By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News
The Government of Nunavut and federal Department of Defence signed a funding agreement for more than $11 million to support design and other work at the Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Resolute Bay airports.
Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut minister George Hickes made the announcement in the legislative assembly on June 3.
The agreement was signed in March, Hickes said.
“Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay have been designated as Northern operational support nodes, which are secondary support facilities that enable the Canadian Armed Forces to protect and sustain forces into more remote Arctic areas. Resolute Bay has been identified as a Northern operational support hub,” Hickes said.
Resolute Bay will serve as a critical asset intended to provide logistical support for military operations in the Arctic, Hickes explained.
The federal government announced on March 12 it would invest $32 billion to build forward operating bases in Iqaluit, Yellowknife and Inuvik, as well as Northern operational support nodes in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet, and Northern operational support hubs in Resolute Bay and Whitehorse.
Design work on airports in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay is part preparing those communities to serve as hubs.
Resolute Bay’s airport already has its design and planning work completed, Hickes explained.
“The Government of Nunavut will continue to engage with Government of Canada to ensure that the development of this ambitious facility provides meaningful benefits for the people of Resolute Bay,” Hickes said.
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