Strong and reliable transportation infrastructure is essential to keeping Northern, Arctic, and Indigenous communities connected. That's why the first investment through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) will be for the Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport, which serves as a lifeline for the local economy, ensures access to essential goods and services, and strengthens Canada's presence in the North.
Today, the Honourable Minister Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, joined by the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced further investments for the modernization of the Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport.
To this end, the Government of Canada will provide up to $49.5 million through the AIF to upgrade the existing runway and access road at the Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport, in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories. The pressures facing families in the North are urgent. This is why the Government of Canada is working quickly with partners to ensure critical infrastructure projects move ahead rapidly to benefit communities, lower costs for families, and build up Canada's economy.
This funding builds on the $230 million investment from the Department of National Defence to extend and modernize the airport's runway, reaffirmed by Prime Minister Carney earlier this year. Together, these investments will strengthen a critical piece of dual-use infrastructure, lower transportation costs for Northern communities, create opportunities for Indigenous and Northern businesses, help build Canada's workforce, and enhance Canada's operational readiness in the Arctic.
These upgrades will improve safety, reliability, and operational capacity by creating a consistent paved runway surface and replacing the airport access road with asphalt to support heavier traffic and growing cargo volumes. Together, these upgrades will transform Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport into an even stronger logistics and transportation hub, driving economic growth and prosperity, enhancing long-term competitiveness, improving supply chain reliability, and ensure communities across the North remain connected year-round.
Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport is a key regional hub in Canada's Western Arctic, supporting passenger travel, cargo movement, emergency response, and community resupply for communities across the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and beyond. It also serves as a designated Forward Operating Location for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
By investing in modern, resilient infrastructure, including the recently announced funding to improve aviation infrastructure in the Sahtu Region, the Government of Canada is helping to ensure northern airports continue to meet the needs of Northern communities while advancing Canada's broader trade, defence and security objectives in the Arctic. That is how we build stronger communities and a stronger, more secure Canada.
