The federal government will spend nearly $35-billion to prepare the North for more extensive military operations aimed at defending against incoming threats to North America and asserting territorial sovereignty in the Arctic, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in Yellowknife Thursday.

The bulk of the money, $32-billion, will be used to upgrade military Forward Operating Locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Iqaluit as well as the Deployed Operating Base at 5 Wing Goose Bay. These provide hangars, fuel and accommodations to support fighter squadrons deployed in service of the Canada-U.S. North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).

Funds will pay for upgraded airfields, new or repurposed hangars, ammunition and fuel storage as well as upgraded accommodations, warehouses and information technology equipment.

Mr. Carney also announced four Northern infrastructure projects would be referred to Ottawa’s Major Projects Office, which streamlines regulatory approvals and financing for “nation-building” projects of national interest. These include the 800-kilometre Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Grays Bay Road and Port, the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, and Taltson Hydro Expansion Project.