Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The community of Trout Lake is proud of their new airport, which was fully commissioned and went into service in November of 2014. There is limited equipment in the community to take care of the 3,500-foot runway and the much larger apron. I was pleased that the Honourable Tom Beaulieu and the honourable Premier of the NWT viewed the new airport as we toured the Nahendeh communities in December.
I was also pleased that it was blowing cold as we waited outside as there was no air terminal building.
---Laughter
The Department of Transportation had wanted an official opening ceremony when the Minister of Transportation was there. The chief and council declined and wanted to have an official opening when all official pieces of infrastructure are in place. In fact, they said if we have a grand opening, then the department will just forget about our need for an airport terminal building and an airport snow blower.
An airport snow blower will be more efficient in removing snow build-up and reduce damage to runway light holders. The main advantages of such a snow blower are high clearing capacity, long casting distance, economical operation and speed of clearing. Safety considerations must also be part of a needs assessment, such as quickly removing snow in a medevac type of emergency. This is something that they cannot do with the grader that is in the community.
An air terminal building also has many benefits. The Ministers already know that keeping out of the cold is one of them. Already residents are saying that because the airport is about two kilometres away, they don’t always hear a small plane land. Some people have been stranded there and others have struggled as they made their way to the community with their luggage and supplies. Not to mention the benefits to medical staff as they await a medevac plane.
The Trout Lake Airport is a brand new piece of infrastructure which we all should be proud of, and the Department of Transportation must properly equip this runway with a proper air terminal building and a proper airport snow blower.
Capital planning is upon us shortly. I will ask the Minister of Transportation, during question period, to ensure that the airport capital needs of Trout Lake are taken seriously. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.
