DND, GNWT hosting public town halls in Yellowknife and Inuvik

The territorial government and the Department of National Defence together with the Canadian Armed Forces are planning town halls for the city of Yellowknife and the town of Inuvik.

Strategic Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek says the meetings are focused on discussing dual-use infrastructure defence investments, including the “modernization” of the North American Aerospace Defence Command.

Minister Wawzonek said that the sessions aim to provide information and give members of the public a chance to ask questions.

Last week, Assistant Deputy Infrastructure Minister Sam Shannon said YZF may be moving to a new location soon, with the planning of a new terminal in the works.

Shannon said the planning and engagement began last year with civil and military stakeholders. The new infrastructure would focus on strategic dual military and economic uses, said Shannon.

Shannon added that due to the terminal’s aging infrastructure and because surrounding development has “boxed in” the facility, a long-term replacement of YZF is being planned in collaboration with the Department of National Defence.

The territorial government is working with the department on scoping and planning which will include more accessible facilities, a longer runway and flexible infrastructure for more international flights.

The planning committee says they plan to create a website with the information accessible online for the public.

Earlier this month, Yellowknife city council voted in favour of entering into an agreement with the federal government for engineering design planning to potentially extend water and sewer infrastructure out to the airport area.

City Manager Stephen Van Dine reported there is a “great amount of interest” from the federal defence department to move forward with the plan.

On March 12, Prime Minister Mark Carney committed billions of dollars into Northern defence infrastructure including airports and bases located in four northern communities, including Yellowknife. PM Carney committed to a $294 million investment for Arctic airports.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife on April 23 at 7 pm. Another session is scheduled to take place in Inuvik at the Midnight Sun complex on April 21 at 6 pm.