Premier R.J. Simpson today announced the creation of a new Associate Deputy Minister position within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) to strengthen the Government of the Northwest Territories’ economic strategy and help Northerners capture emerging economic opportunities.

Melissa Cyr will serve as Associate Deputy Minister, Economic Strategy and Policy, a role focused on coordinating economic policy across government, advancing a strategy to encourage growth and investment in the Northwest Territories, and supporting workforce transition.

The new position comes at a pivotal time for the Northwest Territories economy. Residents are facing pressures from changes in the diamond sector, the impending end of operations by Imperial Oil in Norman Wells, and broader structural shifts affecting key industries. At the same time, the territory is entering a period of unprecedented opportunity as major infrastructure initiatives and federal investments aimed at strengthening Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, security, and economic resilience begin to take shape.

Recent federal announcements, including the referral of several major Northwest Territories projects to the Major Projects Office following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Yellowknife last week, signal growing national recognition of the North’s strategic importance. These developments create new opportunities to attract investment, strengthen supply chains, and expand workforce participation across the territory.

They also require stronger coordination across government and a clear focus on workforce development, economic planning, and long-term competitiveness.

The new Associate Deputy Minister role will help ensure the Government of the Northwest Territories is ready to meet the moment. Working across departments and with Indigenous governments, industry, and federal partners, the role will lead the development of a comprehensive economic strategy aimed at capturing the benefits of major infrastructure investments while strengthening long-term economic resilience and competitiveness.

Melissa Cyr brings more than two decades of experience in economic development, trade, and public policy to the role. She has served as Assistant Deputy Minister of Economic Development since 2023 and previously held senior positions within the Government of the Northwest Territories, including Director of Business Support and Trade, Director of Strategic Operations in the Premier’s Office, and Ministerial Special Advisor within ITI and Infrastructure. Earlier in her career, she worked internationally with the Government of Canada as a Trade Commissioner and Consul, contributing to Canada’s international trade and economic development efforts.

Quote

“The Northwest Territories is facing real economic challenges today, and those pressures have been building for some time. At the same time, we are entering a period of significant opportunity.

Major infrastructure investments, growing interest in Canada’s North, and renewed federal focus on Arctic sovereignty and security are creating possibilities that did not exist a few years ago. Our focus as a government is to make sure those developments translate into new opportunities for Northerners.

That means supporting businesses, preparing our workforce, and making sure the right infrastructure and policies are in place to attract investment and grow our economy.

This new role will help ensure our public service is aligned, focused, and ready to do that work. Melissa brings extensive experience in economic development, government operations, and international trade, and her leadership will help position the Northwest Territories to navigate current challenges while building a stronger economy for the future.”

   - R.J. Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories

Quick Facts

• The Associate Deputy Minister, Economic Policy and Strategy will lead the development of a 5–10 year territorial economic strategy focused on growth, diversification, and investment attraction.
• The role will coordinate economic policy across multiple departments, including Finance, Infrastructure, Education, Culture and Employment, Environment and Climate Change, and Housing NWT.
• The position will also support engagement with industry, Indigenous governments, municipalities, and investors to strengthen economic partnerships and confidence in the Northwest Territories.

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