Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today following last week’s federal engagement meetings in Ottawa:

“Last week, I travelled to Ottawa alongside Ministers Caroline Wawzonek, Lesa Semmler, and Caitlin Cleveland, and senior GNWT officials, including our Senior Envoy to the Government of Canada. Together, we brought a clear and united message: the North is ready to deliver for Canada, and we’re ready to work in partnership to make it happen.

We weren’t alone in carrying that message. Leaders from several Indigenous governments were also in Ottawa, including Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty (Tłı̨chǫ Government), Ɂek’wahtı̨dǝ́ Danny Gaudet (Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government), and Chief Ernest Betsina (Yellowknives Dene First Nation). We were grateful for the invitation to join them in advocating for shared Northern priorities. Their presence reinforced a powerful truth: across governments, we are increasingly aligned in our vision for a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient future — and we are asking the federal government to walk alongside us as partners. We look forward to continuing to build and strengthen these partnerships in the months ahead.

Throughout the week, we met with more than a dozen federal Ministers and senior officials across key portfolios — including the Department of Finance; Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada; Indigenous Services Canada; Transport Canada; Natural Resources Canada; Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada; and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor). These conversations were productive, forward-looking, and marked by a shared understanding that Northern challenges require Northern solutions.

Our priorities reflect both the realities of the North and the opportunities ahead. These include:

• Strategic infrastructure, including the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Arctic Security Corridor;
• Clean energy investments, such as the Taltson Hydro Expansion;
• Major investments in housing, including transitional, supportive, and public housing that address core needs while advancing reconciliation and community safety;
• Emergency and climate resilience funding, tailored to Northern realities; and
• Support for critical minerals exploration and development, through Indigenous partnership, enabling infrastructure, and targeted tax incentives.

We also made it clear that reconciliation must be reflected in how programs like Jordan’s Principle are funded and delivered. Recent cuts to the program are putting services — and children’s futures — at risk. We called for urgent federal action to protect these essential supports, and were encouraged by the commitment we received from federal Ministers to work with us on a solution.

While in Ottawa, I also released a national op-ed in The Hub titled “The North is ready. Let’s build what Canada needs.”, and appeared on the CBC’s Power & Politics with David Cochrane to reinforce our message. My Cabinet colleagues and I also spoke with outlets like The Globe and Mail, Politico, and The Hill Times as part of our broader effort to raise the North’s profile and push for progress.

I want to thank Prime Minister Carney for taking the time to meet with me one-on-one, and for his thoughtful, engaged approach. The signals from this new federal government have been positive — there is clear recognition that the North’s circumstances are unique, and that lasting solutions must be built through true partnership with Indigenous and territorial governments.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is ready to work with all partners to deliver real results for Northerners — and for Canada as a whole. The opportunity is here. Let’s build on it.”

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