2025 NWT Environmental Audit Confirms Ongoing Improvements to Environmental Regulatory System
Press Release
October 21, 2025
The 2025 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit has noted the improvements in the GNWT’s work. The Audit is a legislated independent review that takes place every five years.
The Audit examines how effectively the NWT’s environmental regulatory system is working, assesses how environmental information is used in decision-making, and evaluates progress on cumulative impact monitoring. It also examines the adequacy of responses to past audit recommendations.
This year’s Audit found the NWT’s environmental regulatory system continues to improve, with no new significant concerns identified. It highlighted progress in areas such as regulatory coordination and implementation of past recommendations. The Audit also noted continued challenges, including the need for stronger cumulative impact monitoring, improved data on barren-ground caribou, and further land use planning and community engagement.
The Audit was carried out by an independent contractor and guided by an Audit Steering Committee composed of Indigenous, territorial, and federal government representatives.
The GNWT will track its progress to the Audit’s recommendations internally across departments.
Quote
“This Audit confirms that our regulatory system is moving in the right direction. We remain focussed on working with Indigenous governments and regulatory partners to make informed, balanced, and evidence-based decisions that protect the land, water, and wildlife of the Northwest Territories.”
– Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Quick facts
- The NWT Environmental Audit is required under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and several land claim agreements.
- It is conducted every five years by an independent contractor.
- The 2025 Audit provides recommendations on:
- Effectiveness of environmental regulation
- Use of cumulative impact monitoring
- Availability of environmental trend data
- Responses to past audit recommendations
- The Audit Steering Committee includes representatives from Indigenous governments and the federal and territorial governments.
- The GNWT has committed to tracking its progress on recommendations and reporting internally across departments.
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
Public Affairs and Communications
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
ECC_Communications@gov.nt.ca
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