Backgrounder: CanNor invests over $1.75 million in community-led food security projects in the Northwest Territories

March 30, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

This information adds to the news release issued on March 30 The Government of Canada is investing over $1.75 million in community-led food projects in the Northwest Territories about CanNor’s support, the businesses and organisations that received funding, and their projects.

The Government of Canada, through CanNor, is providing up to $1,753,799 in targeted funding for five projects aimed at developing local infrastructure and supports for producing food and expanding businesses in the Northwest Territories (NWT). These projects will create new opportunities for growers, harvesters, businesses, and other professionals in the food sector.

Project information

Project: Infrastructure development for the Black Spruce Education Centre
Recipient: Black Spruce Education
Location: Norman Wells, NWT
Details: Black Spruce Education, a youth-led organization, will run a four-year project to develop a space for training opportunities, small business incubation, and cultural programming. It will feature new and renovated facilities, including a workshop, commercial teaching kitchen, greenhouse and agricultural space, offices, and a café.
CanNor contribution: Up to $1,200,000
Funding program: IDEANorth

Project: Greenhouse development initiative
Recipient: Promise for the North
Location: Tsiigehtchic, NWT
Details: Promise for the North will run a two-year project to design and install a modular greenhouse. The project will allow the community to grow fresh produce year-round. The project will improve access to healthy food and reduce reliance on imported produce.
CanNor contribution: Up to $184,000
Funding program: NICI

Project: Forging Flavour – a maker’s space for small-scale food processors
Recipient: Territorial Agrifood Association
Location: Yellowknife, NWT
Details: The Territorial Agrifood Association will run a one-year project to establish a small-scale food processing hub and shared commercial kitchen. Forging Flavour will combine fee-for-service rentals with subsidized programming to support emerging and established businesses and entrepreneurs. 
CanNor contribution: Up to $170,000
Funding program: IDEANorth

Project: The Channel – the North’s first food hub
Recipient: CS Environmental
Location: Yellowknife, NWT
Details: CS Environmental is working on a two-year building project to develop a food hub that showcases northern culinary traditions and foods in Yellowknife’s Old Town. The space will feature Great Slave Lake fish filleting and sales, along with a commercial kitchen, food processing and storage, and distribution and supports for growers, harvesters, and others within the northern food chain.
CanNor contribution: Up to $99,999; the Government of the Northwest Territories is funding up to $25,000
Funding program: NICI

Project: Fish on the Bay relocation and expansion
Recipient: Fish on the Bay
Location: Yellowknife, NWT
Details: Fish on the Bay will run a two-year project to relocate and expand its operations to meet increasing demand and support local fishers. This woman-owned business will purchase an additional fishing vessel and key equipment for fish processing and storage.
CanNor contribution: Up to $99,800; the Government of the Northwest Territories is funding up to $53,515
Funding program: NICI