Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is at the heart of several transformative projects that are vital not only to our territory’s future, but to Canada’s strength, security, and prosperity.

The Government of the Northwest Territories’ major infrastructure initiatives are nation-building in scale and critical to Canada’s long-term presence and leadership in the Arctic. Together, they unlock access to critical minerals, deliver clean and reliable power, and create resilient North–South transportation links that strengthen sovereignty, emergency preparedness, and supply chains, while creating new opportunities for Northerners. Each project is being advanced in partnership with Indigenous governments, offering a model of collaborative northern development.

Mr. Speaker, in September, the Prime Minister announced the first round of Projects of National Interest and strategic areas of focus under Canada’s new approach to advancing transformative infrastructure. The Prime Minister also established the Major Projects Office and directed them to create business development teams to work with proponents to make these projects of national interest a success.

One of the named areas of strategic focus is the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, a project described by the federal government as a “strategic lifeline” and “a backbone for both security and prosperity”.

This level of national attention and awareness on matching the progress of other circumpolar countries is long overdue. Now that the opportunity has come, we must maximize this chance to truly make the dream of Canada as “the true north” a reality.

I am pleased to report that staff from the Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains team have already met with the Major Projects Office and my office has a meeting scheduled in early November. With strong and consistent engagement, we will be well positioned to take advantage of this federal initiative and advance key strategic projects for the Northwest Territories.

The Arctic Economic and Security Corridor is a nation-building initiative that will strengthen sovereignty, open access to critical minerals, and create an all-season, dual-use, port-to-port-to-port infrastructure corridor connecting the Northwest Territories to Nunavut’s Arctic coast via the planned Grays Bay Road and Port.  In partnership with Indigenous governments and specifically noted in the 6th Tłı̨chǫ Assembly Priorities 2026-2030, this project represents an opportunity to deliver long-term economic value to the North, and to show how impactful a focus on Canada’s Arctic can be in shaping Canada’s prosperity.

Supporting and enabling the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor is the Taltson Hydro Expansion. A clean energy and transmission project that will deliver reliable renewable power to 11 communities, serving over 70 percent of the NWT’s population. Taltson will reduce reliance on imported diesel, advance Indigenous economic participation through equity and ownership opportunities, and provide the clean energy needed to power new industry and future industrial development both south of Great Slave Lake and along the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor.  Federal partnership will be essential to co-develop a funding and financing model and to address legacy impacts from the original project through a reconciliation lens.

Rounding out Northwest Territories’ strategic projects is the Mackenzie Valley Highway. This is an essential all-season route that will connect communities along the NWT’s central region, strengthen Canadian sovereignty, and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities. This highway will enhance year-round access for communities, improve emergency response, and open new opportunities for northern businesses and mineral resource development across the Mackenzie Valley.  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that just last week, the Pehdzéh Ki First Nation and the GNWT announced a workplan that allows us to collaboratively explore potential corridor and routing options through Pehdzéh Ki First Nations traditional territory. The agreement establishes a clear framework for collaboration, outlines activities and milestones, and sets out how both parties will work together to ensure traditional knowledge, local input, and community priorities inform any future planning and decision-making.

Under the Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding for Collaboration on the Advancement of the Makenzie Valley Highway, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated are also working together to move this nation-building infrastructure forward. Through quarterly meetings, the partners are actively advancing project planning, including completion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway Business Case, early discussions on financing and federal engagement, and strategic use of existing funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund. This collaborative approach is laying the groundwork for unlocking economic potential, improving connectivity, and strengthening northern resilience.

Mr. Speaker, these projects represent a unified vision for the North but the onus to make them a reality cannot be on Northerners alone. Both Canada and the Northwest Territories must remain equal leaders in advancing this work to safeguard our nation’s strategic interests in the North.

This vision of connecting Canada’s North will be built through collaboration, sustainability, and shared prosperity. This is the foundation for a stronger, more connected, and more resilient Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.