The GNWT is asking for feedback from businesses on their readiness for federal investments, trade activities and opportunities for growth.
NWT businesses have until August 30 to complete an online survey. The GNWT said the responses will inform territorial government programs, services, and policy development to better support the northern business community.
“In order to diversify the Northwest Territories’ economy and create new opportunities for northerners, NWT businesses must be supported and feel ready to benefit from upcoming investments,” a news release states.
The GNWT said it is seeking to learn about businesses’ perspectives on workforce capacity, importing and exporting habits, barriers and challenges when access new markets, and supports needed to prepare for economic opportunities from upcoming federal investments.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in March that his government intends to invest $35 billion in Arctic defence.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
In late June, Carney declared the Mackenzie Valley Highway as a project of national interest. The designation potentially clears the way for many federal regulatory processes to be condensed “to get major projects built faster” under the Build Canada Act.
NWT Premier RJ Simpson said at the June announcement the Mackenzie Valley Highway, an all-season road from Wrigley to Inuvik, could be completed in the next five years.
The GNWT’s proposed Talston hydro expansion was also referred to the federal Major Projects Office. The expansion proposes adding 60 megawatts of capacity to the existing 22-megawatt Taltson facility near Fort Smith and connect it to the North Slave’s Snare hydro system through a submarine cable across Great Slave Lake.
