Current Status 

• The project is under environmental assessment before the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.
• Project engagement is ongoing, and Consultation has been initiated with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations.
• The GNWT is concurrently completing outstanding environmental and engineering studies to inform project design and planning.
• Funding required to advance planning studies and complete the EA for the MVH was secured in 2018, under Transport Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund.
• Extensive effort has gone into advancing environmental and engineering studies, traditional knowledge studies, socio-economic impact assessment studies and community engagement. In addition 20.7 km of road has been constructed since 2018 through community capacity building projects.
• The GNWT has signed an MOU with Sahtú Secretariat Incorporated and continues to work with Indigenous governments and organizations to advance the project.

Next Steps

Once the environmental assessment is completed, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board will issue its Report of Environmental Assessment. Upon receiving the final Ministers’ decision of approval and a formal decision by the GNWT to advance the Project to construction, next steps will include:

• 2025: EA, Indigenous engagement, and environmental and engineering work (updating the MVH Business Case)

• 2025/early 2026: Report of EA and Responsible Ministers’ Decision.
• 2027: Regulatory permitting and authorizations to support construction. 
• Ongoing: Work to finalize project design, update project specific business case and develop detailed costing estimated, and identify and evaluate construction funding opportunities.
• A final construction decision, anticipated in late 2027/early 2028 is contingent upon the EA, regulatory permitting and funding.