Northwest Territories - a place of tranquility and strength

In this article, we'll cover the following topics:

• geographical location;
• climate;
• where to live;
• crime;
• education;
• work and salary;
• prices and taxes;
• healthcare;
• population;
• what to see;
• immigration programs.

The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada, spanning an area of about 1,144,000 sq km, which is equivalent to the combined area of France, Portugal, and Spain. It's also the most populous of Canada's three northern territories.

The Northwest Territories borders two other Canadian territories: Nunavut to the east and Yukon to the west, as well as the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan to the south. The Arctic Ocean borders it to the north.

The region is known for its natural resources: forests, gold, diamonds, natural gas, and oil. The Northwest Territories is twice the size of Ukraine, but only 45,000 people live in this part of Canada (as of 2025), with half of them in the capital, Yellowknife. This city, located on the shore of Great Slave Lake, is both a major industrial center and a scenic place with rich opportunities for recreation and tourism.

Climate

While Nunavut is mostly Arctic tundra, the Northwest Territories has a warmer climate and is a mix of taiga and tundra.

The southern part of the territory (most of the mainland) has a subarctic climate, while the islands and northern coast have a polar climate.

Summers in the north are short and cool, while winters are long and harsh. The coldest nights can reach -40/-45 °C.

Major Cities

The capital city Yellowknife is the center of the Northwest Territories with a population of 20,637. It supports 50% of the community and is perfect for art lovers who enjoy being in nature. Hay River has a population of 3,724 and is known as the "Hub of the North." It has several beautiful beaches and waterfalls worth visiting if you're heading to the Northwest Territories, as well as plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, especially for fishing and kayaking enthusiasts. Inuvik has a population of 3,586. It offers all the amenities of city life along with the beauty and splendor of the Arctic tundra, flora, and fauna. Fort Smith, with a population of 2,466, is known for its rich history and natural beauty, and is also the educational center of the Northwest region.

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All these cities boast numerous natural wonders and a unique charm not found in big cities. The communities here are very close-knit, ideal for raising a family.

Fun fact! You might not know that the Northwest Territories is home to some of the best (if not THE best) places in the world to see the Northern Lights, where bright red, blue, green, and yellow colors dance and move across the night sky.

Attractions and Tourism

The best thing the Northwest Territories can offer is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the wilderness, step out of your comfort zone, and easily blend into the local community.

Great Slave Lake

Great Slave Lake, bordering the provincial capital Yellowknife, is the deepest lake in North America (613 meters) and the tenth largest lake in the world. You can explore it from the air by renting a seaplane or go fishing for lake trout and pike.

Nahanni National Park

If you want to truly experience the northern wilderness, head to Nahanni National Park Reserve. The swift Nahanni River flows through the reserve, passing through four large canyons up to 1,220 meters deep. At one point, the river plunges 90 meters off a cliff, forming Virginia Falls, which is twice the height of Niagara Falls. Sulfur hot springs, mountain ranges, tundra, and forests can all be found within Nahanni. It's no wonder the park received National Geographic's best trips award in 2014.

Great Northern Arts Festival

In the Northwest Territories, there are 56 days of 24-hour daylight. Instead of worrying about how this might affect sleep, locals celebrate this season to the fullest. For over a quarter of a century, the Great Northern Arts Festival has showcased the work of 120 northern artists, sculptors, musicians, and indigenous artists from across the country.

Fun fact! In Inuvik, there's a church called Our Lady of Victory, often referred to as the "Igloo Church." And for good reason — the church building is indeed constructed to preserve the distinctive features of Eskimo dwellings: round shape and white color.

Healthcare

Canada offers many benefits to all its permanent residents, including free healthcare and public education up to grade 12, and the Northwest Territories is no exception.

You can apply for free health insurance after living in the territory for 3 months. However, there are services not covered by health insurance:

• hospital expenses that exceed the standard cost for private or semi-private accommodation;
• cosmetic surgery;
• services considered experimental;
• ambulance expenses (except for transfers between hospitals);
• dental services, except for special procedures related to jaw injury or disease;
• alcohol and drug rehabilitation.

$$

Education

As mentioned earlier, school education in this part of Canada is also free. Compared to Nunavut, the Northwest Territories has a sufficient number of schools.

However, when it comes to higher education institutions, there's only one — Aurora College, with campuses in Inuvik, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife, as well as 23 other learning centers throughout the territory.

The cost of education for international students is $5,400 CAD per year, plus various student fees, as well as payments for study materials, accommodation, etc.

Crime

For the 10th consecutive year, the territory has recorded a higher crime severity index than any other Canadian province or territory.

Most crimes are related to illegal trafficking, production, import and export of cocaine; sexual violence; assaults and threats.

Communities

The Northwest Territories has 33 communities, making this part of Canada a multicultural society that's easy for foreigners to integrate into. There are also several indigenous tribes, with half identifying as Aboriginal, as well as Dene, Inuit, Inuvialuit and Métis. The territory also has an active French-speaking community.

Whether you're interested in outdoor activities, cultural and music festivals, or dining out, you'll find something to suit your tastes in the Northwest Territories.

Fun fact! North American Indians, English, Canadians, Scots, Inuit, Irish, Ukrainians, and French are the main ethnic groups in the Northwest Territories.

Taxes

Taxpayers in this part of Canada are very lucky — they only pay the federal GST, which is just 5%. In comparison, residents of Quebec pay almost 15%. In addition to GST, there's income tax, which depends on your salary and is calculated as follows:

Prices

Due to its remote location, food costs in the Northwest Territories are higher than the Canadian average. A meal for two at a restaurant costs $85-95 CAD, takeaway coffee is $6 CAD, and a liter of milk and a loaf of bread are $3.20 and $3.10 CAD respectively.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment here will cost $1,200-1,400 CAD. A three-bedroom apartment can be rented for $1,800-2,000 CAD. If you're thinking of buying a house (100 sq.m.), expect to pay $350,000-400,000 CAD.

Other monthly expenses:

• Transit pass — $55
• Doctor's visit — $70
• Internet — $70
• Gym membership — $70
• Daycare — $900

Jobs and Salaries

Currently, there are hundreds of job openings in the Northwest Territories, especially for mid-skilled workers. This part of Canada offers jobs in management positions in industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as in mining, hospitality, education, and healthcare. The minimum wage in the territory is $16.70 CAD per hour as of September 2024, which is one of the highest rates in the country.

The top 3 cities to find work are Yellowknife, Hay River, and Inuvik, with Fort Smith nearby. Salaries range from $60,000 CAD for carpenters to $110,000 CAD for industrial electricians.

Immigration

The province has its own immigration program — Northwest Territories Nominee Program. It includes several streams:

— For candidates who have received a job offer for low-skilled work in the Northwest Territories and have worked in that position for at least 6 months (Critical Impact Workers);

— For candidates who have received a skilled job offer in the Northwest Territories (Skilled Workers);

— For skilled professionals who are registered in the Express Entry system and meet the criteria for the Skilled Workers stream (Express Entry Stream for Skilled Workers);

— For entrepreneurs wishing to start a business or invest in a business in the Northwest Territories (Business).

By choosing one of these streams, you can receive a nomination from the Northwest Territories, which allows you to apply for permanent residence in Canada and — after three years of permanent residence — for Canadian citizenship.

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