Canada-Northwest Territories Nature Agreement: summary

The Canada–Northwest Territories Nature Agreement, signed by both parties on February 24, 2025, sets out target outcomes and commitments which include:

• support and advance ongoing collaboration with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations in Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship initiatives in the Northwest Territories, such as Northwest Territories Our Land for the Future agreement, based on the Finance for Permanence model
• advancing the protection and conservation of up to 6 per cent of the territory by 2028, with further potential of up to 3.6 per cent by 2035
• advancing the protection of critical habitat and adoption of land use planning measures to improve outcomes for species at risk and migratory birds
• developing of a Memorandum of Understanding on s.79 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to set out roles and responsibilities including identifying the adverse effects of proposed projects on species at risk, their habitat and Critical Habitat
• continuing efforts with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations for the recovery of Barren-ground caribou herds, for the recovery of Wood Bison, to implement the Peary Caribou recovery Strategy, and for the recovery of other Priority Species identified under the Pan-Canadian approach to transforming species at risk conservation in Canada; and
• facilitating the exchange of information and data to improve conservation outcomes

Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories will work together to deliver on the priorities and commitments in this agreement. The Government of Canada will invest up to $20 million to implement the Agreement and support nature protection and conservation in the territory.

Related link

Canada–Northwest Territories Nature Agreement (Full agreement)