Smaller Road Accessible Communities

Many NWT communities have year round all-season road access. These communities range in size from 36 to 1,000 residents; which means there are fewer amenities available compared to larger communities in southern Canada.  Smaller road accessible communities are found from the southern parts of the Northwest Territories, within 50KMs of the British Columbia border, all the way to the shores of the Beaufort Sea.  From Tuktoyaktuk, the most northern community with all-season road access, it is a 3,400KM drive via the Dempster Highway through the Yukon Territory and British Columbia to Edmonton.  Given the remote location of some communities the cost of living is higher than other parts of Canada.  The Government of Northwest Territories provides a Northern Living Allowance to employees to help offset the cost of living in the NWT.