Norway’s Bulk seeks Canadian partner to bypass US with $620M subsea cable
Norway’s Bulk Infrastructure Group is reportedly in talks to secure a Canadian partner to majority-own the Leif Erikson subsea cable, a $620 million project designed to connect Europe and Canada while avoiding US networks. The project faces regulatory, funding, and Indigenous community challenges, but has drawn interest from Canadian government entities and telecom providers.
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30 SEC SUMMARY
- Norway’s Bulk Infrastructure Group is seeking a Canadian partner to majority-own the Leif Erikson subsea cable, a $620M project connecting Europe and Canada while bypassing the US.
- The project aims to address Canada’s reliance on US networks for data and voice traffic, a concern amplified by regulatory and national security risks.
- The 4,600km cable would land in Newfoundland and Labrador, then run underground to Montreal, but faces funding, regulatory, and Indigenous community support challenges.
- Canadian government entities and telecom providers have expressed interest, but no formal partnership has been finalized.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Bulk Infrastructure Group is seeking a Canadian partner to own the majority of the Leif Erikson subsea cable, which would bypass the US.
- The project is estimated to cost over $620 million and would span 4,600km across the Atlantic, landing in Newfoundland and Labrador before running underground to Montreal.
- Regulatory hurdles, funding gaps, and the need for Indigenous community support remain key challenges for the project.
- Canada’s Major Projects Office, government investment vehicles, and major telecom providers have engaged with Bulk about the project.
- BGO, a subsidiary of Sun Life Financial, already owns 65% of Bulk Infrastructure Group.
- The EU and Canada plan to study new subsea links between Europe, Canada, and Asia.
Norway’s Bulk seeks Canadian majority partner for Leif Erikson cable
According to The Next Web, Norway’s Bulk Infrastructure Group is in discussions to secure a Canadian partner to own the majority of the Leif Erikson subsea cable. The project aims to connect Europe and Canada while bypassing the US, addressing concerns over Canada’s reliance on US networks for data and voice traffic.
The Leif Erikson cable would span 4,600km across the Atlantic, starting in Norway and landing at Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador. From there, it would run approximately 1,900km underground through Quebec to Montreal. Vendors have already signed on, but the project still requires further studies backed by the EU and Canada.
Regulatory, funding, and community challenges
The project faces significant hurdles, including permitting challenges for the land route and the need to secure support from Indigenous communities in Canada. The estimated cost exceeds $620 million, and Bulk is seeking funding and customers to move forward.
In December 2025, Bulk reportedly partnered with Innu Development Limited Partnership and BlockLAB, though the status of these partnerships remains unclear. The project has attracted interest from Canada’s Major Projects Office, government investment vehicles, and major telecom providers like Rogers, Telus, and BCE.
Canada’s subsea cable landscape and geopolitical context
Canada currently has few subsea cables that avoid US networks, and none are Canadian-owned. This gap has drawn attention from policymakers, particularly amid concerns over data sovereignty and US regulatory risks. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has reportedly reviewed the risks associated with Canada’s data passing through US networks.
The EU and Canada have agreed to study new subsea links between Europe, Canada, and Asia, reflecting broader efforts to diversify digital infrastructure. Google’s Topaz cable, which connects Canada and Japan, is the most recent subsea cable project in the region, but it is not Canadian-owned.
Bulk’s ownership and investment background
Bulk Infrastructure Group is majority-owned by BGO, a subsidiary of Sun Life Financial, which acquired a 65% stake in 2020. The company has positioned the Leif Erikson cable as a sovereign alternative to existing subsea routes, though it remains unclear whether a formal Canadian partner will emerge.
What this means
Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.
For founders and operators in digital infrastructure, the Leif Erikson cable highlights the growing demand for sovereign data networks—especially in regions where geopolitical risks or regulatory dependencies create vulnerabilities. The project’s challenges—funding, regulatory approvals, and community engagement—also underscore how even well-funded infrastructure plays can stall without local alignment. If successful, the cable could offer a template for cross-border partnerships that address data sovereignty, but its progress will depend on whether Canadian stakeholders see enough value to commit capital and political capital. For now, it’s a reminder that infrastructure investments often hinge on more than technical feasibility: they require navigating complex webs of local, national, and international interests.
Key takeaways
- Sovereign data infrastructure is gaining traction as governments and companies seek alternatives to US-centric networks, but local partnerships are critical to progress.
- Regulatory and Indigenous community engagement can make or break large-scale infrastructure projects, even with strong technical and financial backing.
- Funding gaps and customer acquisition remain major obstacles for subsea cable projects, even those with geopolitical tailwinds.
- Cross-border infrastructure partnerships require alignment on ownership, governance, and risk-sharing—expect lengthy negotiations before deals close.
FAQ
Why is Bulk Infrastructure Group seeking a Canadian partner?
Bulk wants a Canadian partner to majority-own the Leif Erikson cable to address regulatory and geopolitical concerns, secure local support, and align with Canada’s interest in sovereign data infrastructure.
What are the biggest challenges for the Leif Erikson cable?
The project faces regulatory hurdles, funding gaps, and the need to secure support from Indigenous communities for the land route in Canada.
How does this project benefit Canada?
The cable would reduce Canada’s reliance on US networks for data and voice traffic, addressing national security concerns and providing a Canadian-owned alternative for subsea connectivity.
Are there other subsea cables bypassing the US in Canada?
Canada has few subsea cables that avoid the US, and none are Canadian-owned. Google’s Topaz cable, connecting Canada and Japan, is the most recent but is not Canadian-controlled.
Related on Lazyfounder
Sources
- The Next Web · 2026-10-19
Norway’s Bulk reportedly seeks Canadian owner for cable bypassing US
This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.
About the author
Editor, Lazyfounder
Tarun Mottlia edits LazyFounders, covering Indian startups, funding rounds, AI and product launches. Every story on the site is AI-assisted and checked against its cited sources before publication.
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