The federal government invests in the construction of an all-season road in the NWT
A 170 km road will connect the Liard Road to the Prairie Creek mine, promoting access to Indigenous territories and Nahanni National Park
IJL – Réseau.Press – L’Aquilon
A new all-weather road between Liard Road (No. 7) and the Prairie Creek mine site will be constructed to provide year-round transportation access to the Prairie Creek mine site. The road, not far from Nahanni Bute, will be 170 km long and also open to the public.
The news was announced in Yellowknife this Monday, June 24, by the Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, Michael McLeod. The investment, which can reach $25 million, will be made to the mining company NorZinc Ltd., as part of the National Trade Corridors Fund. According to a memo distributed to journalists, the new road will facilitate production at the Prairie Creek mine and the transportation of critical minerals from the mine to international markets, “which could generate an estimated $8 billion in revenue for Canada and the Government of the NWT over the next 20 years,” it reads.
(From left to right): The Chief of the Nahɂą Dehé Dene Band, Steve Vital, the Chief of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ First Nations Kų́ę́, Kele Antoine, the Executive President of NorZinc Ltd., Robin Bienenstock, the Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, Michael McLeod, and Claudine Lee, of Norzinc Ltd. (Photo: Cristiano Pereira)
A project that listens to communities
“This project will bring decisive benefits to the region and provide year-round access not only to the mining site, but also to the traditional territories of the Nahɂą Dehé Dene Band, as well as areas of the national park, which are currently not accessible only a few months a year by a winter road,” said Michael McLeod during the project presentation in Yellowknife.
He also noted that the road will benefit local Indigenous communities and boost tourism and ecotourism in the Nahanni National Park Nature Reserve. The federal MP noted that the project will help Prairie Creek Mines produce and transport critical minerals such as zinc, silver and lead to international markets.
“This project could contribute $8 billion to the economy over the next 20 years,” he said.
“A reliable and resilient transportation system is essential to keeping people and communities connected. It allows them to access the goods and services they need, when they need them and at affordable prices. Investments like this will make our supply chains more efficient and reliable, more resilient, and increase the flow of goods and trade across Canada,” he concluded.
The new road will have a transformative effect for First Nations in the region, believes the Executive President of NorZinc Ltd., Robin Bienenstock, who was also present at the project presentation. She highlighted “increased economic activity leading to job creation, the development of new transport infrastructure and better services for people who live and work in this northern and remote region”.
The conference announcing the new road was also attended by the chief of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nations, Kele Antoine.
“This initiative presents a tremendous opportunity for the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nations and the Nahɂą Dehé Dene Band. By leveraging the economic infrastructure and environmental benefits offered by this project, we can propel our community toward sustainable development,” he said.
The chief also indicated that this project “aligns perfectly with the principles of Treaty No. 11, which are dear to us” before emphasizing “the vital importance of respecting our traditional knowledge and ensuring that any development project respects not only our heritage, but also contributes to the long-term prosperity and well-being of indigenous communities.”
Construction of the road is expected to begin in 2025 and take two years.
