Yes, I think there is a role for the federal government. I became responsible for the Kluane Lake Research Station 10 years ago, and at that time the funding that used to exist through the NSERC program for operation and maintenance of research infrastructures went away. Facilities that are not operated by federal, provincial or territorial organizations have a very difficult time acquiring resources to support maintenance, daily operations and upgrading of equipment. CFI is one pathway, but in the community of those of us who have these responsibilities, we have discussed the need for some kind of a national program to support the research infrastructures the network as a whole could look to in order to maintain that.
I see no other place for that other than coming from the federal government. The universities are challenged, as everybody knows, to maintain facilities that are often quite far removed. The northern organizations are also fiscally challenged. I think in the context of a national plan for research, there has to be that section that talks about roles and responsibilities and the cost benefit of supporting new and existing structures. I'm not sure if that entirely answers your question, but I don't see how it can be done without federal support and engagement.