Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Premier of the Northwest Territories, R.J. Simpson, to discuss shared priorities.
The Prime Minister and the Premier spoke about strengthening Arctic security and sovereignty, advancing critical infrastructure projects, and building more homes that Northerners and Canadians can afford. The two leaders discussed opportunities to further accelerate clean economic growth in the Northwest Territories, including harnessing the potential of critical minerals and clean electricity to enhance energy security and deliver economic benefits for Northern communities.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Simpson also discussed the impacts of climate change in the Northwest Territories and highlighted the responsibility of all orders of government to work together to increase resilience to climate threats.
The leaders acknowledged the upcoming visit to Ottawa of a delegation from the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders and expressed their shared commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The Prime Minister recognized that the Northwest Territories is one of three jurisdictions in Canada, along with British Columbia and the federal government, to have passed legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the Premier’s leadership in establishing collaborative governance with Indigenous Peoples as a priority for his government, and for the close partnership between the federal government and the Northwest Territories.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Simpson agreed to remain in close contact and to continue working together on issues that matter to Northerners and all Canadians.