Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Edmonton City Centre Airport is still facing closure, which will impact our medevac flights here from the North, but there is a viable alternative on the horizon. A well-known Edmonton city airport known as the Muni is facing closure, but the Province of Alberta has been working closely with the federal government to come up with a solution of using the old Edmonton Garrison airstrip, which is seven kilometres north of the city of Edmonton. The National Defence runway is located on a good transportation route, which connects to the Anthony Henday road, which rings it right into the centre of Edmonton.
Early indications say that this Garrison airstrip may be a cheaper, more practical solution for air carriers that are flying to Edmonton on medevac flights. Clearly, the option of flying into the Edmonton Garrison clearly warrants more investigation. At the same time, I’d like to hear our government taking a lead role in supporting this initiative.
The Edmonton Garrison may not be as close as the Muni Airport, but darn near close is considered a viable option. Yellowknife has had a close relationship with Edmonton over the years when it comes to our medevacs. Last year Mayor Mandel came to the North on an invitation I had given him. I’ve spoken to Envision Edmonton, as well as many others. A lot of people want viable solutions for an airport there that provides good access. Hundreds of patients come from the North; they travel to that city every year, many with life-threatening conditions. The fact is every minute counts. So, safe, fast and effective medevac flights are critical when it comes to health care services.
May I remind the Minister of Health that medevacs are only one part of the continuum of health when it comes to this solution. We must look at the whole process as one problem and break it down to elements to see where we can help on all fronts of our medevac process.
Later today I will be urging the Health Minister to stay on top of this particular situation. I need to see that he is taking an active role and dialogue with the Province of Alberta, working to hopefully get the solution of the Edmonton Garrison once and for all to make sure that all Northerners who have to fly south on medevacs have a safe and reliable airport to land in, and clear access to good medical services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
