There will be no new taxes for Northwest Territories residents in the 2026–2027 budget, and the government projects a $20 million operating surplus.

The budget, which passed on Thursday, also comes with an estimated $40 million in new spending commitments following negotiations between assembly members and cabinet.

That includes money for supporting initiatives related to inclusive schooling and early literacy screening and intervention.

Inuvik Boot Lake Legislative Assembly member Denny Rodgers praised members for successfully responding to the priorities of their communities during the budget negotiation process, particularly when it came to primary care reform.

“We pushed for real timelines, real staffing commitments and real changes to how people access care,” Rodgers said.

“Cabinet agreed to … establish consistent care teams, fill key vacancies, and expand nurse practitioner and community health nurse roles where communities face chronic gaps.”

But he added that the budget is just a first step, and residents will expect to see tangible improvements in the areas to which the government has committed funding.

The passage of the budget comes at a time when the territory is at a challenging crossroads, Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek told the assembly.

Eyes are on the Arctic

The N.W.T. has faced successive emergencies and now sits in the midst of a geopolitical crisis where the Arctic is in the spotlight.

“The eyes of our nation [are] on the Arctic, and it’s our opportunity to stand as elected leaders … and say that we can work together, identify priorities, identify creative solutions, work toward them collaboratively,” Wawzonek said.

Rodgers told the assembly that Wawzonek has committed to clearer timelines on the Mackenzie Highway, the Taltson Line and the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor – and to meaningful consultation with Indigenous partners and governments.

He said the minister also responded to requests for improved RCMP presence in communities without detachments by committing to overnight accommodations in Gamètì and Tsiigehtchic and improved access to justice services.

But Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart, who voted against the budget, accused the government of settling for the bare minimum.

He criticized the government for failing to fund a dedicated emergency management agency after the House passed a motion calling for one.

“If I am going to support a budget, I want to see the government following the advice of the experts it pays for and the advice that is being given by the house,” he said.

Government has to pick priorities, MLA says

Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon said he has yet to see meaningful investment in his riding from a recent budget.

“What we have … are a lot more bureaucrats to ensure that we can make studies, write reports, and develop strategies and business plans,” he said.

“But there are still not enough people to teach our children or keep our health centres open.”

But Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan, who supported the budget, said the government has to choose priorities.

“I think any of us … could stand up at any time and list a hundred things that we don’t have in the territory, a hundred things that we want … and a hundred more things that we want done better,” she said.

“But we don’t have the resources to do a hundred new things and another a hundred things better each year, and if that was the bottom line for being able to pass a budget, we’d probably never be able to pass one, and we’d never be able to fund any government work, let alone new initiatives.”

The commitments for education are significant, she said, and she appreciates the education minister’s receptiveness to address literacy.

Frame Lake member of the Legislative Assembly Julian Morse told CBC he never goes into negotiations “expecting to get everything,” and he’s happy with some of what members achieved.

“For me, spending money unto itself is not necessarily an achievement,” he said.

“What I was focused on in this budget was outcomes, particularly related to health.”

Morse was very happy with the “wins” in that area, he said.