Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to speak today about a large military operation happening in Inuvik in the Beaufort Delta. Of course, Mr. Speaker, I'm talking about Operation Nanook. From February 4th until March 20th, upwards of about 750 military personnel, including a large reserve contingent from Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick, as well as allies from the USA and Belgium, Mr. Speaker, and they're going to have air and ground exercises involving several other countries.
Mr. Speaker, this is a huge, obviously, economic benefit to the community of Inuvik, and the town of Inuvik alone, in just leasing of their space, upwards of $140,000, not to mention the equipment rentals, warehouse rentals, the impacts on our local stores, our craft shops, and so on and so forth, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as well, a large contingent of senior federal officials to see the operation later in February will be coming up to Inuvik and to kind of better understand the role of Inuvik and the NWT in securing the Arctic. A large media contingent during the operation to report the events will include W5, CBC, and many others.
This event, Mr. Speaker, showcases how NATO and NORAD countries are working together in the Canadian Western Arctic that demonstrates the Canadian Armed Forces capability to protect and sustain forces in the High Arctic under the harshest conditions and test new capabilities with our allies.
Mr. Speaker, I was discouraged to hear the leader of the opposition publicly announce that they're going to be looking at building a new Arctic military base in Iqaluit. Not to disparage our friends in Nunavut but, Mr. Speaker, Inuvik has an FOL base with an airstrip that has been extended, as we know, to accept the latest USA fighter jets, and the strip will be continue to be upgraded and fully tarred up there, Mr. Speaker.
Inuvik, as you know, is already a NORAD base with the existing capacity to immediately house 250 military personnel, and it can readily accept the need for an expanded military base and supporting infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I'll be urging the Premier to reach out to whoever the next Prime Minister will be to certainly let them know that we expect the government to commit to not only fully funding the Mackenzie Valley Highway up to Tsiigehtchic to join into the Dempster Highway but certainly to make sure they do their homework and to realize that the practical reality is that Inuvik is best suited for this type of infrastructure, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
