By Jamie Hyland, MiningIR
Monday, March 2, 2026
TORONTO, ONTARIO — Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories took a major step toward improving regulatory coordination for northern resource development on Sunday evening, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the widely attended Invest North of 60 Reception at PDAC 2026.
The reception, a cornerstone event during the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada convention, brought together leaders from Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, alongside federal ministers, territorial premiers, Indigenous leaders, and mining executives. The gathering underscored the growing strategic importance of Canada’s North in supplying the minerals required for global economic growth and the energy transition.
During the reception, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, joined the Honourable Jay MacDonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister of Justice for the Government of the Northwest Territories, to formally sign the agreement aimed at strengthening regulatory coordination between federal and territorial governments.
“This Memorandum of Understanding reflects our shared commitment to strong, effective, and respectful regulatory systems in the Northwest Territories. By working more closely with the Government of the Northwest Territories, and in partnership with Indigenous governments and organizations, we are strengthening co‑management and supporting sustainable development that respects Indigenous rights and benefits Northerners and Canadians.” The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
The MOU is intended to improve efficiency and clarity in regulatory processes governing natural resource projects in the territory. By aligning federal and territorial oversight more closely, the agreement seeks to reduce duplication, enhance predictability for project proponents, and support responsible resource development while maintaining strong environmental protections and meaningful Indigenous participation.
Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson emphasized that regulatory collaboration must reflect the territory’s governance framework rooted in modern treaties.
“This MOU reflects our shared commitment to making the Northwest Territories’ regulatory system stronger, more coordinated, and more predictable, all while respecting Indigenous rights and ensuring rigorous environmental oversight,” Simpson said. “By working more closely with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, we are improving alignment, reducing duplication, and supporting the partners who play a central role in these processes.”
The federal government also highlighted the importance of Indigenous co-management in northern regulatory processes.
“The Northwest Territories’ regulatory system is built on Modern Treaties and shared decision-making with Indigenous governments,” said the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories. “Through this MOU, we will work together to make regulatory processes clearer and more predictable, while protecting Indigenous rights and the environment.”
Industry participants attending the reception welcomed the development as a positive step toward improving the investment climate in northern Canada.
Graydon Kowal, Director, President & CEO of Guardian Exploration Inc. (TSXV: GX | OTCQB: GXUSF | Frankfurt: R6B), said the announcement signals growing alignment between governments and the exploration sector. “With gold, silver, and base metal discoveries across Nunavut and the Yukon, it’s encouraging to see the North moving in lockstep with the federal government,” Kowal said. “I applaud tonight’s developments and look forward to getting back onto our projects with exploration.”
The signing marked a significant moment for northern resource development and sent a strong signal to investors gathered at PDAC that governments are actively working to create clearer pathways for responsible project advancement.
As conversations continued late into the evening, the Invest North of 60 Reception highlighted the North’s expanding role in Canada’s mineral future, reinforcing how collaboration between governments, Indigenous partners, and industry will be essential in unlocking the region’s vast resource potential.
