Debates of March 31, 2004 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I would like to call the Assembly’s attention to the important work that CARS observer-communicators do to maintain safe and reliable air transportation at our community airports.

The community aerodrome radio station program, better known as CARS, provides essential weather and runway information to the aircraft and pilots serving our small communities. In recognition of the contribution that the observer-communicators make to safe air navigation in and out of our community airports, the Department of Transportation presents awards every year for the CARS station of the year and the observer-communicator of the year. A few weeks ago, the department announced the awards for 2003.

The award for the CARS station of the year went to the staff at the Fort Simpson airport. The Fort Simpson CARS service operates 24 hours a day assisting the air traffic at the Fort Simpson Island Airport and the Fort Simpson Territorial Airport. After Fort Smith and Hay River, the Fort Simpson airport is the third busiest CARS site in the Northwest Territories. The 2003 Station of the Year Award went to Josh Chappin, April Bell, Tim Brown, Jermaine Gargan and Jay Koldhis of Fort Simpson.

The Observer-Communicator Award for 2003 went to Nancy Zoe. Nancy was the only trained observer-communicator in Gameti for much of 2003 and through her diligent efforts kept the CARS site operating. Nancy’s commendable dedication to the CARS service at Gameti deserves recognition.

Mr. Speaker, were it not for the commitment and effort of the CARS observers-communicators, our communities would not have the dependable scheduled air services that they make possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

----Applause