Town of Inuvik Mayor Clarence Wood is asking the federal government to move the Canadian International Arctic Centre (CAIC) to Inuvik.
A letter he sent to Foreign Affairs Minister M茅lanie Joly has already received support from deputy premier Diane Archie and Northwest Territories MP Michael McLeod and heSA国际影视传媒檚 hoping to draw more attention to the effort.
SA国际影视传媒淎n Arctic centre needs to be based in the Arctic,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have road access. We also have a fibre link, which is one of the reasons the satellite receiving station is here. You can transmit data instantaneously to southern Canada.
SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the major benefits would be Arctic sovereignty SA国际影视传媒� to establish us as a major government centre North of the Arctic circle.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 pretty hard to discuss Arctic matters with somebody who grew up in Ottawa. They have no idea where the Arctic even is in most cases.SA国际影视传媒�
After announcing Canada needed to step up its international presence, Joly announced the CAIC would be relocating from Oslo, Norway to Ottawa. Wood says he would prefer the international diplomatic centre remain where it is, but if the federal government insists on moving it to Canada he says it should remain in an Arctic location and Inuvik is the perfect place.
Aside from potential cooperation with the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility, the Aurora Research Institute, the numerous Universities in Canada and abroad which conduct research in the area, as well as both the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Tribal Council, Wood noted it would give the federal government a direct window into what is happening in the Arctic and the challenges facing people here.
He added InuvikSA国际影视传媒檚 strong multicultural demographics is also greatly representative of Canada as a whole.
Headquartering the CAIC in Inuvik would fit in well with other major federal investments in the region, including expanding the runway at Mike Zubko Airport to allow for larger aircraft and the recently announced Remote Sensing Research Centre to be constructed in the region. The proximity to a NORAD forward operating base would also provide real time intelligence to the federal government.
SA国际影视传媒淲e have Alaska on our doorstep, so we have good communication with the United States,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭o have people located here who can communicate directly with people that are in the Arctic is a real benefit and would offset some of the difficulties in moving from Oslo.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think it would enhance OttawaSA国际影视传媒檚 understanding of the Arctic. Inuvik is well on its way to being a major government centre as far as the federal government goes, in particular in National Defence, so I think a facility like this would only enhance our presence.SA国际影视传媒�
Having an international centre in Inuvik would also benefit the region, noted Wood. Assessing the needs of federal staff would bring additional services to the town, as well as draw more federal attention to the infrastructure needs of the region.
He noted the area already draws visitors from all over the world and is well known in international circles, so utilizing it for more international work is the next logical step.
SA国际影视传媒淭he more people we can have and the more government agencies we have here, the better for the residents,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t would spur new development in housing and possibly add to the workforce in the town. Whether theySA国际影视传媒檙e single or married or whatever, somebodySA国际影视传媒檚 going to be looking for work.
SA国际影视传媒淚 just hope Minister Joly takes the letter seriously and acts in our favour.SA国际影视传媒�
Wood said heSA国际影视传媒檚 gotten strong support from both deputy premier Diane Archie and NWT MP Michael McLeod.
SA国际影视传媒淲riting to add my support to the Town of Inuvik,SA国际影视传媒� wrote McLeod. SA国际影视传媒淭he Mayor has demonstrated in his letter the recent announcement of the CAIC pending relocation provides Canada with an incredible opportunity to tap into the incredible potential of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 North and to demonstrate to the world the value of our Arctic residents and community.SA国际影视传媒�
