Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Infrastructure Department is in the process of conducting the Yellowknife Airport Hotel Study as part of developing the airport's 20-year master plan. Unfortunately, it seems to have mishandled communications around this project, and Yellowknife's private hotel industry representatives are very concerned.
Mr. Speaker, responding to the growth in tourism and the overall growth of the city, the hotel industry is in the middle of a $50 million investment in growing its capacity in Yellowknife. Just between the Explorer Hotel and the recently completed Nova Hotel, there will be a 31 percent increase in room capacity over three years. That is an additional 50,000 room nights.
For the government, in this climate, to decide to consider the feasibility of a hotel located at the airport seems ill-advised at best, and at worst, hostile to the good, corporate citizens in our hotel industry. It has the appearance of the government competing against the private sector at a time when the private sector is making major investments in responding to demand.
Mr. Speaker, it is also a time when the capital city is focusing hard on revitalizing the downtown core. Any new infrastructure supported, studied, or even considered by the GNWT should surely be done with extensive consultation with the city in recognition of their long-term plans.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister has tried to assure concerned industry people that the GNWT has no intention of competing with the private sector, nor to build a business case for an airport hotel, but I also know that, while the industry reps have been promised consultation, they were not contacted in advance of this undertaking.
Mr. Speaker, in recent years, Edmonton has built a hotel at the airport. Downtown Edmonton is a 45-minute highway drive, and that is if the traffic is good from the airport. In Yellowknife, downtown is five minutes away.
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure why the department considered that investing taxpayers' dollars in this study was a good idea. Long-term planning and knowledge is always good, but it is equally important to recognize the importance of the City's future plans for revitalization, plus we must respect our good private sector partners and the investments that they are making in our communities, infrastructure, and our economy.
At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.