Yellowknife, 23 May 2025-A report released today by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada concludes that the Government of the Northwest Territories has made progress to better protect and conserve environmentally important land and inland water and now needs to build on that foundation.
Through its 2023-28 Healthy Land, Healthy People work plan, the government set priorities that included securing long-term funding for conservation initiatives, strengthening management of protected areas, and establishing new protected areas. Enhancing its network of protected areas will help the territory sustain the long-term health of its natural environment, conserve biodiversity, preserve cultural practices, and contribute to equitable economic development.
The audit found that the government has made progress on all 3 priorities. It worked collaboratively with Indigenous governments to help establish a long-term financing agreement for Indigenous-led conservation activities. This will support Indigenous people's stewardship of their land and inland water and help the territorial and Indigenous governments conclude long-standing negotiations to expand the conservation network.
While long-term funding has been secured to support Indigenous-led conservation efforts, the audit found that the Department of Environment and Climate Change had not secured permanent funding for its own activities to manage protected areas. The department also needed to monitor the implementation of co‑managed protected areas and to increase Indigenous representation in hiring processes. The audit also found that the government still needs to develop a plan of action and timelines to expand the conservation network in the Dinàgà Wek'èhodì and Dehcho regions.
"The Northwest Territories has already protected nearly 16% of its land and inland water, which compares favourably to the approximate 14% across all of Canada," said Jerry V. DeMarco, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. "With long-term funding now in place to support Indigenous-led conservation, it is important that the territorial government prioritize achieving its other objectives to further expand the conservation network."