$9.2 million in federal funding was announced today for Department of Defence upgrades in North Bay by Nipissing-Temiskaming MP Jay Aspin. The announcement was made this morning at the Algonquin Regiment facility.
“It’s an important commitment, it is going to enable us to maintain military assets to a level of usability that is conducive to our support for the military,” said Hon. Julian Fantino, Associate Minister for Defence, who was at the announcement. “It will create economic benefit for the city, as a lot of the work will be done by local people.”
At the North Bay Troy Armoury, the federal government will invest more than $6.3 million for extensive interior and exterior renovations, roofing repairs, improved washroom facilities and repairs of emergency lighting systems. At 22 Wing North Bay, $2.9 million will be invested to repair the fire-detection system to the Underground Complex, remove the former fire-suppression system, repair the roof and emergency lighting system, and replace the heating boiler.
Although it is unclear at this moment what the Underground Complex is being used for, Fantino said it was an important strategic location for the military. Fantino is taking a tour at the facility Tuesday morning.
“We feel that North Bay is an important point of contact for the security of North America,” Fantino said. “The funding is going toward different things across the province, but the money is all going toward infrastructure, to the things that wear down and wear out, maintaining a solid base for our men and women to work from.”
The funding is part of $452 million promised by the Harper government for investment in the Canadian Armed Forces, seeking to invest in critical infrastructure. The funding is expected to go toward airplanes, landing strips, and military housing, among other projects. According to Aspin, the improvements in North Bay will begin as soon as possible.
“This is a significant investment…for me it’s a signal that North Bay continues to play a vital role in Canada’s military system. We want to maintain our role and in the future we want to have an enhanced role,” Aspin said. “Military operations in North Bay constitute an important part of our regional economy and Canada’s security. We want to ensure our facilities in North Bay are state-of-the-art and we continue to be a critical part of Canada’s military structure for the long run to keep our nation secure. These investments will maintain North Bay’s important position in Canada’s system.”
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