The Government of the Northwest Territories has announced that they will formally endorse the consensus corridor for the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor.
The consensus corridor, proposed by the Tłı̨chǫ Government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation, will serve as a basis for advancing engagement and other work needed to determine the final route for the AESC.
“The Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Tłı̨chǫ Government have done considerable work to reach agreement on a proposed corridor, and I want to recognize their leadership in bringing the project to this point,” said Minister Caroline Wawzonek.
The 30-kilometre-wide planning corridor will give a foundation for the governments to advance the engineering work, environmental assessment, and regulatory processes that will be needed to inform their future decisions.
The GNWT stressed that engagement on this project will continue and other Indigenous governments and communities will be given the opportunity to voice their concerns, perspectives, and priorities.
“We are committed to working with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and Tłı̨chǫ Government to continue those conversations and identify meaningful opportunities for other Indigenous governments and communities to participate in and benefit from the project as it moves forward,” said Wawzonek.
The GNWT says that work on the AESC will now focus on efforts to advance the project, attract investment, and maximize the long-term benefits it can deliver for the NWT.
