The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources was formed from the Energy, Mines and Resources Secretariat in April, 1989. Its activities included the support and regulation of industry in the areas of electrical generation, oil and gas development, mineral development, mineral resources, energy mining and environment, land use planning, and development impact zones. A focus of the GNWT was to achieve northern control over oil and gas resources, particularly relating to a Mackenzie Valley pipeline project. The GNWT and the former Energy, Mines and Resources Secretariat had demanded that responsibility for northern oil and gas management be transferred from the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND). The signing of the proposal for the Northern Accord in September, 1988 opened the way for oil and gas resource management discussions and the potential for the exclusive management of onshore oil and gas development in the NWT by the Territorial Government. In 1989, the Department worked to develop a comprehensive position in consultation with the Dene/Metis, Inuvialuit, and Tungavik Federation of Nunavut groups before final negotiations with the Federal Government. The 'Proposal for the Finalization and Implementation of the Northern Accord' covered a full range of oil and gas issues affecting northern communities and an outline of the structures and processes in place once the transfer of responsibilities occurred. The GNWT acquired the Northern Canada Power Commission in May, 1988 and subsequently established the NWT Power Corporation. The Department also participated in the issuance of new exploration rights to resource companies, helped to train employees for mineral resource development, and worked in conjunction with Environmental Impact Review Boards and the Federal Environment Assessment Review Office (FEARO) on environmental assessments and reviews. Actions of the Department included making reports of industry activities available to local communities, affected parties, and other government agencies. The Department also provided comments for the federal Green Plan and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, completed reviews of oil and gas royalty regulations, and formalized a Petroleum Contingency Plan for national and international energy crises. Under the federal/territorial Northern Oil and Gas Action Program (NOGAP), the Department developed and negotiated funding for the coordination of GNWT projects to improved government preparedness for hydrocarbon development. The Department also developed an energy supply and demand data system for the NWT, and helped the NWT Chamber of Mines conduct mineral exploration surveys annually. The Canada-NWT Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), a sub-agreement of the Economic Development Agreement, cost-shared with the federal government on a 70:30 ratio included the following programs: Geoscience Program, Northern Technological Assistance Program and the Northern Mining Information Program. The Geoscience Program's objective was to increase the mineral data base of the NWT and to assist and encourage mineral exploration. The Northern Technological Assistance Program was to assist private sector industries in the development of innovative technologies, to improve mining operations, and to adapt new technology to northern conditions. The Northern Mining Information Program's objective was to promote greater awareness of the economic importance of mining to the residents of the NWT by targeting both the general public and children in the school systems. The Development Impact Zone Program (DIZ) provided the public an opportunity to participate in decisions on resource development by sitting one of two councils, the Beaufort/Mackenzie Delta Group, or the Shihta Regional Council/DIZ Committee alongside members of the GNWT, DIAND and industry.
The Department of Infrastructure was established April 1, 2017 with the amalgamation of the Department of Public Works and Services and the Department of Transportation. Infrastructure is responsible for strategic planning of public transportation infrastructure (including roads, bridges, ferries, and airports) and energy production and distribution systems; the disposal of surplus government property and goods; environmental impact assessment/regulatory review and approval; information management and technology; Marine Transportation Services; mechanical/electrical regulatory services; motor and vehicle services; planning, design, construction, acquisition, operation and maintenance of public buildings and transportation infrastructure and systems; energy conservation and efficiency programs; property management; and remediation of public infrastructure.
The Northern Canada Power Commission was a federal Crown Corporation originally established in 1948 as the Northwest Territories Power Commission. Its name changed in 1956 to the Northern Canada Power Commission. In May 1988, its name was changed again to the Northwest Territories Power Corporation when it was transferred to the GNWT.