Arctic Economic and Security Corridor
Proponent
Partnership between the Tłı̨chǫ Government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and the Government of the Northwest Territories
Sector
Transport
Location
Slave Geological Province/North Slave Region, Northwest Territories
Proponent
Partnership between the Tłı̨chǫ Government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and the Government of the Northwest Territories
Sector
Transport
Location
Slave Geological Province/North Slave Region, Northwest Territories
Description
The Arctic Economic and Security Corridor (AESC) is a proposed ~400 km all-season road through the Slave Geological Province to the Nunavut border, where it will connect with the Grays Bay Road.
This project is being led by the Tłı̨chǫ Government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories, for the economic prosperity of both nations and surrounding communities.
There are ongoing discussions between the Tłı̨chǫ Government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and the Government of the Northwest Territories on routing. This includes ongoing community consultations and Indigenous-led studies in the region. The impact assessments, led by co-management boards, provide for broad participation that will help bring forward recommendations to minimize impacts on local wildlife.
Together with the Grays Bay Road and Port, the AESC will create a new all-season road from Yellowknife to Grays Bay on the Arctic Ocean. These two interconnected projects will create critical export links and enable new resource exploration and development in the mineral-rich Slave Geological Province of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
This project, in conjunction with other major Northern Resilience Projects (Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Taltson Hydro Expansion), will create significant opportunities for economic growth, and support Canada’s security, and expanded military presence in the North.
Description
The Arctic Economic and Security Corridor (AESC) is a proposed ~400 km all-season road through the Slave Geological Province to the Nunavut border, where it will connect with the Grays Bay Road.
This project is being led by the Tłı̨chǫ Government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories, for the economic prosperity of both nations and surrounding communities.
There are ongoing discussions between the Tłı̨chǫ Government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and the Government of the Northwest Territories on routing. This includes ongoing community consultations and Indigenous-led studies in the region. The impact assessments, led by co-management boards, provide for broad participation that will help bring forward recommendations to minimize impacts on local wildlife.
Together with the Grays Bay Road and Port, the AESC will create a new all-season road from Yellowknife to Grays Bay on the Arctic Ocean. These two interconnected projects will create critical export links and enable new resource exploration and development in the mineral-rich Slave Geological Province of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
This project, in conjunction with other major Northern Resilience Projects (Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Taltson Hydro Expansion), will create significant opportunities for economic growth, and support Canada’s security, and expanded military presence in the North.
Quick facts
- Development: Will unlock exploration and development in the mineral-rich Slave Geological Province, including potential for copper, gold and zinc.
- Export access: Will provide valuable export access to mines in the Northwest Territories by connecting Yellowknife to a deepwater port at Grays Bay
- Transport access: Together with the Grays Bay Road, it will establish the first all-season road linking Nunavut to the National Highway System.
- Dual-use: Will establish a critical transportation corridor to a deepwater port and airfield at Grays Bay, which creates potential for dual-use (civilian-military) opportunities.
Benefits
- Supports unlocking opportunities for critical minerals exploration, expanded military presence and northern sovereignty.
- Provides all-season road access from Yellowknife to Grays Bay Port (once connected to Grays Bay Road).
- Provides the enabling infrastructure to advance mineral exploration and future copper, zinc and gold mine development.
Latest updates
- On March 12, 2026, the project was referred to the Major Projects Office (MPO).
- The MPO is working with proponents to determine funding solutions, identify acceleration options, and support and streamline relevant regulatory processes. This work will be carried out while recognizing the unique treaty-based impact assessment framework and local regulatory environment in the Northwest Territories.
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