Northwest Territories

Regional Opportunities

These characteristics provide the basis upon which many opportunities are evolving for the Corridor.


  • Development of large-scale diamond, gold, lead/zinc mines.
  • Secondary industries related to diamond processing
  • Oil and gas exploration in Fort Liard, Norman Wells and Inuvik areas
  • Extension of Mackenzie Highway system from Fort Simpson to Tsigehtchic
  • New oil/gas pipeline developments in Mackenzie Valley and Liard areas.
  • Aboriginal, wilderness and eco-tourism opportunities

The Northwest Transportation and Trade Corridor Capability Report, by highlighting these characteristics, illustrates the prominent opportunities associated with the Corridor's transportation, tourism, and industrial and economic development. Further, the report's review of the Corridor's comparative advantages, helps form the basis upon which a strategy can be prepared for the Corridor to complete effectively with southern corridors and ports.

The NWT and Yukon hold about 25% of Canada's discovered resources of conventional recovered light crude oil and natural gas. More important is the fact that the Territories harbour an estimated 40% of Canada's future discoveries of both commodities.

Mining and petroleum development appear certain to become the prime source of economic wealth for the NWT in the years to come. Tourism, arts and crafts and the renewable resource industries as also important and there is room for further expansion of these industries.

Key Linkages

  • Highway - Primary highways (Highways: 3, 5, 7)
  • Railway - Alberta RaiLink system (Hay River to Smith)
  • Airports - Regular scheduled service to Yellowknife (Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Simpson)
  • Barge - NTCL barge service from Hay River to Mackenzie River communities

Major Industries

  • Mining and mineral exploration (diamonds, gold, lead/zinc)
  • Oil and gas (exploration, production, pipelines)
  • Transportation (air, barge and trucking)
  • Tourism (summer and winter activities)
  • Other (manufacturing, construction, transportation)

New Opportunities

  • Ekati Underground Program - $182 million
  • Construction of Second Dike at Diavik - $150 million
  • Development of the Snap Lake Diamond Mine- $450 Million
  • Development of the Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline - $4.5 Billion
  • Development of the Beaufort gas and Sahtu oil deposits- $1.5 Billion
  • Cameron Hills - $150 Million
  • Fort Liard area gas deposits- $130 Million