The Northwest Territories has formally asked Ottawa for about $1.8 billion to help fund the construction of two major roadways that have been on the territory's agenda for years.
Last week the GNWT announced it had submitted the request to fund Slave Geological Province Access Corridor SA国际影视传媒� which is essentially a road from Yellowknife to the diamond mines - and an extension of the Mackenzie Highway from Wrigley to Inuvik, according to Infrastructure Minister Wally Schumann said Tuesday.
The Slave Geological Province Access Corridor would provide all-weather ground transportation to the territory's three operational diamond mines SA国际影视传媒� Diavik, owned by Rio Tinto and Harry Winston Diamond Corp.; Snap Lake owned by DeBeers Canada Inc.; and Ekati owned by BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc.
The three mines are currently connected by the Tibbit to Contwoyto Winter Road.
SA国际影视传媒淭here are significant base and precious metal prospects in the Slave Geological Province that require all-weather access for exploration and development,SA国际影视传媒� Schumann told the legislative assembly in February. SA国际影视传媒淏y increasing access to the Slave Geological Province, the Government of the Northwest Territories will increase investor confidence and enable our territory to reach its full economic potential.SA国际影视传媒�
The GNWT has SA国际影视传媒渘ot officiallySA国际影视传媒� consulted with the Tlicho or Akaitcho Governments on a potential road through the Slave Geological Province, said Schumann.
SA国际影视传媒淥ff the record we've had conversations with various different people about what kind of support is out there for it,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding the department will be SA国际影视传媒渆ngaging everybodySA国际影视传媒� if the federal government approves the funding.
Yellowknifer was unable to get comment from Tlicho or Akaitcho governments before Wednesday's press deadline.
Frame Lake MLA Kevin O'Reilly has expressed concern that an all-season road in the Slave Geological Province will disrupt the Bathurst caribou herd migration and breeding grounds.
In the legislative assembly in March, Premier Bob McLeod said the government SA国际影视传媒�will continue to do our part to ensure that there is a balance,SA国际影视传媒� between the protecting caribou and economic development. SA国际影视传媒淲e do like to see economic development but not at all costs,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
It is unclear if the government has finalized a plan to mitigate the impacts on caribou of an all-season road in the Slave Geological Province.
Ecology North also reserved comment on the issue, and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-NWT (CPAWS) said it needed more information before making a statement.
The GNWT is also requesting funds to push forward the Mackenzie Valley Highway plan, which would see Highway 1 extended from Wrigley to Inuvik.
SA国际影视传媒淎boriginal groups up and down the valley have been advocating for this road since 1970,SA国际影视传媒� said Schumann. SA国际影视传媒淭hey're probably pushing that road as hard as I am, if not harder.SA国际影视传媒�
The federal government has earmarked $400 million over the next 11 years to Northern transportation infrastructure through its Northern Trade Corridors Fund.
During a whirlwind visit to the Yukon earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that territory $247 million to improve roads and bridges to mining regions.
Money granted to the Yukon came from the separate New Build Canada fund, and has no bearing on the amount set aside for Northern transportation corridors, cabinet spokesperson Andrew Livingstone confirmed Monday.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat $400 million is up for grabs,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Should it agree to fund one or both of the proposed NWT roadways, the federal government would supply up to 75 per cent of the cost. The territory would contribute the remaining 25 per cent, and may seek a private partnership to help foot the bill.
The territorial government will find out next month whether its submission has been accepted. The government will then be required to submit an in-depth project proposal to Ottawa by the Nov. 6.
