The Northwest Territories Council of Leaders is currently in Ottawa to convey a crucial message to the Canadian government: the North holds immense potential and it is imperative for Ottawa to commit to unlocking it. Premier R.J. Simpson emphasized the need to move from discussions about the North to taking tangible action. The delegation from the Council of Leaders, comprising Simpson, Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek, and Indigenous government leaders, held a press conference in Ottawa to underscore their key priorities, which include advancing major projects in the N.W.T.
Three significant projects in focus are the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Taltson Hydro expansion, and the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, designed to link Yellowknife to a new port in Grays Bay, Nunavut. Wawzonek, also responsible for strategic infrastructure, highlighted the importance of working with Ottawa to secure financing for these projects due to the territory’s constraints in managing complex financial arrangements.
Regarding the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, which is on Ottawa’s list of nation-building projects, Wawzonek expressed confidence in the territory’s unique regulatory process involving collaboration with Indigenous governments. She stressed the necessity of finalizing project financing to leverage partnerships for construction. Collaboration with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and Tłı̨chǫ government is underway to determine the road route to the Grays Bay port, followed by the environmental assessment phase.
In addition to project discussions, leaders addressed other critical issues such as unresolved land claims, supporting mining amid diamond mine closures, and managing reductions in Jordan’s Principle funding. Danny Gaudet of the Délı̨nę Got’ınę Government emphasized the importance of resource development that retains economic benefits within the North, contributing to Canada’s economy. The leaders’ visit to Ottawa aimed to demonstrate the potential for collaborative efforts to drive economic growth and prosperity in the North and across Canada.
