The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the City of Yellowknife (City) are prioritizing work on the transfer of the Frame Lake land parcel to the City, supporting the City’s long-term planning and community development objectives. This parcel is one of the priority land transfer initiatives outlined in the Memorandum of Collaboration (Memorandum) signed between ECC and the City. The Memorandum targets the transfer of specific parcels as individual transactions.  This allows for bylaw development, budgeting and surveying at localized and more cost-effective scales.

The transfer is progressing through the final stages of the land administration process. A land sale agreement has been prepared and is in the process of being signed by all parties. The City is also planning to complete a legal survey of the parcel this fall, which is a key step before the transfer can be finalized.  Before the transfer process can be completed, the City must also pass a land acquisition bylaw and ensure the parcel's intended use aligns with the City's Community Plan and applicable zoning requirements. The updated Community Plan is currently moving through the approval process, with first reading August 26, 2026, followed by a public hearing tentatively the second week of September and further Council consideration in September.

Once all legislative and administrative requirements have been met, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Crown, is responsible for granting the parcel to the City. The Land Titles Office will issue a certificate of title to the City, formally completing the transfer.

Quotes

“The transfer of the Frame Lake land parcel is an important milestone in fulfilling our commitments to increase the supply of land for housing throughout the territory. This was made possible thanks to additional capacity in our Land Management division and our work to prioritize land applications for housing. The transfer also supports the City of Yellowknife’s long-term planning objectives and helps ensure we are ready as a territory for the opportunities of tomorrow. Land transfers like this one directly support our government’s mandate of providing more homes for Northerners.  We will continue to work with the City to ensure all required steps are taken to finalize the transfer.”

  - The Honourable Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Yellowknife has many opportunities ahead as our community continues to experience population and economic growth. Access to developable land provides greater ability to plan for that growth, from housing, commercial and mixed-use development to infrastructure and services, while creating new economic opportunities for everyone who call these lands home. Frame Lake represents an important opportunity to expand that capacity and support thoughtful, sustainable growth for our community. We are excited to see this work moving forward and we appreciate the partnership of the GNWT and all partners who have supported the City to get us to this point. By continuing to work together, we all ensure Yellowknife has the land needed to respond to the opportunities ahead and plan for the future.”

  - Mayor, City of Yellowknife, Mayor Ben Hendriksen

Quick facts

• The GNWT and the City of Yellowknife are working together on the transfer of the Frame Lake parcel to the City.
• The Frame Lake land parcel is one of the priority land transfer initiatives outlined in the Memorandum of Collaboration (Memorandum) signed between the GNWT and the City on June 6, 2025.
• A land sale agreement has been prepared and is in the process of being signed by all parties.
• The City plans to complete a legal survey of the parcel in September and October 2026.
• Consultation and engagement activities have been completed with Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, and other affected parties.
• The transfer must meet all legislative, administrative, survey, and registration requirements before it can be finalized.
• The transfer of this parcel is subject to the Capital Area Plan, as part of By-Law No. 4940, as amended, of the City of Yellowknife. 

Related links

•   Process Guide Transfer of Public Land to Communities

For media requests, please contact:
ECC Communications
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
ECC_Communications@gov.nt.ca