Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I questioned the Minister responsible for Infrastructure on rumors that a Russianregistered aircraft landed at the Yellowknife Airport. Since then, I've had people reach out to me, not only from the NWT but from across around Canada as well, some of whom were just looking for additional information, clarification, while others provided suggestions on what should be done with the aircraft and occupants, most of which I will not repeat here.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister clarify, in fact, whether or not the aircraft was Russianregistered and where did the flight originate from? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise our understanding is that the plane is registered to a company in Austria. The flight originated in Geneva, Switzerland. Until the Canadian Border Service met the plane here in Yellowknife and determined that the passengers were Russian nationals, there were no flags raised. Quyananni.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that confirmation. And with the nationality of the passengers being Russian, I guess what's the current status of both the passengers and the aircraft at this time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Canada continues to gather the facts required to be able to make a determination on the next steps regarding these passengers. So Canada will also continue to hold the plane while the investigation is ongoing. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the passengers were looking at going on expedition and given that, I just ask if the Minister's department was contacted by either the group or by any federal government agencies confirming that the plane had Russian nationals on it? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was no knowledge of the expedition or contact with the Department of Infrastructure prior to the plane landing on Tuesday. I was disappointed with the lack of engagement, and I'm hopeful that they at least reached out to the Yellowknife First Nation or the Tlicho when accessing their traditional territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with what is taking place in the Ukraine, we need to talk about sovereignty protections and monitoring northern Canada. I also find it very disappointing that the federal government is not providing timely information that involves Russian nationals.
Can the Minister advise how her department will rectify this communication failure with the federal government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So once we opened the borders to tourists on March the 1st, our ability to be able to restrict access to the Northwest Territories has ended. It is now up to Canada to be able to determine whether the Russian nationals are allowed to stay in Canada. That's I can't say anything further as it is really out of our hands, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.
