The federal government and GNWT announced a $1.5-million, three-year agreement on Friday to help NWT workers “directly or indirectly impacted by tariffs and global market shifts.”
In a news release, Ottawa expressly included people affected by diamond mine job losses in that category.
One of the NWT’s big three diamond mines has now closed, another has moved up its closure timeline and made layoffs, and a third is behind on a series of payments despite a federal loan worth up to $175 million.
In all, hundreds of northern jobs are at risk as the diamond market craters, a victim of American tariffs on India – which is a global diamond preparation hub – and also of lab-grown rivals to mined gems.
Some initiatives have already launched to retrain workers leaving that industry.
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Friday’s announcement promises residents more access to training, employment help and financial assistance.
In practice, the money will flow into the territory’s existing training programs and subsidies. Ottawa said that will result in “time-limited enhancements such as increased funding maximums, broader range of training opportunities and other flexibilities.”
