Backgrounder: Government of Canada announces support to northern tourism industries

September 26, 2025 – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

This information adds to the news release issued on September 26, 2025 Minister Chartrand announces investment to support Northern Tourism industries about CanNor’s support for businesses and organizations that received funding, and their projects.

The Government of Canada, through CanNor, is providing over $1.5 million in targeted funding for six projects aimed at improving and developing the tourism sector in the North. Funding for these projects is being provided through CanNor’s IDEANorth program.

Project information

Northwest Territories

Project: Tourism Recovery and Growth through Digital Adoption
Recipient: NWT Tourism
Location: Northwest Territories
Details: This two-year project will support recovery and growth in the NWT tourism industry through research and strategy development, marketing, training and support for businesses, and modernizing web and digital platforms.
CanNor contribution: Up to $900,000 of an estimated $2.08 million project total cost.

Project: Museum Facility and Service Upgrades
Recipient: Yellowknife Historical Society
Location: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Details: Over the next two years, funding will support operations at the Yellowknife Historical Museum by developing multilingual audio guides, enhancing the café and gift shop, upgrading systems, and advancing strategic planning.
CanNor contribution: Up to $111,000 of an estimated $400,000 project total cost.

Project: Heritage Centre Reopening
Recipient: Hay River Museum Society
Location: Hay River, Northwest Territories
Details: This three-year initiative will repair, relocate, and reopen the Hay River Heritage Centre following flood damage, while also introducing mitigation measures to reduce the risk of future natural disasters.
CanNor contribution: Up to $300,000 of an estimated $780,313 project total cost.

Yukon

Project: Sport Tourism Enhancement Project
Recipient: Sport Yukon
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Details: Through a three-year project, Sport Yukon will help deliver five sport tourism events or experiences in rural communities and create six unique experience packages. These initiatives will build community and organizational capacity, attract visitors, and enhance Yukon’s tourism offerings.
CanNor contribution: Up to $165,000 of an estimated $206,250 project total cost.

Project: Yukon Tourism Relocation Rebate Fund
Recipient: The Tourism Industry Association of Yukon
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Details: This three-year project will support the implementation of a pilot program, which will provide financial assistance to attract tourism students and recent graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions to relocate to the Yukon for both seasonal and year-round employment.
CanNor contribution: Up to $48,760 of an estimated $60,950 project total cost.

Project: Winter Tourism – Pelly Crossing
Recipient: Tutchone Tours
Location: Pelly Crossing, Yukon
Details: Funding will help Tutchone Tours expand its seasonal operations into winter tourism, offering activities such as snowmobiling and ice fishing. The Indigenous woman-owned business currently provides guided boat tours to the historic site of Fort Selkirk, Yukon.
CanNor contribution: Up to $20,000 of an estimated $40,000 project total cost.