Yellowknife — November 9, 2020
Infrastructure projects will play a significant role in the economic recovery of the Northwest Territories post-COVID-19. These Estimates inject money into the economy and provide business and employment opportunities for residents, while delivering the critical infrastructure the NWT needs to provide important programs and services.
Members of the Legislative Assembly approved the $451 million Capital Estimates for the 2021-22 fiscal year. This includes money for critical infrastructure projects in communities across the NWT. This budget includes additional investment in schools, housing, energy infrastructure and roads.
These projects will provide revenue for NWT businesses and jobs for NWT residents. Infrastructure spending continues to be an important way the GNWT helps the territory recover from the economic effects of COVID-19.
Every year, the GNWT invests in infrastructure like public housing units, schools and health centres that help us serve NWT residents. The GNWT also invests in improvements and upgrades to transportation infrastructure like roads and airports that connect our people and communities.
The Capital Estimates include $163 million in support from the Government of Canada through various infrastructure programs, including $80.7 million from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan, $39 million from the Nation Trade Corridors Fund and $18 million from the Building Canada Plan.
QUOTES:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our economy. However, as Northerners, we are resilient, and our government is committed to investing in our people and businesses. This is one of the largest capital investments in the history of the territory, and we acknowledge that the health and well-being of all communities and residents is best served by maintaining a stable economic environment. We will continue to focus on our economic recovery, how we preserve business, and ensure as much of this investment stays in the Northwest Territories.”
-Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories
“By investing in large-scale infrastructure projects we are able to help bridge the substantial infrastructure gap that exists here in the NWT, as well as kick-start the territory’s economic recovery. Creating jobs for our residents, offering opportunities for Northern businesses and injecting much-needed capital into our communities are critical steps in ensuring we emerge from this pandemic with a strong economy and healthy communities.”
-Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Finance
Infrastructure Plan Highlights:
- $188.6 million for highways, winter roads, bridges and culverts. This includes funding of $61.3 million to continue the Tłı̨chǫ All-season Road project, $23.5 million for Great Bear River Bridge and a total of $18.5 million to advance the environmental and planning work for the Mackenzie Valley and Slave Geologic Province All-season roads.
- $41.8 million for various energy projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan, including $5 million to continue the planning work on the Taltson Hydro Expansion project.
- $29 million for the replacement and renovations to existing schools, including $16.4 million for the Ecole J.H. Sissons school replacement project and $8.1 million to complete the work on the Mangilaluk school in Tuktoyaktuk.
- $29 million in continued funding to support community governments with their infrastructure needs;
Quick facts:
- The GNWT’s plan for infrastructure spending is called the “Capital Estimates”.
- The GNWT’s plan for operations spending is called the “Main Estimates”. The Main estimates will be debated by MLAs in the winter session.
- Combined, the Capital Estimates and the Main Estimates make up the GNWT’s budget.
- The GNWT published information about the budget cycle and development process, and prepared a one-page summary of How the Budget Works.
For more information, please contact:
Todd Sasaki
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories