Seeking Devolution

Since the 1970s, the Government of Canada has been transferring some of its decision-making powers to the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). This transfer process is called devolution. It has given the people of the NWT more control and responsibility for health care, social services, education, and management of airports and the forest industry, just like in the provinces. 

The GNWT and Aboriginal governments are working on an agreement with Canada that will allow the people of the NWT to make decisions about what happens on their land. This devolution agreement will give the GNWT the legal responsibility for managing the land's rich resources and the many related activities around land, water, minerals, oil and gas, the environment and archaeological resources.

Devolution is an important step that will allow the people of the Northwest Territories to make important decisions about how they govern themselves and how they manage and protect their resources.

For more information, visit INAC NWT - Devolution.