Air transportation is a critical service in the Northwest Territories. In many N.W.T. communities, airport support is the only real mode of transportation for residents and for bringing community re-supplies. Having a runway of the appropriate length provides the opportunity for air carriers to use the most appropriate type of aircraft to serve the N.W.T. communities.
Recognizing the importance of continuing to look at means to improve air services and to ensure continued compliance with Government of Canada aviation regulations, I am pleased to advise Members that the Department of Transportation recently completed the N.W.T. Airport Runways Optimal Lengths and Issues Study.
Work on the study was supported by consultations with communities, air carriers, the Northern Air Transportation Association, Transport Canada and the N.W.T. business community. I thank all these parties for making a valuable contribution to this study.
This timely study considered a number of complex factors to determine whether runway extensions could significantly improve specific community airports in our system.
Air services in the North are very expensive. Runway extensions can, in some cases, result in the use of more efficient aircraft types which in turn will assist in lowering the transportation costs. The N.W.T. Airport Runways Optimal Lengths and Issues Study helps us prioritize the pressing need to extend runways at selected N.W.T. airports.
The department is currently assessing the study’s recommendations and will consider how to implement priority airport extensions in consultation with the Northern Air Transportation Association, N.W.T. air carriers and Members of this House.
Completion of this study is just one of many ongoing initiatives carried out regularly by the Department of Transportation to ensure that the N.W.T. transportation system continues to evolve to support safe, reliable and effective services for all N.W.T. residents.
Mahsi cho.
Before we proceed, colleagues, I’d like to draw your attention in the gallery to the presence of a former Member of the House, of the 14th and 15th Assemblies. The former Member for Great Slave, Mr. Bill Braden, is in the House.
Applause.
I understand Bill is leaving tomorrow on his new endeavours, and we wish him well in that.
