‘Extremely disappointed’: N.W.T. minister on dismissal of appeal of CN Rail decision

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Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 22:48:55.0
Tags: [National, Transportation, Infrastructure, Resources, Mining]

The Federal Court of Appeal dismissed the Northwest Territories government's appeal of a Canadian Transportation Agency decision, upholding CN Rail's choice to discontinue and not repair a 30-kilometre rail line between Enterprise and Hay River, N.W.T. CN Rail initially announced the discontinuation in May 2024 following wildfire damage in 2023, citing that repair costs outweighed customer demand. Northwest Territories Infrastructure Minister Vince McKay expressed disappointment, noting that losing the rail connection increases transportation costs, places more pressure on highways, and threatens northern supply chains supporting critical minerals projects.

Alaska port gets 1st funds from Yukon mine to study options for shipping critical minerals

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-21 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Mining, Resources, Infrastructure, Transportation, Trade]

Selkirk Copper Mines Inc., controlled by the Selkirk First Nation, has provided $200,000 US to the Municipality of Skagway, Alaska, to finance a scoping study for shipping critical mineral concentrates through the Port of Skagway. The study aims to evaluate modern, environmentally responsible shipping methods for bulk mineral concentrates from the former Minto copper-gold-silver mine, which has been inactive since 2023 and is targeting a restart in 2028. The Port of Skagway previously secured $38.6 million US in federal grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s port infrastructure development program to build a modern industrial dock.

Nunavut pitches major infrastructure projects at Canada’s Investment Summit

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-16 17:29:31.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Energy, Transportation, Resources, Indigenous]

Nunavut Premier John Main and Inuit leaders, including representatives from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, attended Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Canada Investment Summit in Toronto to pitch four major territorial infrastructure projects. The proposed projects include the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project, the Grays Bay Road and Port, and the Qikiqtarjuaq Deep-Sea Port. Notably, the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project and the Grays Bay Road and Port have been designated as projects of national interest and placed on the federal government's Major Projects Office fast-track list. Territorial leaders emphasized the necessity of early Inuit involvement and regulatory compliance to address Nunavut's significant infrastructure gap in energy and transportation.

N.W.T.’s ice road to 3 diamond mines unlikely to open for 2027 season

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-14 23:13:23.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mining, Resources, Indigenous]

The Northwest Territories’ Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road is unlikely to open for the 2027 operational season, marking the first closure since the ice road opened in 1982. Operated annually from February to March, the road services three diamond mines northeast of Yellowknife: the Rio Tinto-owned Diavik mine, the Ekati mine overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers under creditor protection, and De Beers' Gahcho Kué mine. The suspension is driven by the end of commercial production and active remediation at Diavik and Ekati, alongside financial difficulties at Gahcho Kué that accelerated its closure timeline to 2028. Indigenous corporations and contractors such as Det'on Cho Logistics, owned by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, face significant economic impacts from the loss of infrastructure maintenance and lodge operations, though winter road service is expected to tentatively return in 2028 to support ongoing cleanup efforts.

N.W.T.’s ice road to 3 diamond mines unlikely to open for 2027 season

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-14 23:13:23.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mining, Resources, Indigenous]

The Northwest Territories' Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road is unlikely to open for the 2027 operating season for the first time since opening in 1982, due to the end of commercial production and financial restructuring at three major diamond mines: Rio Tinto-owned Diavik, Ekati (overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers under creditor protection), and De Beers' Gahcho Kué. Management committee director Howard Nowell stated that the closure decision provides early clarity for contractors, service providers, and support communities, though operations are expected to resume in 2028 to support ongoing site remediation and clean-up efforts. Marc Whitford, president of the North Slave Métis Alliance, noted the suspension will negatively impact Indigenous-owned corporations and contractors such as Det'on Cho Logistics, which rely on the winter infrastructure for seasonal employment and transport.