GNWT to begin annually increasing licensing, compliance, bridge fees

The territorial government will begin annually increasing licensing and compliance fees, and Deh Cho Bridge tolls on June 15, 2026.

“The GNWT understands that residents and businesses across the Northwest Territories continue to face affordability pressures and rising costs. Decisions to increase fees are not made lightly,” the territory said in documents accompanying a news release on Friday.

“At the same time, the GNWT must ensure that essential regulatory, licensing, and transportation infrastructure remains sustainable, effective, and able to meet the needs of residents today and into the future, recognizing that delivering these programs and services carries real and ongoing costs.”

The cost to renew a driver’s licence, register a vehicle, and for professional licensing will go up by 6.7 percent.

This means the cost of a 12-month vehicle registration, which is currently $83, will soon be $88.50.

The 6.7-percent increase includes a newly introduced fixed annual increase of 4.4 percent, plus an increase of 2.3 percent that represents last year’s inflation, based on the territorial consumer price index.

The consumer price index assesses the cost of various goods and services each month to assess how living expenses are changing for residents over time.

Beginning in 2027, increases to these fees will happen on April 1 and will continue until at least 2030. Fees will go up by 4.4 percent plus inflation.

Compliance fees related to Criminal Code violations, suspensions, and associated penalties – like fees to reinstate a licence after it is suspended for driving under the influence – will receive the same 6.7-percent increase on June 15, but will also be subject to an additional one-time 10 percent increase this year.

“Many of the Compliance and Licensing fees have not been increased in approximately 10 years. During that time, the cost of delivering programs and services has increased due to inflation and rising operational expenses,” the GNWT stated.

Also being increased are fees for commercial trucks crossing the Deh Cho Bridge, but bridge tolls will increase by only 2.3 percent – representing the past year’s change in the territorial consumer price index.

This means a five to six-axle transport truck, which currently pays $186 per crossing of the bridge, will soon pay $190. The fee for a seven to eight-axle truck will increase from $327 to $335 per trip across the river.

The GNWT said this is the first increase to tolls since 2020. Prior to 2020, they were increased annually.

Deh Cho Bridge tolls will continue to increase annually based on the territorial consumer price index, but the GNWT said the increases would be reviewed each year “to assess impacts and ensure the approach remains appropriate.”

“This new fee structure will support fiscal sustainability and improve cost recovery for regulatory and licensing services and allow the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to plan for program and service improvements,” the GNWT stated in its Friday news release.