HAY RIVER (October 23, 2013) – The Government of the Northwest Territories will honour the sacrifices of first responders and service men and women by designating a portion of Highway 1 (the Mackenzie Highway) as the NWT’s “Highway of Heroes” on November 8, 2013. The Highway of Heroes will run from the Alberta border to Enterprise.

Transportation Minister David Ramsay says the Highway of Heroes is a nationally-recognized way to acknowledge those men and women who have given their lives in protecting our country and our communities. “Travellers are being given the opportunity to consider and reflect upon the sacrifice of those who have given their lives in the performance of their duty,” he said. “It is a worthy notion to provide this permanent memorial to what their families have lost so that we can gain.”

A ceremony marking the designation will be held on Friday, November 8, at 2:00 p.m near kilometre 83 of Highway 1. Representatives of the Government of Northwest Territories, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Armed Forces and community fire departments will be present as the Highway of Heroes receives its new designation.

For more information:

Earl Blacklock
Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Transportation
Tel:         867-873-7712
Cell:       867-445-3494
Email:    earl_blacklock@gov.nt.ca