The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Tłı̨chǫ Government (TG) were recognized on the national stage for their partnership on the Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road (TASR), which was awarded at the 2025 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships in the Environmental, Social and Governance category.

Presented by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, the awards celebrated Canada’s most forward-thinking infrastructure projects. The TASR is one of eleven projects from across the country recognized for their innovation, collaboration, and impact on communities.

The 97-kilometre gravel highway connects Highway 3 to the community of Whatì, providing year-round access. Since opening to the public on November 30, 2021, the TASR has improved access to healthcare, education, and essential goods for residents, reduced the cost of living, and opened new opportunities for resource development and tourism in the Tłı̨chǫ region.

The TASR was developed through a public-private partnership between the GNWT and North Star Infrastructure (a partnership of the TG and Kiewit Canada Development Corp.).

The TG holds a 20% equity stake in North Star Infrastructure, making this the first infrastructure P3 in Canada to include an Indigenous government as an equity partner. This partnership model ensures Tłı̨chǫ communities have a voice, reflects Tłı̨chǫ values and priorities, and allows communities to share in the long-term benefits of the project.The project also features a first-of-its-kind climate change risk-sharing mechanism, designed to address the challenges of building and maintaining infrastructure in northern permafrost conditions. This innovative approach was recognized for its contribution to sustainable and resilient northern development.

Winners of the 2025 CCPPP National Awards were announced on October 28, 2025 in Toronto.

Quotes

“This project represents what can be achieved through partnership and innovation. The Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road not only connects communities, it creates lasting opportunities for training, employment, and new opportunities for Northerners, while ensuring the Tłı̨chǫ community have a strong role in building and maintaining critical northern infrastructure.”

- Vince McKay, Minister of Infrastructure

“The Tlicho Government is very proud of our successful partnership with the GNWT to build this multi award-winning highway project. The Tlicho Highway project was completed on budget, one year ahead of schedule, and includes one of the first ever equity investments in a P3 project by an Indigenous government in Canada. We are looking forward to investing further on Nation Building Infrastructure projects that benefit our Tłı̨chǫ citizens, businesses, communities, and the NWT.”

 - Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, Tłı̨chǫ Government

Quick Facts:

• 97-kilometre, two-lane gravel road connecting Highway 3 to Whatì.
• Jointly funded by the GNWT (75%) and the Government of Canada (25%).
• Capital cost: approximately $200 million.
• Delivered through a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOM) model.
• Created significant local employment and training opportunities for Tłı̨chǫ residents.
• The first P3 project in Canada to include an Indigenous government as an equity partner.

Related links

• www.inf.gov.nt.ca/en/dehke-frank-channel-bridge
• https://www.pppcouncil.ca/what-do-we-do/national-awards/national-award-winners-(projects)   

For media requests, please contact:
Department of Infrastructure
Government of the Northwest Territories
INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca