Members of the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders met with federal ministers and parliamentary secretaries in Ottawa last week to advance shared northern priorities, make the case for major infrastructure investments and strengthen partnerships with the federal government.

Over two days, Council members met with federal ministers responsible for transport, internal trade, intergovernmental affairs, Crown-Indigenous relations, health, northern and Arctic affairs, Indigenous services, environment and climate change, public safety, emergency management, housing and infrastructure, and foreign affairs. They also met with parliamentary secretary responsible for housing and infrastructure, as well as representatives of the federal Major Projects Office.

Discussions included the need for ongoing health care support, with a renewed federal-territorial health agreement and 16 health infrastructure projects announced on October 5; and concerns over climate change impacts across the territory, with the announcement that the Mackenzie River had been nominated to be designated as a Canadian Heritage River. Council members also highlighted the need for federal departments and agencies to better understand northern governance structures, political realities and relationships between governments.

This is the third year the Council has travelled to Ottawa, bringing a united voice to shared priorities while creating opportunities for individual Indigenous governments and organizations to advance their own priorities directly with federal decision-makers.

Advancing major infrastructure projects

A focus of the mission was the need for strategic infrastructure to support economic development, strengthen Arctic security and improve connections within the Northwest Territories and to the rest of Canada.

Council members reiterated their support for three major projects: the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project. Together, these projects would improve access to remote regions and increase the territory’s hydroelectric capacity.=

Council members emphasized that advancing these projects will require sustained federal investment and partnership, alongside the leadership and participation of Indigenous governments.

Quote

“When territorial and Indigenous leaders come together and speak with one voice, we send a clear message about what the North needs and what we can achieve by working together.

Our focus is on the wellbeing of all our residents and making sure people have access to opportunities, homes, health care and education. The North has faced decades of underinvestment, but we’re at a point where there’s a real opportunity to change that. With the right infrastructure and partnerships in place, we can build a stronger future for our communities, improve services for Northerners and make an even greater contribution to Canada.”

 - R.J. Simpson, Chair of the NWT Council of Leaders and Premier of the Northwest Territories

Quick Facts

• The Council of Leaders was established in 2021 through a memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous governments across the territory.
• The Council of Leaders provides a forum for governments to work together on shared priorities while respecting each government’s distinct mandate and responsibilities.
• Signatories to the MOU are Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Akaitcho Dene First Nations, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government, Government of the Northwest Territories, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Nahanni Butte Dene Band, North Slave Métis Alliance, NWT Métis Nation, Salt River First Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Tłı̨chǫ Government, and Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

For media requests, please contact:
Press Secretary
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
Email: PressSecretary@gov.nt.ca