Canadian authorities have opened a new funding window aimed at strengthening core municipal infrastructure in the Northwest Territories, with more than CAD 74 million available for water, wastewater and solid waste projects that support housing development in northern communities.
The funding is being delivered through the Northwest Territories Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (NWT CHIF), a program established under a 10-year agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories, finalized in March 2025. The initiative reflects growing recognition of the role that basic water and waste services play in enabling housing and community growth, particularly in remote and climatically challenging regions.
Under the program, community governments can apply for support for planning or capital projects to plan, build or upgrade drinking water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure. Eligible projects must demonstrate how infrastructure investments will remove barriers to housing development while supporting public services and maintaining existing capacity.
Applications are now being accepted, with deadlines linked to project start dates. Projects expected to begin in 2026 must be submitted by February 28, 2026, while projects planned for 2027 or later have a submission deadline of June 30, 2026. To qualify, projects must be included in a community government’s capital plan, have total eligible costs of at least $1 million, and demonstrate a high level of readiness.
Water infrastructure in the Northwest Territories faces distinct challenges due to geography, climate and community scale. Many systems serve small, remote populations and operate under extreme weather conditions, increasing the complexity and cost of construction, operation and maintenance. Ensuring reliable drinking water and effective wastewater treatment in these settings is closely linked to public health, environmental protection and the long-term viability of housing, making sustained investment in water infrastructure a critical priority for the territory.
