As mining and investment leaders gather in Toronto this week for the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference, the Northwest Territories (NWT) is once again front and centre in the conversation about Canada’s critical minerals future. With global demand soaring and geopolitical tensions heightening the need for secure supply chains, the NWT is uniquely positioned to help Canada strengthen its economic and national security interests. But to seize this opportunity, we need the federal government to lean in and ensure northern development is not just a talking point but a national priority.
Our message to Ottawa is clear: if Canada is serious about critical minerals and Arctic sovereignty, then it must match ambition with action in the North. Mineral development in the NWT is not just about economic growth; it is a strategic investment in securing Canada’s place in the global resource landscape while reinforcing our presence in the Arctic.
For Canada to fully capitalize on its northern potential, targeted support is needed. One key measure is applying a 15 percent stackable northern tax exploration credit to both the federal Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC) and the Critical Minerals Exploration Tax Credit (CMETC) in the three territories for a minimum of five years. This additional incentive would level the playing field for companies operating in our remote and challenging environment, where exploration costs are significantly higher than in southern Canada. This is not about asking for special treatment—it’s about ensuring that Canada’s North remains competitive. Investors have choices, and without competitive incentives, capital will flow elsewhere, and our vast, untapped critical mineral deposits will remain just that—untapped. The federal government has already recognized the importance of critical minerals—now it’s time to put in place the policies that will actually unlock development.
The connection between mineral development and Arctic sovereignty cannot be overstated. As global competition intensifies, resource-rich regions are becoming battlegrounds for economic and strategic influence. Canada’s ability to establish a strong, sustainable presence in the North is directly tied to our capacity to develop our resources and support the communities that live here. A strong mining sector means year-round economic activity, improved infrastructure, and strengthened local and Indigenous economies. But it also means greater control over our northern territories at a time when global powers are increasingly looking to the Arctic for economic and geopolitical advantage. Developing northern resources is not just an economic opportunity—it’s a chance for Canada to secure its place as a global leader in the critical minerals economy and Arctic security.
I am pleased that Minister Caitlin Cleveland is representing the Northwest Territories at PDAC, showcasing our critical mineral potential and our government’s leadership on economic development. As chair of the Committee on Internal Trade (CITT), Minister Cleveland is playing a key role in driving investment and economic opportunity, not just in the NWT but across Canada. Her leadership in advancing northern economic priorities is essential as we work to align territorial and federal policy to unlock the North’s full potential.
The Northwest Territories is ready to lead in critical mineral development. The resources are here, the communities are ready, and the industry is eager to invest. What we need now is a federal partnership that matches our ambition. A 15 percent top-up to the METC is a practical, targeted measure that will drive exploration, unlock investment, and strengthen Canada’s presence in the Arctic. This is not just an investment in the North—it is an investment in Canada’s future, in our economic security, and in our sovereignty. The time for action is now. Let’s seize this opportunity together.
