Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about Arctic security again today and, specifically, around the Arctic security council. Certainly the leadership in my community are very live to the issue of Arctic security given that we have infrastructure there, the forward operating location as well as the NORAD office in Inuvik.
Mr. Speaker, the federal department of defence announcement on March 10th identified Inuvik and Yellowknife as military hubs which will share in a $2.6 billion investment with Iqaluit. Given the recent article on Cabin Radio, Mr. Speaker, there may be some ambiguity around how those funds are going to roll out but certainly now is the time, you know, for us as a government to ensure that, you know, we are working with the ND and to ensure that we are prepared for the investment and how it can benefit our communities, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, there are things happening. Canadian Institute of Arctic Security, which is the Yukon, the Yukon's Arctic council, are having a Conference Zero -- they're calling it -- on March 27th in 2025 to discuss Arctic security. I'm sure, Mr. Speaker, that the Premier's aware of this and likely may have even gotten an invite to attend.
The town of Inuvik, Mr. Speaker, is hosting the Arctic Development Expo on the 17th to the 19th of June, 2025, where the theme is Preparing for Our Future in a Changing Arctic where, again, Mr. Speaker, there will be three days of discussion around Arctic security and development.
The leadership in my community has been made aware that the department of defence, the Joint Task Force North, will be meeting with Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon in Whitehorse in late May of 2025 to, again, discuss shared DND infrastructure projects. The Premier's office, I assume, will have a delegation that will be part of this discussion, Mr. Speaker, and I would suggest that the Premier include the mayors of Inuvik and Yellowknife as part of this delegation to take part in these important conversations.
Mr. Speaker, Inuvik just hosted the very successful and biggest operation of Nanook since began in 2007. There were several NATO countries involved as well as the Canadian Rangers from across the country. In total, there were 700 military personnel on the ground and in the air for the event. There was also media in Inuvik from across the country. The town of Inuvik, the Gwich'in, and the Inuvialuit were all fully engaged and involved supplying DND with meeting facilities, accommodations, and operation space. This was a huge economic boost to the area. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, it's important that the Premier and this government are fully engaged, and now is the time to create an NWT Arctic security council that includes the Premier, applicable Cabinet Members, mayors from Inuvik and Yellowknife, and Indigenous leadership representatives, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.
