Economic corridors provide critical links to markets in and out of Alberta, driving economic growth and creating jobs across the province. Increasing Alberta’s access to the north is vital for opening up new export opportunities. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Alberta and the Northwest Territories will enhance connections between the two jurisdictions, linking them to new markets outside of western Canada.
“This agreement will strengthen the relationship between Alberta and the Northwest Territories. It will allow us to align shared priorities and projects to benefit families from the U.S./Canada border to the Arctic Circle. Canada should be a place for nation-building projects that attract investment, provide jobs, and enrich our people. This work will allow for more opportunities to move products around Canada and the world.”
The agreement includes working co-operatively to enhance critical infrastructure and improve the efficiency of interjurisdictional transportation networks. It also focuses on reducing red tape and regulatory hurdles for commercial vehicles travelling between Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
Caroline Wawzonek, Northwest Territories Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Infrastructure, and Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation; Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors; and Caitlin Cleveland, Northwest Territories Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (left to right).
Credit: Government of Alberta
The agreement will also involve partnering on enhancing road and bridge networks to support the movement of both jurisdictions’ resources, including the Northwest Territories’ vast critical mineral deposits and Alberta’s energy products. With an increasing demand for critical minerals and energy globally, the agreement will be vital for expanding market access opportunities.
This partnership will help enhance Alberta’s access to the Arctic, which could open up opportunities to expand exports in key sectors. Furthermore, new corridors in northern Alberta can enable exploration and potential mining access to deposits of precious metals and rare earth elements.
"Today's Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta marks a key step in our efforts to enhance coordination on economic corridors between our two jurisdictions. This collaboration underscores our desire to support regional connectivity, enhance transportation routes, and deliver reliable energy solutions, fostering sustainable growth for our communities. By working together, we can ensure lasting benefits for Northwest Territories and Alberta residents as well as the broader economy."
"Working together with Alberta to improve connectivity and enhance collaboration on economic corridors creates new opportunities to showcase our territory and to contribute our wealth of critical minerals into the North American critical mineral value chain. Economic corridors are essential to attract investment, create jobs, and promote sustainable development, ensuring a vibrant and prosperous future for all."
Alberta and the Northwest Territories will work together to ensure driver training and examination services are available for all classes of driver’s licences, while also working towards the harmonization of licensing.
In addition, the agreement will identify opportunities to attract private sector investment and partner with Indigenous communities on economic corridor development. As well, the two jurisdictions will jointly advocate to the federal government and other transportation stakeholders to advance shared economic corridor and transportation priorities.
This partnership between Alberta and the Northwest Territories follows the Western Premiers’ Conference, held in June 2024, which focused on strengthening coordinated planning and continued collaboration between the seven western Canadian jurisdictions on economic corridors. The agreement between Alberta and the Northwest Territories reinforces a commitment to enhancing trade corridors, improving resilience in infrastructure, and increasing market access.
Quick facts
- Economic corridors can involve a broad range of infrastructure, including transportation, energy, power, telecommunications and other utilities.
- In addition to physical infrastructure, corridors include service markets and the coordination of regulations and policies across multiple jurisdictions and sectors.
- Connections between Alberta and the Northwest Territories include Highway 35 and the Canadian National Railway’s network, both of which connect to the Northwest Territories north of High Level.
- Alberta’s government has also partnered with the Governments of Saskatchewan and Manitoba on a separate Memorandum of Understanding to advance economic corridors between the three provinces.