Minister Caroline Wawzonek on the next list of federal Projects of National Interest

November 13, 2025

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains, issued the following statement in response to the federal government’s announcement of the next list of Projects of National Interest:

“Today’s announcement shows that the federal government is moving ahead with major nation-building projects that strengthen Canada’s economy, security and competitiveness. While the Northwest Territories’ strategic projects of national interest were not featured in this tranche, I am encouraged that Arctic energy and Northern infrastructure remain central to the federal agenda.

The Arctic Economic and Security Corridor was identified by the Prime Minister earlier this year as a Project of National Interest. That recognition reflects the work that Indigenous governments and the Government of the Northwest Territories are doing together to advance this dual-use corridor that supports sovereignty, critical mineral development and supply-chain resilience.

Work on our priority projects does not begin or end with updates to a federal list. We are pushing forward every day with our partners, and we will continue regardless of whether a particular federal announcement features us or not. The Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and the Taltson hydro expansion and connection are all experiencing strong momentum, and we are committed to maintaining that progress.

I am also encouraged by the significant Arctic-focused investments announced in the federal budget. The new Arctic Infrastructure Fund, the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund and expanded blended-finance tools at the Canada Infrastructure Bank create real opportunities for the Taltson Hydro Expansion, the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor as they move through planning, financing, engineering and regulatory processes.

Budget 2025 also commits $67 million to strengthen regulatory and consultation capacity in the North. We welcome this investment. It has the potential to make our processes more timely and effective, while ensuring Indigenous governments have the resources needed to participate fully. That is essential to building the trust and certainty required for major projects to move forward in a good way.

In the Northwest Territories, we already operate under a one-project-one-review system. While our process has its own challenges, this framework aligns with the national direction set out in the Building Canada Act. Other jurisdictions will benefit from the streamlined federal process associated with this list; in the North, our focus remains on federal partnership, meaningful Indigenous participation and the financial tools required to advance our work.

For us, the essential piece is consistent and ongoing federal support—not placement on a list. Our regulatory work is done collaboratively with Indigenous governments, communities and co-management partners to ensure NWT-based projects reflect Northern priorities and Canada’s long-term interests. We expect federal departments and agencies to remain fully engaged, work with us to unlock available funding, and meet their responsibilities within our co-management regime. That is how these projects will reach construction-ready stages.

We will continue making the case that clean energy, all-season roads and Arctic corridors in the Northwest Territories are essential to Canada’s prosperity, security and sovereignty. The federal government has been clear that the Major Projects Office will maintain a living list, and we will remain deeply engaged as that work continues. Minister Alty’s participation in our Taltson Steering Committee earlier this week is a clear sign that the federal government is taking these projects seriously.

I will be meeting with Dawn Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of the Major Projects Office, on Friday as part of our ongoing effort on all our major projects. I appreciate the MPO’s commitment to working directly with the GNWT and with Indigenous governments to move our projects forward.

The signals from Ottawa have been encouraging. The Northwest Territories is ready to do our part. We will keep advancing the work in front of us and keep pressing for strong federal partnership so that investments in the North are recognized for what they are: nation-building that serves Canada’s national interest.”

Media contact:
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
PressSecretary@gov.nt.ca

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