The Department of National Defence will host an April public meeting in Inuvik to discuss planned infrastructure investments, the town says.
The gathering takes place on April 21 at 6pm at the Midnight Sun Complex.
According to a town notice on Monday, the event is intended to “share information about these plans and to hear directly from the community.” DND representatives are expected to take questions.
The town is asking residents to fill out a survey ahead of the meeting.
A recent DND procurement notice revealed that coming defence infrastructure upgrades in Inuvik and Yellowknife may exceed $5 billion per location over the next 15 years.
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So far, DND has said the projects will modernize northern operational support hubs with upgraded runways, facilities and communication systems. More detail is understood to be on the way.
DND has stated it expects to award Inuvik infrastructure contracts this summer, followed by Yellowknife in the fall.
Denny Rodgers, the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, told the legislature on Monday there is “most definitely an interest in the Arctic.” He emphasized the importance of building capacity and allocating resources where they are needed most.
“We’re now at a point where we know there’s significant funding earmarked for meaningful infrastructure in the two northern operational hubs of Inuvik and Yellowknife,” he said.
“We need to ensure we have boots on the ground that are well-versed in all things Beaufort Delta, to ensure we have the expertise to advise the GNWT as well as liaise with the DND – making critical decisions around logistics, procurement, culture and other areas where local knowledge will be imperative.”
