YELLOWKNIFE (June 8, 2015) – A delegation from the Northwest Territories will travel to Europe from June 7-12, 2015 to promote the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link (MVFL) to potential international clients and customers. The delegation includes Premier Bob McLeod, Minister of Finance J. Michael Miltenberger, Minister Robert C. Mcleod, MLA Robert Hawkins, Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure and officials from the federal government and Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

“The MVFL will enable real-time communication between the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (ISSF) and southern Canada, making it an ideal location for supporting polar-orbiting satellite operations,” said Minister Miltenberger. “As the MVFL moves towards scheduled completion in mid-2016, the next step is to start securing agreements with international clients looking to take advantage of this new state-of-the-art communications link.”

“There are opportunities for the Northwest Territories in the global marketplace,” said Premier Bob McLeod. “Our government has been making it a point to reach out internationally and grow our economy by promoting the NWT’s competitive advantages, like its abundant natural resources, tourism potential and luxury goods. Promoting the MVFL and Inuvik’s potential as a centre for high-tech business is another way to bring international business to our territory.”

“Inuvik is one of the best places in the world for receiving data from satellites in polar orbit,” said Minister McLeod. “Investing in the MVFL will make the ISSF more attractive to the international aerospace and scientific communities, helping create a local high-tech industry that will create new jobs and opportunities for our people.”

“This incredible opportunity will bring investment and diversity to our growing territorial economy and position the NWT as a world partner and leader in communication technology,” said MLA Hawkins.

The delegation will travel to Norway, Sweden, Italy and Germany. Meetings are scheduled with:

• Kongsberg Satellite Services;
• University of Tromso;
• Centre for Integrated Remote Sensing and Forecasting for Arctic Operations;
• Swedish Space Corporation;
• European Space Agency;
• Italian Space Agency;
• Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation;
• Airbus Defence and Space; and
• German Aerospace Center.

Construction on the 1200 km MVFL began in January 2015 and over one-third of the cable was installed by April. Construction will continue through the summer and next winter, with the project on schedule to meet its planned in-service date of mid-2016.

The Inuvik Satellite Station Facility was inaugurated in 2010 and has three 14-metre receiving antennas currently in operation. Site preparation work for a fourth dish is currently underway and a fifth dish is being planned for spring/summer 2016. National and international interest in the ISSF has increased since construction on the MVFL began.

Media inquiries:

Roya Grinsted
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca