L-R: Caroline Wawzonek, Northwest Territories deputy premier, minister of finance, minister of infrastructure, and minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation; Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors; and Caitlin Cleveland, Northwest Territories minister of industry, tourism and investment and minister of education, culture and employment. (Government of Alberta)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

MAY OPEN EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Alberta and N.W.T. partner to expand economic corridors

Jul 3, 2024 | 4:11 PM

Alberta and the Northwest Territories have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on economic corridors in an effort to support growth and development in both jurisdictions.

Economic corridors provide critical links to markets in and out of Alberta, driving economic growth and creating jobs across the province. Increasing Alberta’s access to the north is vital for opening up new export opportunities. This cooperation should link the two jurisdictions to markets outside of western Canada.

“This agreement will strengthen the relationship between Alberta and the Northwest Territories. It will allow us to align shared priorities and projects to benefit families from the U.S.-Canada border to the Arctic Circle,” says Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors. “Canada should be a place for nation-building projects that attract investment, provide jobs, and enrich our people. This work will allow for more opportunities to move products around Canada and the world.”

The agreement includes working co-operatively to enhance critical infrastructure like road and bridge networks to improve the efficiency of transportation and support the movement of both jurisdictions’ resources. This includes the N.W.T.’s vast mineral deposits and Alta.’s energy products. It also focuses on reducing red tape and regulatory hurdles for commercial vehicles travelling between the two areas.

Government of Alberta officials say this partnership will help enhance Alberta’s access to the Arctic, which could open up opportunities to expand exports in key sectors. Furthermore, new corridors in northern Alberta can enable exploration and potential mining access to deposits of precious metals and rare earth elements.

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“Today’s Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta marks a key step in our efforts to enhance coordination on economic corridors between our two jurisdictions,” says Caroline Wawzonek, N.W.T. deputy premiere and minister of finance, minister of infrastructure, and minister responsible for the North West Territories Power Corporation. “This collaboration underscores our desire to support regional connectivity, enhance transportation routes, and deliver reliable energy solutions, fostering sustainable growth for our communities. By working together, we can ensure lasting benefits for Northwest Territories and Alberta residents as well as the broader economy.”

Alberta and the Northwest Territories will work together to ensure driver training and examination services are available for all classes of driver’s licences, while also working towards the harmonization of licensing.

In addition, the agreement will identify opportunities to attract private sector investment and partner with Indigenous communities on economic corridor development. As well, the two jurisdictions will jointly advocate to the federal government and other transportation stakeholders to advance shared economic corridor and transportation priorities.

This partnership between Alberta and the Northwest Territories follows the Western Premiers’ Conference, held in June 2024, which focused on strengthening coordinated planning and continued collaboration between the seven western Canadian jurisdictions on economic corridors. The agreement between Alberta and the Northwest Territories reinforces a commitment to enhancing trade corridors, improving resilience in infrastructure, and increasing market access.

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