Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister Caitlin Cleveland, and Minister Caroline Wawzonek applaud the launch of the Regional Database and Major Project Review Tool

Press Release

May 19, 2026

Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister Caitlin Cleveland, and Minister Caroline Wawzonek issued the following statements today in response to the launch of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board’s new Regional Database and Major Project Review Tool.

Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“I want to recognize the leadership and collaboration that made this initiative possible, including the work of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, Minister Rebecca Chartrand, and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada’s support in advancing this important initiative. The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board continues to play an important role in supporting credible, transparent, and well-informed decision-making in the Northwest Territories.

As development opportunities increase across the North, we need strong environmental oversight, reliable information and data, and regulatory systems that are credible and trusted by Northerners. Better information-sharing, improved coordination, and stronger cumulative effects management will help ensure development decisions continue to protect the lands, waters, wildlife, and communities that Northerners depend on.

Northerners want to see responsible projects move forward without compromising the cultural values, lands, waters, and ways of life that have sustained communities across the North for generations. We need systems capable of supporting informed and timely decision-making while maintaining strong environmental standards and public confidence in the process.

This initiative reflects the importance of Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous partnership, and strong co-management systems in development decision-making. Responsible development and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand.

The GNWT was pleased to support this initiative through staff participation, technical input, and the identification and sharing of relevant public data and reports from across government. This included information related to climate, water, wildlife, land disturbance, geoscience, labour force trends, community services, and past infrastructure corridor planning. Bringing this information together in one place will help strengthen coordination,, reduce duplication, and support more effective and predictable regulatory and assessment processes across the Northwest Territories.”

Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

“I want to congratulate the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board and all partners involved in advancing this initiative.

The Northwest Territories has a major opportunity ahead of us when it comes to critical minerals, infrastructure development, and attracting new investment to the North, but we need strong and effective systems in place to help support responsible projects and provide greater certainty for communities, Indigenous governments, and industry.

Development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. This work is not about lowering standards. It is about working together to make our regulatory system clearer, more predictable, and more efficient while maintaining the strong environmental protections and public confidence that responsible development requires. That clarity and predictability matters for investment. It helps show that the Northwest Territories is serious about responsible development and ready to compete for major projects and critical mineral opportunities. Together, these efforts will help advance the next generation of major projects in the Northwest Territories, support long-term economic growth, and ensure Northerners benefit from the opportunities ahead.”

Minister Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains

“I had the pleasure of getting a demonstration of the new portal on Friday, and it is genuinely impressive. This is a very practical and forward-looking tool that will make a real difference as the Northwest Territories advances major infrastructure, energy, and resource development projects.

One of the biggest challenges with major projects in the North has always been coordination, access to information, and reducing duplication, while ensuring people are working from the same understanding of the facts and impacts. Tools like this help support better planning, better decision-making, and more effective regulatory processes.

This is a big step in the right direction for the Northwest Territories and for building the kinds of major projects and infrastructure that will support stronger communities, long-term economic growth, and Canada’s Arctic future.”

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