NWT’s legislature approves record $795-million capital plan

The NWT’s legislature has approved a $795-million territorial capital budget for 2027-28, roughly twice the size of those from recent years.

More than half of that money – $424 million – comes from federal contributions.

NWT finance minister Caroline Wawzonek said Thursday’s federal budget investments, including a commitment to fully fund the Mackenzie Valley Highway, mean the territorial spending in this capital plan is actually close to that seen in previous years.

Even so, Wawzonek said the total marks the largest capital plan the NWT has ever seen.

Highways and roads account for more than half of the 2027-28 plan, at $404 million. That work includes advancement of the Dehk’e Frank Channel Bridge and Mackenzie Valley Highway.

Wawzonek said this budget also includes more funding than ever for school upgrades and renovations.

Money will be spent planning school projects in Colville Lake, Behchokǫ̀, Nahanni Butte, Ndılǫ, Fort Smith and Yellowknife.

$80 million will support energy infrastructure in the territory, including the Fort Providence-Kakisa transmission line and Whatì transmission line.

Wawzonek said the budget also accounts for $43 million to keep electricity rates stable, with funding to enhance the home heating subsidy available for seniors.

Another $71 million has been earmarked for community infrastructure such as roads, water, wastewater, waste management, recreation and cultural facilities, and transit.

$81 million will go toward new housing and improvements to existing homes.

Some of the budget pays for work on a new electronic health records system, though Wawzonek said that project will span several years.

Funding is also being provided to upgrade the territory’s 9-1-1 system, and to build a 34-bed long-term care facility in Hay River.

Improvements will be made to Délı̨nę’s wellness centre and funding has been allocated to begin planning new health cabins in Jean Marie River, Kakisa and Tsiigehtchic.

A Friday GNWT news release asserted that these investments will support 1,750 full-time jobs.

Speaking in the legislature on Friday, Wawzonek said she had “some concern and pause at such a large capital plan.”

“We are in a difficult time fiscally,” she said, noting that while other finance ministers had said the same thing in the past, “the cascade of recent crises over the years has made the circumstances we face ever more dire.”

She said this budget is working to “meet the moment” and “match the cadence” of the federal government.

During a discussion of the budget, Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins thanked Prime Minister Mark Carney for “saving our future,” referring to commitments from the federal government.

“Without those types of initiatives, I don’t know where we’d be and what we’d be doing,” said Hawkins.

Many MLAs praised the budget on the floor of the House, in addition to the work and advocacy required to pull it together.

Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse said it was “nothing short of historic.”

The budget was unanimously approved.