Establishment of Ice Roads in the Northwest Territories National Historic Event

The Establishment of ice roads in the Northwest Territories was designated a national historic event in 2000.

Historical importance: Integral form of transportation in the Northwest Territories after World War II.

Commemorative plaque: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories^{Footnote 1}

An integral part of transportation systems in the North, engineered ice roads have strengthened regional economic development, especially in the Northwest Territories. Introduced after the Second World War, these roads made the movement of the necessities of life more affordable. They also facilitated the transport of heavy equipment and supplies vital to the mining and petrochemical industries. By providing the only land link to many communities during the winter and by lowering the cost of living, ice roads have greatly improved the quality of life in Canada's North.