Minister Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement today following De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds’ announcement regarding changes to the mine plan at the Gahcho Kué Mine:

“This is serious news for the Northwest Territories. Gahcho Kué is an important employer and economic driver, and any decision that shortens the mine’s operating timeline creates real concern for workers, families, Northern businesses, and communities connected to this operation.

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Mr. Speaker, today, I want to talk about opportunity; opportunity that strengthens communities, creates pathways to employment and entrepreneurship, and positions Northerners to capitalize on the heightened national and international interest in the North. As the Minister of Finance said in yesterday’s Budget Address, a strong Northwest Territories builds a stronger Canada, and that strength begins with our people and the opportunities before them.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is extending targeted property tax relief for diamond mines into the 2026–27 fiscal year to support near-term economic stability for workers, businesses, and northern communities during a period of continued global market and trade uncertainty.

Minister Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement today in response to the Government of Canada’s decision to provide Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) financing to Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd., the operator of the Ekati Diamond Mine:

“Today’s news will come as a relief to many Northerners. Ekati is an important private-sector employer in the Northwest Territories, and this federal decision will help provide support at a difficult time for workers, their families, Northern contractors, and communities that depend on the mine and its supply chain.

The third and final engagement period on the NWT Mineral Resources Act (MRA) regulations is now live. Public feedback is needed on the detailed policy intentions concerning the proposed Mineral Rights Review Board and the transition of existing mineral interests.

Two other engagement windows on the MRA regulations have already occurred, as outlined below:

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement on the Northwest Territories’ participation at the Resourcing Tomorrow Mining Conference in London, United Kingdom:

The GNWT has posted the funding allocation for the Mineral Incentive Program (MIP) 2025/2026 intake period. 15 total projects have received funding, including two Prospector Projects and 13 Corporate Projects:
 

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is developing regulations to bring the NWT Mineral Resources Act (MRA) into effect. Staff are gathering public feedback on the detailed policy intentions concerning Benefit Agreements and socio-economic policy.

This is the second of three public engagements about the MRA Regulations policy this Fall.  The full list of engagements include:

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is developing regulations to bring the Mineral Resources Act (MRA) into effect and is seeking public feedback on the first set of policy intentions. These cover mineral resources administration (rules for exploration, development, and operation of mines), drill cores, and the removal of minerals.

This is the first of three planned engagements on the MRA Regulations over the coming months:

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Mr. Speaker, Happy Small Business Week.  Let us recognize and celebrate the entrepreneurs who drive our economy and enrich our communities.

Small businesses are the backbone of the Northwest Territories. Whether it is recent graduates and newcomers bringing fresh ideas and technologies, Indigenous people keeping cultural traditions strong, or long-time Northerners sharing decades of experience, these businesses reflect the values, cultures and aspirations of the people who live here.