Minister Vince McKay and Minister Caroline Wawzonek issued the following statements today regarding electricity system planning in the Northwest Territories.

Minister Vince McKay, Minister of Infrastructure

“Across the Northwest Territories, residents, businesses, and communities are facing real pressures when it comes to electricity, including rising costs, aging infrastructure, and the need to modernize how our system operates.

Last year, the Government of the Northwest Territories issued a series of policy directions to the Public Utilities Board aimed at strengthening and modernizing the territory’s electricity system.

These directions address a range of issues, including long-term planning, renewable energy integration, fairness for ratepayers, and improving how the system is managed and regulated overall.

One key component of this work is Integrated Power System Planning, which will help support a more coordinated, territory-wide approach to long-term planning.

At the same time, there are other areas where progress can and should continue in parallel, including work to expand renewable energy, improve rate design, and ensure a fair and sustainable electricity system for all customers.

Utilities are now leading engagement with communities and Indigenous governments across the territory, and that input will play an important role in shaping how this work moves forward.

This is about strengthening the overall system, improving coordination, and making sure we are better positioned to meet the needs of communities across the Northwest Territories.”

Minister Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains

“Across the Northwest Territories, residents, businesses, and communities are dealing with rising power costs, aging infrastructure, and increasing concerns about reliability.

These pressures are being felt directly by Northerners and are contributing to broader affordability challenges across the territory.

As the North becomes more important to Canada’s economic and energy future, reliable and affordable energy is more important than ever to strong and resilient Northern communities.

For too long, we have not had a coordinated, long-term approach to planning our electricity system.

We need to be in a stronger position moving forward, and we are taking steps to get there.

Better planning will help us understand where demand is going, make smarter infrastructure investment decisions, and identify practical opportunities for renewable and lower-emission energy sources.

This work is not just about planning infrastructure. It is about making sure Indigenous governments, communities, and Northerners have a meaningful role in shaping how our energy systems evolve.

Better planning and clearer direction will help us manage costs and put the Northwest Territories in a stronger position to advance priority projects and secure federal investment.

Reliable and affordable energy is foundational to strong communities, economic opportunity, and long-term resilience across the Northwest Territories.”