The $16 billion Mackenzie Gas Project encompasses: (i) development of three onshore natural gas fields in the North West Territories (NWT) which pose a direct threat to a migratory bird sanctuary, endangered wildlife species and hundreds of streams and rivers; (ii) a 457-kilometre pipeline to carry natural gas liquids from Inuvik, Northwest Territories (NWT) to an existing oil pipeline at Norman Wells, NWT; and (iii) a 1,196-kilometre long Mackenzie Valley Pipeline which would run from the Beaufort Sea to northwestern Alberta carrying up to 34.3 million cubic metres (1.2 billion cubic feet) of natural gas per day to be used to power growing oil sands production.

The license application was filed in 2004 and the NEB began hearing evidence in January 2006. Final arguments were completed April 2010. In total, the Board held hearing sessions over 58 days in 15 communities throughout the Northwest Territories and Northern Alberta. More than 200 individuals and organizations participated in the NEB's hearing. The NEB attached 264 conditions that must be met for any federal permits and licenses. The project still requires Cabinet approval from the Canadian Federal Government.

The Mackenzie Gas Project has benefit and access agreements in three regions with the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in and the Sahtu Dene. There is no agreement with the Dehcho who occupy 40 per cent of the land the proposed pipeline will go through in the southwest North West Territories.

"Canada is once again violating an agreement with our people and trying to open sensitive lands to industrial development. We'll fight them every step of the way," said Dehcho Grand Chief Samuel Gargan.