The Northwest Territories (NWT) government has embarked on a long-term tourism strategy, ‘Tourism 2030,’ designed to shape the region’s tourism industry for the rest of the decade. This comprehensive plan, building on the successful Tourism 2025 initiative, will involve extensive stakeholder engagement and focus on sustainable growth opportunities, making the NWT a premier destination for eco-tourism, adventure, and cultural experiences.
Wildfires are spreading rapidly in Western Canada, prompting evacuation orders and alerts in several areas. In Alberta, a fire near Fort McMurray has grown to over 1,000 hectares and is listed as out-of-control, forcing the evacuation of residents. An evacuation order has also been issued for Grand Prairie County No. 1 due to a nearby wildfire. In British Columbia, an evacuation order has been issued for the town of Fort Nelson as a wildfire poses a threat to human life. The wildfire service suspects the fire to be human-caused and is battling it with ground crews and air support. In the Northwest Territories, six active wildfires are burning, with the largest fire affecting over 1,500 hectares. Government officials have warned of potential damage from the fires due to warm temperatures and drought conditions, following the worst wildfire season on record in 2021.
Northwestern Territories Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have expressed concerns regarding the recent updates to the territory’s emergency plan during a public ministerial briefing. MLA Shauna Morgan criticized the updates for lacking clarity and failing to address the unique role Yellowknife plays as a hub for neighboring communities during evacuations. Morgan emphasized the need for the plan to acknowledge the varying capacities of municipalities in handling emergencies. In addition, MLAs Richard Edjericon and Richard Hawkins raised concerns about the absence of a fire plan in Fort Resolution and questioned the role of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) in assisting communities with emergency planning. Despite assurances from Minister Vince McKay that communities are prepared to handle emergencies, MLAs maintained their concerns about the effectiveness of the plan and the need for further clarity and support for local authorities.
The Northwest Territories government has criticized Paramount Resources Ltd.’s remediation efforts following a spill at the Pointed Mountain Surge Pond in June 2022. The spill involved 4,000 cubic meters of fluids and the government has expressed concerns about the company’s use of emergency measures as a long-term solution. The company has also been accused of violating the Waters Act in 2018 and is now facing a lawsuit from the Acho Dene Koe First Nation for allegedly not honoring community benefit agreements.
