Infrastructure in Northwest Territories


Infrastructure investments are key to creating jobs, supporting a strong economy, and building greener, more resilient communities. Across the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada's investments in modern infrastructure are helping to build efficient transportation systems, provide clean drinking water for families, increase access to high-speed internet for residents and businesses, and build inclusive communities.

Projects in the Northwest Territories

Projects Near You

Infrastructure projects are being funded by the Government of Canada in your communities across the Northwest Territories. These projects not only improve the everyday lives of Canadians, but also attract the talent and investment communities need to create new jobs and business opportunities.

Visit our interactive map to see projects that are benefiting communities across the Northwest Territories.

Details about all projects approved since 2002 are also available on Open Government.

Projects funded under the Investing in Canada Plan are marked by recognizable signs that can be found from coast to coast to coast.

The project signage guidelines are available for recipients of projects funded under the Plan.

In the News

All Infrastructure Canada news in Northwest Territories

Programs and funds available for the Northwest Territories

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program

COVID-19 update

To address the challenges faced by communities as a result of COVID-19, the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, delivered through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, now includes a COVID-19 Resilience stream, offers expanded project eligibility and allows for accelerated approvals.

Visit the COVID-19 Resilience stream page for more information.

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program provides long-term, stable funding to:

  • Help communities reduce air and water pollution, provide clean water, increase resilience to climate change and create a clean-growth economy
  • Build strong, dynamic and inclusive communities, and
  • Ensure Canadian families have access to modern, reliable services that improve their quality of life

Project approval and funding process

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is administered through a bilateral agreement with the Northwest Territories. Projects are cost-shared with the provincial government, municipalities, Indigenous communities and other partners.

Project Approval and Funding Process

Text description
  1. Applicants submit their projects to the territory
  2. Territory prioritizes projects and submits to Infrastructure Canada
  3. Infrastructure Canada reviews, validates eligibility and funding and seeks ministerial approval*
  4. Projects begin and funding flows when costs are incurred**

* For projects seeking funding under the Ministers' delegated authority, Infrastructure Canada will provide the province or territory with a funding decision within 60 business days of receiving a complete application. An application is deemed complete when all required information has been submitted and no further clarification is required. Projects seeking funding outside the Ministers' delegated authority also require approval by Treasury Board. Examples include, but are not limited to, projects seeking more than $50 million federal contribution, or projects containing sole-source contracts.

** Infrastructure Canada will issue a claim payment for projects within 20 business days of receiving a complete claim, with all required information, from the recipient.

* For projects seeking funding under the Ministers' delegated authority, Infrastructure Canada will provide the province or territory with a funding decision within 60 business days of receiving a complete application. An application is deemed complete when all required information has been submitted and no further clarification is required. Projects seeking funding outside the Ministers' delegated authority also require approval by Treasury Board. Examples include, but are not limited to, projects seeking more than $50 million federal contribution, or projects containing sole-source contracts.

** Infrastructure Canada will issue a claim payment for projects within 20 business days of receiving a complete claim, with all required information, from the recipient.

Funding breakdown

In 2016, Canada and the Northwest Territories signed an initial agreement under the Investing in Canada plan to invest more than $52 million in federal funding for the rehabilitation, repair, and modernization of existing infrastructure to provide communities with more reliable water and wastewater systems and improve public transit systems across the province.

In 2018, a second agreement was signed to provide more than $570 million in federal funding over the next decade for long-term infrastructure projects through four streams. Here is a funding breakdown, by stream: Public Transit InfrastructureGreen InfrastructureCommunity, Culture & Recreational Infrastructure and Rural & Northern Infrastructure.

  Public Transit Infrastructure

Funding for the new construction, expansion, improvement and rehabilitation of public transit infrastructure that transform the way Canadians live, move and work.

Approved and announced
0
(100%)
Under Review
0
(0%)
Unallocated
(0%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  0 0 0
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Closed Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Total number of project applications received from the Northwest Territories 0
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
0
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 0

Visit Department of Infrastructure or e-mail INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

  Green Infrastructure

Funding for green infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enable greater adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change, provide climate-related disaster mitigation, and ensure clean air and safe drinking water for residents.

Approved and announced
115694102
(54%)
Under Review
3580875
(2%)
Unallocated
93452797Footnote 1
(44%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  115694102 3580875 93452797
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Closed Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Total number of project applications received from the Northwest Territories 27
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
1
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 26

Visit Department of Infrastructure  or e-mail INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

  Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure

Funding for community, culture and recreation infrastructure projects that build stronger communities and improve social inclusion.

Approved and announced
18688461
(73%)
Under Review
1083056
(4%)
Unallocated
5950697Footnote 1
(23%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  18688461 1083056 5950697
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Closed Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Total number of project applications received from the Northwest Territories 34
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
1
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 33

Visit Department of Infrastructure  or e-mail INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

  Rural & Northern Infrastructure

Funding to support projects that improve the quality of life in rural and northern communities including improvements to food security, broadband connectivity, transportation infrastructure, energy, and education and health facilities.

Approved and announced
82967409
(55%)
Under Review
67087000
(45%)
Unallocated
(0%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  82967409 67087000 241748
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Closed Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Total number of project applications received from the Northwest Territories 30
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
1
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
1
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 28

Visit Department of Infrastructure  or e-mail INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

  COVID-19 Resilience

Funding to help provinces and territories respond to the impacts of COVID-19, with added flexibility and expanded eligibility categories to support quick-start, short-term projects that might not otherwise be eligible under the existing funding streams.

Approved and announced
4150000
(46%)
Under Review
325000
(4%)
Unallocated
4602613Footnote 1
(50%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  4150000 325000 4602613
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Closed Ad hoc intakes for community-based projects
Total number of project applications received from the Northwest Territories 5
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
1
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 4

Visit Department of Infrastructure or e-mail INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

Last Updated: 2024-03-22

  Canada Community-Building Fund

The Canada Community-Building Fund delivers over $2 billion every year to more than  3600 communities across the country. Communities select how best to direct the funds and have the flexibility to make strategic investments across 19 different project categories. The Canada Community-Building Fund will provide the Northwest Territories with $17,250 for the 2022-23 fiscal year for local infrastructure projects.

Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund icon Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund

The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund is a $3.375 billion national merit-based program that supports large-scale infrastructure projects to help communities better manage the risks of disasters triggered by natural hazards. Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund projects in the Northwest Territories:

 Smart Cities Challenge

The Smart Cities Challenge is a pan-Canadian competition for communities large and small that encourages communities to adopt a smart cities approach to improve the lives of their residents through innovation, data and connected technology.

Over 200 communities from across Canada participated in the first round of the Challenge, putting forward their ideas, which were adjudicated by an independent jury. In the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife advanced to the finalist stage of the Challenge. Visit the Map of Applicants for more information.

 Other Infrastructure Canada programs

The following programsFootnote2 also support impactful infrastructure projects that contribute to a cleaner environment, stronger communities and Canada's economic growth:

  Programs delivered by Federation of Canadian Municipalities

The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities are investing in projects across the Northwest Territories to build stronger communities through the following programs:

  Program delivered by Community Foundations Canada

Canada Healthy Communities Fund is a $31 million investment to transform public spaces in response to COVID-19.

 Programs delivered by other government departments and agencies

Government of Canada investments in infrastructure go beyond Infrastructure Canada, and achieving the objectives of the long-term plan require a collaborative effort. These investments are being made by 14 federal departments and agencies. To find out which programs are available, consult the Investing in Canada plan Funding Update table.