Shaping Canada’s Future, One Idea at a Time

The 2025 Case Challenge

Forging Canada’s Future, One Idea at a Time

The Canadian Arctic is becoming one of the most strategically important regions in the world. Melting sea ice is opening new shipping windows through the Northwest Passage, creating potential for faster global trade routes between Asia, Europe, and North America. Beneath the permafrost lie critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition. Northern communities are adapting to rapid climate change while leading important conversations about sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and economic self determination.

The 2025 case asked teams to design a twenty year strategy for a new public–private partnership that could:

• Expand northern infrastructure such as deep water ports, shipping corridors, digital connectivity, and clean energy
• Strengthen Canadian sovereignty and security in the Arctic
• Support Indigenous co ownership, governance, and long term economic opportunityy
• Enable sustainable resource development including critical minerals
• Protect fragile ecosystems and respond to accelerating climate impacts
• Improve affordability, mobility, and quality of life for northern residents
• Position Canada as a responsible Arctic power amid rising international interest

Teams were challenged to propose bold ideas that balanced ambition with responsibility and delivered real, achievable progress for Canada and the North.