N.W.T.’s premier is calling on Canada’s next prime minister to invest in the North [Video]

Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson is calling on Canada’s next Prime Minister to invest in the North.

Earlier this week, Simpson published an open letter in the online newspaper The Hub, arguing that investments in the N.W.T. will benefit all of Canada, saying the country “cannot afford to overlook the Northwest Territories.” It was addressed to all federal leaders in Canada.

Premier Simpson spoke to Northbeat host Meghan Roberts about that letter Friday, and why he is hopeful that politicians in Ottawa are ready to invest in the territories.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

In your letter, you write: “Canada must choose: by 2030, will we be a northern power, or a bystander in our own backyard?” I’m wondering which of those two you think Canada is right now?

There’s a lot of attention on the North right now from around the world, and finally from our own federal government as well, because of the pressure from …