Cambridge Bay (Mar 13/06) - When Stephen Harper was sworn in as Canada's 22nd prime minister, his promise to beef up Canada's military in the North suddenly became more a question of when rather than if.

Cambridge Bay Mayor Michelle Gillis, 26, said her community would welcome a Canadian Armed Forces training facility proposed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to help bolster the nation's sovereignty in the North. - John Curran/NNSL photo

Part of that promise includes building a training base in Cambridge Bay and that suits Mayor Michelle Gillis just fine.

"I think, in general, people here are in support of it," she said. "The DEW line has always been quite active and we'd like to see the forces expand its presence."

This Victoria Island community of about 1,800 has grown into the hub of the Kitikmeot, serving as a key transportation centre for residents and operators of remote mineral exploration camp. But infrastructure has been at times slow to keep pace with the community's growth.

"Transportation has finally allocated funds to get our runway paved, which will make a big difference for the traffic we can handle at our airport," she said.

If a military boom does hit the hamlet, she hopes that would bring faster responses to residents' needs.

"We're hoping maybe we could get a vocational school for Cambridge Bay," she said.

For now, the whole idea of what might be involved in a military training centre is "vague" at best, she said.

"We're still waiting to find out more details - our MLA Keith Peterson has written to Ottawa requesting more information," she said. "I'm in support of anything that would help Cambridge Bay."

As strong a supporter as she is, the plan actually has at least one man trumpeting even louder.

"General Rick Hillier (Canada's Chief of Defence) is actually my cousin," said Cambridge Bay resident Paul Chaulk. "So I've always been a big supporter of the military and hope it happens."

There's a good chance the project would mean new construction off the proposed training base, he said.

"There could be some kind of recreation facility," said Chaulk. "The military always takes good care of its people."

Around the hamlet, others are hopeful new warehouse space, which is desperately needed here, would also get built if the training base moves forward.