On March 1, 2026, in Toronto, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Regulatory Coordination aimed at strengthening collaboration in their respective regulatory roles. The agreement was signed by the federal Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and the Northwest Territories Minister of Environment and Climate Change, in the presence of the territory’s Premier, during the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada convention.
The MOU reaffirms both governments’ commitment to working closely together and in partnership with Indigenous governments and organizations, co-management boards, and other federal and territorial departments and agencies. Its primary objective is to improve clarity, predictability, and efficiency in impact assessment and regulatory processes across the Northwest Territories, while respecting established jurisdictions and authorities.
The agreement outlines plans to enhance alignment and consistency in legislation, regulations, guidelines, and policies in areas of shared and respective jurisdiction. It also signals an intention to better coordinate funding mechanisms to support the meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples and Northerners in regulatory and impact assessment processes. These efforts build on the Northwest Territories’ long-standing resource co-management framework established under modern treaties.
Leaders from both governments emphasized that the MOU represents a practical step toward a stronger, more coordinated regulatory system that respects Indigenous rights and ensures rigorous environmental oversight. They underscored the importance of reducing duplication, improving alignment, and supporting sustainable development that delivers long-term benefits to Northerners while reflecting northern values and priorities.
The regulatory system in the Northwest Territories is rooted in modern treaties and shared decision-making, with co-management boards—comprising members nominated or appointed by Indigenous governments, Canada, and the territorial government—leading key processes such as impact assessments, water licensing, and land use permitting. The MOU also reaffirms both governments’ commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ensuring that federal and territorial actions uphold the Aboriginal and treaty rights protected under Canada’s Constitution.
