Major project · Northwest Territories
Mackenzie Valley Highway (MVH)
Also called MVH, Mackenzie Valley Highway Project
Proponent: Government of the Northwest Territories.
Major Projects Office pageWhy it is listed
Federal funding. Federal funding stated: funding
announced federal funding of $405 million through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to advance the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway (MVH) Project in the Northwest Territories.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
ProponentGovernment of the Northwest TerritoriesSource, read Oct. 3, 2026
Status
On August 28, 2026, Canada provided notice in the Canada Gazette that the Governor in Council may amend Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act to list the MVH project as a project of national interest.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Roadmap
- Done
- Not yet reached
Referred to Major Projects OfficeDone
March 12, 2026
On March 12, 2026, the project was referred to the Major Projects Office.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Process toward Building Canada Act listing initiatedDone
3 months after the previous step.
June 24, 2026
On June 24, 2026, the Government of Canada announced the initiation of the process towards potential listing of MVH as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Listing consultations beginDone
About 1 month after the previous step.
July 2026
In July 2026, MPO began consultations with Indigenous communities, the territorial government, and with federal permitting departments, as a part of the process towards assessing the potential listing of MVH
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Review board asked to expand project scope to Dempster HighwayDone
About 1 month after the previous step.
Aug. 14, 2026
On August 14, 2026, the Government of the Northwest Territories requested that the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board expand the project scope
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Canada Gazette notice of potential listingDone
14 days after the previous step.
Aug. 28, 2026
On August 28, 2026, Canada provided notice in the Canada Gazette that the Governor in Council may amend Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act to list the MVH project as a project of national interest.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026$405 million from Arctic Infrastructure Fund announcedDone
11 days after the previous step.
Sept. 8, 2026
On September 8, 2026, Minister MacKinnon and Minister Alty announced federal funding of $405 million through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to advance MVH.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Governor in Council listing decisionNot yet reached
Time from the previous step is not stated.
Date not stated. Not estimated: fewer than five projects date both this step and the previous one.
with the intent for the Minister of One Canadian Economy to make a recommendation for Governor in Council decision by the end of the year.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Breaking groundNot yet reached
Time from the previous step is not stated.
Date not stated.
The Mackenzie Valley Highway – another project referred to the MPO – will be breaking ground this year.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Funding
- $405 million Funding
- $102.5 million Funding
- $18.6 million Funding
No over-budget estimate. These are the commitments the official pages state. None is an original budget set beside a later cost for the same work.
Fundingannounced federal funding of $405 million through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to advance the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway (MVH) Project in the Northwest Territories.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
FundingJune 2018: A total of $102.5 million in National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) funding was announced for the environmental and planning studies for the Mackenzie Valley HighwaySource, read Oct. 3, 2026
FundingSince June 2020: the federal government approved over $18.6 million under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for the planning and design of the new all-season access road from Canyon Creek Bridge to Prohibition Creek BridgeSource, read Oct. 3, 2026
Laws named in the sources
Building Canada Act
This project is being considered for listing under the Building Canada ActSource, read Oct. 3, 2026
The project is listed or considered under this act. Bills that name it are linked below.
Bills
- C-39 (45-1), Building Canada Strong Actin progress · 2Names “Building Canada Act” in its summary, the act this project is listed or considered under.
- C-5 (45-1), One Canadian Economy Actlaw · 6Names “Building Canada Act” in its long title, the act this project is listed or considered under.
Sources
- Major Projects Office page for this project
- The Government of Canada invests $405 million to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project and strengthen Arctic connectivity - Canada.caRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Canada Initiates Process to List Major Projects under the Building Canada Act - Canada.caRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Prime Minister Carney announces ambitious new plan to defend, build, and transform the North | Prime Minister of CanadaRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Prime Minister Carney breaks ground on the Contrecœur terminal expansion at the Port of Montréal | Prime Minister of CanadaRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Building Canada Act – Projects of National Interest - One Canadian Economy - Canada.caRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Major Projects OfficeThe office list this project is drawn from.