Released on August 6, 2020
The Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected communities across the province. Both governments are making strategic investments in infrastructure to meet the specific needs of Saskatchewan communities to help strengthen local economies.
Today, Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, Saskatchewan Government Relations Minister Lori Carr and City of Moose Jaw Mayor Fraser Tolmie announced funding for important improvements to the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport which will benefit the local economy and increase safety.
The rehabilitation and expansion of the existing runway and taxiway will help accommodate larger planes, including business class, turbo props and light jets. The construction of a new apron space will increase the parking area and allow for heavier aircrafts to be parked. A new hangar access road will reduce the use of taxiways by vehicle traffic. Improvements also include the installation of additional runway, taxiway and approach lights.
The Government of Canada is investing $1.2 million in this project through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan while the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing $999,900. The City of Moose Jaw is contributing $500,100 and is responsible for any additional costs.
“Canada’s experience under COVID-19 has demonstrated how interdependent Canadians are, as well as our need to stay connected,” said Monsef. “Connecting Canadians through regional transportation hubs, like the Moose Jaw Airport, brings jobs to rural communities in the region, and will support Canada’s economic recovery. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has supported five major broadband projects in Saskatchewan, impacting more than 56,000 households and 54 institutions, including schools, libraries, municipal offices and health centres. More than 1,000 km of fibre has been deployed across the province to help connect homes and businesses. This is in addition to 230 projects across the province to improve roads, bridges, drinking water, waste water, and build community recreation projects. By investing in projects such as this, we are helping communities across Saskatchewan strengthen their economies and build more resilient infrastructure.”
“The Government of Saskatchewan’s investment of more than $900,000 toward this Moose Jaw area infrastructure project will ensure it becomes a reality,” Carr said. “Work from this local initiative, along with job creation from other projects under our government’s $7.5 billion, two-year provincial capital plan will also kick-start economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic – investments that will strengthen local infrastructure and build a stronger Saskatchewan.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to growing our city and reinforces our confidence that Moose Jaw is moving forward,” Tolmie said. “We thank the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan for recognizing the value of this project and making significant investments. These improvements to the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport will benefit our local economy, and we thank the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority and local business community for their hard work, support and commitment to the municipal airport.”
“The Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority team is very excited to see this runway expansion and rehabilitation of the airside facilities project begin to come to fruition,” Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority Chair Greg Simpson said. “When construction is finished, these upgrades will improve safety and benefit current airport users in the health and agricultural sectors, along with potential new business that rely on general aviation. This will improve access to critical health care services and help support economic development in our community, thanks to improved transportation infrastructure. We are grateful for both the confidence demonstrated and the financial support provided.”
Quick facts:
- Through the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity.
- Across Saskatchewan, the Government of Canada has invested more than $715 million under the Investing in Canada plan toward 368 infrastructure projects.
- The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short-term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.
Associated links:
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
- Investing in Canada Plan Project Map: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html
- Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/sk-eng.html
- Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
- Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural/strat-eng.html
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For more information, contact:
Marie-Pier Baril
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
Ottawa
Phone: 613-295-8123
Email: Marie-Pier.Baril@cfc-swc.gc.ca
Dan Palmer
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7151
Email: Dan.Palmer@gov.sk.ca
Craig Hemingway
City of Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-4406
Email: CHemingway@MooseJaw.ca
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 613-960-9251
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca