[English translation not provided].
Mr. Speaker, because of the long distances between our communities in the NWT, air travel has become an essential service for our residents. Most community airports across the NWT are equipped with basic infrastructure, such as adequate runways, navigational aids and runway lighting. This ensures that communities can be safely accessed by air 24 hours a day.
Unfortunately, that is not the case for two communities in my riding. The airports in the communities of Jean Marie River and Nahanni Butte do not have runway lights. The lack of runway lights makes it very difficult for essential services such as medevacs to travel to the communities at night. I just want to mention that June and July aren't issues; it's the winter months.
This is a serious disadvantage and compromises the health and public safety of these communities. The Minister of Transportation has stated that public safety is the number one priority for his department and for the government. I urge the Minister to extend his commitment to public safety to the communities of Jean Marie and Nahanni Butte to ensure that runway lights are installed at these airports.
Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.
