NWT leaders, in Ottawa, discuss cost and timeline for major projects

Leaders in the Northwest Territories want Ottawa’s new Major Projects Office to help determine the cost of nation-building infrastructure projects in the territory.

At a press conference in Ottawa on Tuesday morning, territorial and Indigenous leaders told reporters the territory needed the federal government’s support to advance major infrastructure projects including the proposed Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, Mackenzie Valley Highway and Taltson hydro expansion.

The meeting was attended by Premier RJ Simpson, Ɂek’wahtı̨dǝ́ Danny Gaudet of the Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government, Chief Ernest Betsina of Yellowknives Dene First Nation, President Garry Bailey of Northwest Territory Métis Nation and deputy premier Caroline Wawzonek.

The Arctic Economic and Security Corridor was included on a secondary priority list announced by the federal government last month. Asked about the project’s timeline, Wawzonek said it is too early to set a date but emphasized the urgency of getting work under way.

She said the first step would be determining the route collaboratively – which Betsina added was important to preserve and protect caribou migration – followed by moving the project through the evaluation process and environmental review boards.

“Right now, we’re in a good bucket. I mean, we’re a small government. We’re a small territory. We have a huge administrative region, but we don’t necessarily have the capacity to be developing complex financial arrangements,” she said.

“One of the things we do need to do is go to the Major Projects Office and take them and put them to work in helping us to figure out what, exactly, the costing would be.”

Wawzonek noted that while roads and other projects have been constructed in pieces over time, nothing has been done on a scale that truly constitutes nation-building.

“The next question is going to be figuring out the financing of these projects, because it can’t be on the backs of 45,000 Canadians to support Arctic security or to unlock the wealth of the North. That has to come from somewhere beyond our borders,” she said.

Betsina said the infrastructure projects could also create job opportunities for local workers once the mines close.

“We need to start work on this sooner rather than later. We need to start talking to the federal government, the GNWT,” he said.

Simpson said he also plans to discuss rising drug and organized crime and bail reform with federal ministers.

The dignitaries are expected to meet with NWT MP Rebecca Alty on Wednesday.

‘Speak to us before you cut what you’re doing’

For months, the NWT has been grappling with the consequences of a significant shift in the way federal funding is delivered through the Jordan’s Principle program.

Ottawa has cut back some uses of Jordan’s Principle, saying demand had increased and changes had to be made to ensure its sustainability.

On Tuesday, Gaudet said Jordan’s Principle funding supports the territory’s schools by placing additional teachers in classrooms – noting that some students have disabilities and, in certain cases, one teacher is assigned to support a single student.

In Délı̨nę, he said 12 teachers have to be laid off due to this year’s changes.

“Now to qualify, to apply [for Jordan’s Principle funding], you’ve actually got to get diagnosed by a specialist. Well, we have no specialists in 1,000 miles near us, right?” he said.

“How do we get our people diagnosed without spending a bunch of money to get them diagnosed, just to get them to qualify? It’s gone really to the extreme where we’re fighting back.”

Gaudet explained the program had helped cover essentials like food and home supports for people with disabilities – including specialized beds and wheelchairs – but new rules now require individuals to apply directly.

He said the new requirement creates additional challenges for people without internet access or those who may not have the computer skills or understanding needed to complete the application.

“Speak to us about that before you just simply cut what you’re doing with Jordan’s Principle. It’s affecting a lot of families,” he said.

“It’s causing a lot of problems. We’ll see what happens. I mean, the budget’s still got to come forth, and we’re saying no, like, don’t do it. We’ve already had two meetings during the summer with them, but nothing’s really changed.”

Bailey said Métis children were never eligible for Jordan’s Principle funding, while leaders have spent years lobbying to make that happen.

“It’s a very serious issue in the North. We’re talking, I think, $60 million just for education that we’re losing out. Not to mention what there is for health, could be another $40-50 million there because of this cutback,” he said.

“That is what’s going to affect the North. Rather than building our economy, they’re trying to take it down. So it doesn’t make sense.”

Correction: October 8, 2025 – 6:08 MT. This article initially stated RJ Simpson is also the NWT’s justice minister. While that was previously the case, the portfolio switched to Jay Macdonald earlier this year.