In partnership with Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR), the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program is providing $1.9 million in 2026-27 to support 26 new or ongoing cumulative impact monitoring and research projects.

As part of this funding, POLAR is providing $600,000 to support the Road Development Impacts (RDI) initiative. The initiative, implemented by the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, will fund six RDI projects, with POLAR contributing a total of $1.8 million over three years. This collaborative effort will improve understanding of cumulative impacts from road development on caribou, water and fish and will inform best practices for mitigating these impacts.  Participants in the three-year funding initiative will work together to develop new knowledge and information that can provide guidance for ongoing environmental assessments and regulatory processes involving all-season and winter road construction in the NWT. That information will be used by planners, decision-makers and local communities. Funding recipients for the Road Development Impacts projects include Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, universities, and territorial government institutions.  Successful Road Development Impacts projects will receive up to $100,000 per project per year for up to three years.

In addition to the six Road Development Impacts projects, the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program is funding 20 new and ongoing projects in 2026-27 that address key cumulative impact monitoring priorities for caribou, water and/or fish. Of the 26 projects funded, six are focused on Traditional Knowledge, 18 are science-focused, and two combine Traditional Knowledge and western science.

Successful funding recipients will receive approximately $70,000 per year for up to three years. Projects will provide valuable knowledge for resource managers, governments and communities to inform decision-making regarding natural resource management.

Quotations

“These monitoring and research projects help us to better understand environmental changes impacting caribou, water, and fish, which are fundamental to maintaining our traditional cultures and ways of life in the territory. The specialized focus and support for projects dedicated to researching road development impacts prepares us for the future and will allow us to be more informed as we work to maintain strict environmental standards while furthering our commitment to improving the regulatory landscape in the Northwest Territories.  The partnership between the GNWT’s Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program and Polar Knowledge Canada is incredibly impactful, and the funding helps support continued effective decision-making in the NWT, making use of all knowledge types.”

• The Honourable Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change for the Northwest Territories

“Our government is proud to enable passionate Arctic researchers, who advance understanding of the North and its unique environmental challenges.  I am pleased to congratulate all funding recipients, and to highlight the importance of centering Indigenous voices and knowledge in the future of Arctic science. This initiative will make a meaningful contribution to managing the impacts of road development, as well as cumulative impact monitoring and research across the Northwest Territories.”

• The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

“Investing in Arctic research helps protect the ecosystems and ways of life that northern communities rely on. The development of roads can affect deeply interconnected ecosystems by changing how animals move, how water flows and fish habitats are connected, but these impacts can be reduced with the right knowledge and approaches. By supporting Indigenous leadership and collaboration, this initiative will improve our understanding of these impacts and guide responsible stewardship of the Northwest Territories’ lands and waters for generations to come.” 

• The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

Quick facts

• For 2026-27, the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, also referred to as CIMP, is distributing $1.9 million in funding to 26 projects.  This includes $600, 000 as part of the Road Development Initiative, from POLAR.
  • Through the Road Development Impacts initiative– six projects are starting this year; POLAR is contributing $1.8M over three years to these six projects.
  • The Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program is funding six new projects that are starting this year. Five projects are mid-term, and nine projects are in their final year.
• Recommendations on all project funding were made by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from Indigenous, federal and territorial governments and co-management boards.
• A list of all 2026-27 funded projects and intended outcomes is available here.

Related links

• For more information on the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program please visit: https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/nwt-cumulative-impact-monitoring-program-nwt-cimp
• For more information on project results, please visit: https://nwtdiscoveryportal.enr.gov.nt.ca/geoportal/catalog/main/home.page
• For more information on Polar Knowledge Canada, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/polar-knowledge/behindthescenes.html

For media requests, please contact:

Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
ECC_Communications@gov.nt.ca

Polar Knowledge Canada
communications@polar-polaire.gc.ca