Ryan Leef promises airport upgrades in Dawson City, Yukon

Yukon Conservative candidate Ryan Leef is promising major upgrades to the Dawson City airport, if Stephen Harper's government is re-elected.

Leef announced Tuesdaythat his party would spend up to $30 million on improvements, including a paved runway or possibly a new location.

"There are countless benefits to this project," Leefsaid at a campaign event in Whitehorse. "Increased capacity for tourism, better service to the mining sector, more capacity for cargo service."

Leef says the runway could be paved for about $8 million, meaning there could also be money leftover to pave the runway in Old Crow.But if a decision is made to move Dawson City'sairport to a new location, the cost would be considerably more than $8 million.

One of the proponents of the upgrades, Air North, says it welcomes the Conservative promise(the other proponent isthe Chief Isaac Development Corporation,anarm of theTr'ondkHwch'inFirst Nation). The airline has saidits regional routes are challenged by inadequate and outdated infrastructure.

Air North president Joe Sparlingalso saida paved runway in Dawson City could make the community an even bigger tourist attraction.

"We kind of regard Dawson [as]being a bit of gem with respect to the Yukon tourist industry," Sparling said.

"I think paving the runway is going to do nothing but increase the opportunities to further develop that."

Sparlingsaid a paved runway would also add to the profitability of somenew aircraftAir North is buying. TwoATR42 twin turboprop planes will soonreplace the company's existing aircraft on the Dawson City toInuvik, N.W.T, route.