The Northwest Territories (NWT) Community Planning Framework has been named a finalist for the 2026 Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence. Released in September 2025, the NWT Community Planning Framework encourages the use of community planning tools to engage residents, build local capacity, and support development goals, while considering relationships across economic development, climate change, housing, healthy communities, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

The Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence are awarded by the Canadian Institute of Planners. This is a members-based organization for professional planners who work in land use planning, environmental resource management, land development, heritage conservation, social planning, transportation planning, and economic development.

The Awards celebrate projects that demonstrate innovation in planning, positively impact the profession and the public interest, have strong implementation potential, and stand out for the quality of their content and presentation. Learn about all the finalists here: Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence 2026 Finalists.

The winners of the 2026 Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence will be announced at the Canadian Institute of Planners and l'Ordre des urbanistes du Québec 2026 National Planning Conference in July.

Quote:

“The GNWT is committed to supporting community governments to develop sustainable land use plans that meet the needs of residents and strategically address the challenges of a changing climate. I value the contributions from professional planners and I am proud of the work of GNWT staff and our partnership with the NWT Association of Communities and community governments to develop resources to support community governments with land use planning.”

  - Vince McKay, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

Quick facts

• In the NWT, the Community Planning and Development Act and regulations provide the legislative framework for the process and tools that guide community land use planning and development.  
• Community Governments in the NWT are required to retain professional community planners and are responsible for initiating and funding the review of their land use planning tools through their capital planning process.
• The NWT Community Planning Framework is accompanied by a series of guides, including the Accessibility and Age-Friendly Design Considerations, Archaeological Site Management and Protection, Best Practices for Municipal Public Engagement, Climate Change and Land Use Planning, Community Civic Addressing, Planning in Flood Hazard Areas Guide, and Understanding the GNWT’s Duty to Consult.
• The NWT Community Planning Framework was developed with support from the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and community governments.

Related links

• Canadian Institute of Planners
• Community Land Use Planning and Development
• Community Planning in the NWT

For media requests, please contact:
Peter Tah
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
Peter_Tah@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9162 ext. 21012