Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today in response to the Government of Canada’s announcement on increased defence spending:

“I welcome today’s announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Defence Minister David McGuinty outlining Canada’s plan to meet NATO’s 2% defence spending target this year. This is a meaningful step toward strengthening national security and reaffirming Canada’s commitment to Arctic sovereignty.

As defence investments increase, it’s essential that the North remain a central focus. Yellowknife and Inuvik — both home to Arctic operational support hubs — already play a critical role in asserting Canadian sovereignty and supporting continental defence. These communities have the potential to do even more. Strengthening their infrastructure and capabilities will support national security while delivering benefits for the Northerners who live and work there.

But defending the North takes more than aircraft and personnel. The North is vast — and it takes sustained investment in the infrastructure that makes presence possible across the territory. That includes roads, energy, housing, airstrips, communications networks, and other critical systems that serve both military and civilian needs.

Sovereignty isn’t just a strategic posture — it’s a lived reality. Northerners assert it every day by being here, by building strong communities, and by driving economic development in some of the most challenging and remote environments in the world.

The Government of the Northwest Territories continues to advance strategic, dual-use projects like the Arctic Security Corridor, Taltson Hydro Expansion, and the Mackenzie Valley Highway. These initiatives enhance Canada’s Northern and Arctic capabilities while supporting clean growth, unlocking critical minerals vital to defence supply chains, and advancing Indigenous leadership and partnerships. These are the kinds of investments that protect our security, strengthen our communities, and position Canada for the future.

I’m hopeful that today’s announcement marks the start of a broader shift — one that recognizes that Northern infrastructure is national infrastructure, and that our security and sovereignty depend on the strength of the people and communities who call this region home. This news also comes on the heels of positive conversations in Ottawa last week, where we emphasized the importance of sustained federal investment in Arctic infrastructure, energy, and local capacity.

We look forward to working with our federal and Indigenous partners to ensure Arctic defence spending supports lasting opportunity, shared priorities, and a stronger, more resilient North.”

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