N.W.T. government unveils new funding for evacuees, small businesses

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) says it will fund residents who self-evacuated by road and small businesses affected by evacuation orders.

The territory said the Evacuation Travel Support Program will provide a one-time direct deposit of $750 per vehicle for those who evacuated south, and $400 per vehicle for those who evacuated within the territory.

The government will also cover re-entry flights for evacuees who left by road, but are returning by air.

For small businesses, the government has temporarily expanded its Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Policy to offset up to $5,000 in operational costs incurred by the wildfires from May 2023 onward. The new new funding will be accessible until end of March 2024.

Caroline Wawzonek, N.W.T. Minister of Finance and Industry, Tourism and Investment, said in a statement many are anxious about returning home. “While I recognize that this funding does not cover all potential gaps experienced by residents, I hope that it will provide some comfort during these uncertain times,” Wawzonek said.