The Government of Canada is investing almost $3.5 million in two community readiness and infrastructure planning projects in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Along with support from partners, these investments of almost $5.0 million will build capacity and increase the level of community readiness for economic opportunities across multiple sectors in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, and improve transportation planning for three highway corridors that are linked to current and emerging major projects in the Northwest Territories.
CanNor funding: $3,445,000
Government of NWT and proponent funding: $1,550,000
Total: $4,995,000
1. Northwest Territories Highway Corridors Project
This project will enable the Government of the Northwest Territories to undertake transportation planning activities for three highway corridors that are linked to current and emerging major projects in the Northwest Territories. Planning activities will occur in the Slave Geological Province, Tlicho Region and Sahtu Region.
The project will examine feasibility options for extending the operating season for winter roads used to supply goods and services to diamond mines, continue planning activities for an all-weather road Whati and the NICO Project (Fortune Minerals), and to support further planning and engineering studies for the Mackenzie Valley Highway project between Norman Wells and Wrigley, NWT.
CanNor: $1,300,000
Total: $2,150,000
2. The Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (ICEDO) Community Readiness Project
The construction of the highway between Inuvik, NWT and Tuktoyaktuk, NWT has set the stage for long-term economic growth and prosperity in the Inuvialuit Region. Businesses and communities in the region are now well positioned to benefit from the industrial and economic diversification opportunities expected to arise through and beyond the construction of the highway. A regional approach to readiness for economic opportunities across multiple sectors will play an important role to help ensure businesses and communities are well prepared for the road ahead.
The Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (ICEDO) will develop community readiness workshops, develop a country foods strategy and value-added processing initiative, and support training event, and annual workshops to promote essential business skill development and entrepreneurship.
CanNor: $2,145,000
Total: $2,845,000
