Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I'd like to address a significant economic opportunity that's unfolding on MERX, the Department of National Defence's $10 billion NORAD northern-basing infrastructure investments in Inuvik and the Yellowknife airports.
This represents a chance for the Northwest Territories to maximize returns on this unprecedented federal commitment. While defense sovereignty is the primary objective, our Arctic airports division is uniquely positioned to capitalize and capture revenues from these developments.
Revenue opportunities, Mr. Speaker, landing terminal fees, increased military activity, aircraft, and training exercise will generate consistent revenues. Facility leases, new hangars, fuel facilities, warehousing, and support buildings present opportunities for lease arrangements and shared use agreements that generate ongoing revenues. Fuel services, the fuel infrastructure being developed can support operational revenues through fuel services and dispensing. Auxiliary services, ground handling, equipment rentals, maintenance facilities, access, and communications infrastructure, long-term benefits, multi-year revenues, IT capabilities, and logistics systems, positioning our Arctic airports for future commercial opportunities, possibility of self-financing a new terminal in our capital city.
Moving forward, Mr. Speaker, as the procurement advances through 2026, we must:
- Engage proactively with the DND department to identify all revenue opportunities, insist in designing the final procurement;
- Update the YZF business case, analyze to optimize Arctic airports division;
- Align these opportunities with Indigenous governments and the Indigenous benefits plan as required under the APN.
Later, I will have questions to the appropriate Minister. Mahsi cho.