YELLOWKNIFE (October 14, 2014) – The Mackenzie Valley Fiberoptic Link (MVFL) took another positive step today with the announcement by Finance Minister J. Michael Miltenberger that the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the K’ahsho Got’ine District have signed an agreement to allow for the construction and operation of the project.

“The signing of the agreement today demonstrates the benefits of a strong working relationship between the GNWT and the K’ahsho Got’ine District (KGD),” said KGD Land Corporation President Edwin Erutse.

“With the majority of the installation occurring within the existing right-of-way, the significant link for the project was linking the section between Fort Good Hope and Inuvik,” said Minister Miltenberger. “Reaching an agreement with the K’ahsho Got’ine District is an important milestone in the development of the MVFL project, and demonstrates the K’ahsho Got’ine share in the vision of a prosperous NWT.”

In July 2014 the GNWT selected Northern Lights Fibre Limited Partnership (Northern Lights) as the preferred proponent to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the MVFL.  The GNWT and Northern Lights will continue to work closely with communities along the Mackenzie Valley to discuss project benefits and opportunities and with environmental regulatory authorities to ensure environmental requirements are met.

The GNWT planned in-service date for the MVFL of mid-2016 would see construction starting in early January 2015. The project anticipates applying to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board for permitting this month.

The MVFL will provide state of the art communication infrastructure through the Mackenzie Valley. It will provide new opportunities for businesses, including in the e-commerce and high-tech sectors, and will allow for the expansion of the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility, a leader in remote data sensing with international clients. The MVFL will also support more efficient and effective delivery of government services and programs such as telehealth and education to the communities it will connect.

For more information:

Edwin Erutse
President
K’ahsho Got’ine Lands Corporation
Tel: (867)598-2519

or

Sean Craig
Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 873-7124