Fort Simpson organization pushes for relief funds for businesses impacted by wildfires

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-02 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Economy, Emergency, Climate, Industry]

The Dehcho Business Development Centre is lobbying the federal government and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency for a flexible $1 million relief fund to distribute to businesses impacted by summer wildfires in communities like Fort Simpson and Wrigley, Northwest Territories. The territorial government rejected a similar proposal, directing applicants instead to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment's existing entrepreneur support stream for case-by-case reviews. Affected local enterprises, such as the construction business E&R Ventures owned by Howard Hardisty, suffered extensive property and equipment losses valued at approximately $125,000 during the evacuations and prolonged wildfire smoke.