Tlicho All-Season Road
Torys acted as counsel to the Government of the Northwest Territories as the public authority for the Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road PPP project to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a new 97 km, 2 lane all-season road northwest of Yellowknife.
The project won two awards for Innovation and Excellence from the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP)
- 2019 Gold Award for Project Development
- 2024 Gold Award for P3 Service Delivery
Developed in partnership with the Tłı̨chǫ Government—established under the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement in August 2005 as the governing authority for the Tłı̨chǫ territorial lands—this is the first transportation project undertaken by the Government of the Northwest Territories as a public-private partnership.
In addition to the new two-lane road to the community of Whatì, the project required the construction of four new bridges and one large arched culvert.
The all-season road will greatly improve the quality of life for residents of the Whatì community, which has historically been accessible only by an ice road that is closed several months of the year.
Further information on the project can be found on the Tłı̨chǫ Government's website.
Torys acted as counsel with a team that includes Mark Bain, Dan Ford, Andy Gibbons, Christie Kneteman and Jessica Earle.
Torys also acted on the following in connection with this project:
| Jurisdiction | Tłı̨chǫ and Wek'èezhìi Lands |
| Province/State | Northwest Territories |
| Country | Canada |
| Nature of Engagement | Public-Private Partnerships, Procurement, Project Finance |
| Government Level | Provincial |
| Procurement Model | DBFOM - Design Build Finance Operate Maintain |
| Client | Government of the Northwest Territories |
| Client Role | Public Authority |
| Value | $185,000,000 CAD |
| Key Features | Indigenous involvement |