By Cory Vanthuyne One of the first questions asked about a proposed Northern project is often fairly simple: “Who actually approves it?” In the Northwest Territories, the answer is usually, “It depends.” That is not an attempt to avoid the question. The answer may depend on where the project is located, who owns the land, how water will be used, which Indigenous rights and agreements apply, what environmental effects may occur, where the funding is coming from and which gover

By Cory Vanthuyne Picture an early meeting between a large national firm and a Northern organization. The national firm arrives with a strong resume, an experienced team and examples of major projects completed across Canada and around the world. Its people have reviewed the available reports, studied the opportunity and started thinking about what they can bring to it. Across the table are people who may have lived with the proposed project for twenty years. They know the ea

By Cory Vanthuyne Interest in the Northwest Territories is growing. Major infrastructure proposals, critical-mineral development, defence and Arctic-security priorities, energy projects and renewed attention to Northern sovereignty are bringing new organizations, investors and professional firms north. Many will arrive with strong technical capabilities, experienced teams and impressive project histories. The North needs that expertise. The scale of the opportunity in front o