Best road is one that gets built, N.W.T. minister says of new route to connect Nunavut and N.W.T.
New route balances caribou protection with economic potential, finance minister says
While a new proposed route for a major infrastructure project in the N.W.T. looks different from prior plans the territory once said would draw the best economic benefit, the territory’s finance minister isn’t worried.
On Saturday, the Tłı̨chǫ government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) announced they reached a consensus on a new proposed route for the Arctic economic and security corridor. It’s an all-season road that would connect the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Timelines for when that would happen are still not clear.
The governments deemed the path the best option for economic potential while avoiding sensitive caribou habitat. N.W.T. Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek says the territorial government is on board.
‘Let us find a path that’s actually going to get a road’
The territory initially had plans to build through the slave geological province corridor, a large resource-rich area northeast of Yellowknife, located in a more eastern region in the Northwest Territories.
During that time, the territorial government described that route as “providing the greatest economic benefit,” for the Northwest Territories.
Wawzonek, at a news conference Tuesday, defended the choice to change routes. She says the territory paused its initial plans about a year ago because both the Tłı̨chǫ government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation asked.
“It was at the request of these two First Nations saying ‘let us find a path that’s actually going to get a road,'” said Wawzonek.
The 400-kilometre corridor would connect the Grays Bay Road and Port in Nunavut with the N.W.T. highway system. The project is one of the “nation-building projects” announced earlier this year, to help expand military presence and mineral exploration in Northern Canada.
Leaders from the Tłı̨chǫ government and YKDFN say the route was informed by a “robust body” of technical analysis, traditional knowledge, community input and economic assessment.
Dettah Chief Ernest Betsina says the consensus does not authorize construction.
He said it defines an area for further engagement, while things like environmental analyses still need to be done.
Next, the Tłı̨chǫ government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation will be providing opportunities for their members, neighbouring Indigenous governments, and community members to weigh in on the proposed route.
Consultations to fast-track federal approvals
The West Kitikmeot Resources Corp., the proponent behind the Nunavut side of the corridor, is also not fazed by the new route.
“It’s impossible to know without further exploration ultimately where the richest deposits will end up being, but this alignment is as good as any, said Brendan Bell, CEO of the West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. “The size of the prize here is large enough that they were able to come together with a consensus on a routing.”
Bell realizes this new route in the N.W.T. bypasses the diamond mines, but he said the impending mine closures in the territory mean there’s no longer a pressing need for the all-season road to reach there.
“Now it’s time to think about the best place in the Northwest Territories to access and getting closer to communities so that we can, in the future, connect those by spurs,” he said.
So far, the corporation has a proposed route from the Grays Bay Road and Port to the dormant mine at Jericho in Nunavut. Once the N.W.T. route is finalized, Bell said the West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. will look to build a link from Jericho to connect with the N.W.T.
Bell said the federal government is set to begin consultations this fall about whether Nunavummiut support the corridor being fast-tracked under Bill C-5.
However, he said this does not override the Nunavut Impact Review Board’s process, which is still ongoing.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Consensus reached on proposed corridor for road connecting Nunavut and N.W.T., Eye on the Arctic
Greenland: Greenland rules out winter 2026-27 drilling for Nunap Qeqqa/Jameson Land oil project, Eye on the Arctic
Sweden: Arctic Municipality in Sweden ups recruitment perks with housing, ski passes, bonuses, Radio Sweden
United States: Greenland ‘Freedom City?’ Rich donors push Trump for a tech hub up north, Reuters
