GNWT releases discussion paper to guide resource royalty engagements
Yellowknife — February 18, 2022
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released a discussion paper titled Review of Royalty Regulations in the NWT to guide engagements on the royalty regime and Mineral Resources Act Regulations (MRAR).
The discussion paper, supported by a research paper, is the second and next step in the review of the NWT royalty regime, following the PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) 2020 report on Benchmarking of the NWT Mining Fiscal Regime. This is a part of a multi-phased approach underway since 2019.
In collaboration with the members of the NWT Intergovernmental Council (IGC), the GNWT developed the discussion paper with the intent of supporting an informed conversation on the NWT royalty regime. As the territorial government prepares to engage NWT leaders and residents on the design of new regulations for the Mineral Resources Act (MRA), the discussion paper and other research papers provide an important background on the environment in which royalties are administered and determined.
The current regime for administering royalties in the NWT is the same regime used by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for more than 60 years. In recognition that the regulations need to adapt to evolving governance principles and the operating environment, the regulations will be reviewed and discussed in the upcoming engagements.
To have your say on the NWT’s resource royalty regime, visit: https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/engagements/review-mineral-resources-royalties
Quote
“We are continuing the work to do a comprehensive, collaborative and multi-phased approach on the review of the NWT royalty regime with a discussion paper that will guide the upcoming engagements. The discussion paper is supported by a technical research paper which examines potential pathways for an updated royalty regime. As we ready for the engagements with Indigenous government partners, industry and members of the public, we hope to have productive conversations on enhancing a stable and competitive royalty regime that benefits the people of the NWT.”
– Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Quick facts
- This is the second step to complete a comprehensive review of the royalty regime.
- The discussion paper presents areas to consider for amendments to the royalty regulations as a clear starting point.
- The discussion paper, Review of Resource Royalties in the NWT, has a technical research companion document, entitled Review of Royalty Regulations in the Development of Resources Legislation in the NWT.
Related links
- Review of Royalty Regulations in the Development of Resources Legislation in the NWT (Research Paper)
- Tax and Royalty Benchmark: Mining in the Northwest Territories (2020)
- Have your say: Review of Mineral Resources Royalties
For media requests, please contact:
Jacqueline McKinnon
Senior Strategic Advisor
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
767-9202 ext. 63039
The original press release can be found on the NWT government website
