Released on August 31, 2022
Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and Jim Lemaigre, MLA for Athabasca, on behalf of the Honourable Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan's Minister of Highways, announced $2.9 million in joint funding for upgrades to six northern airports.
The airports in La Loche, Île-à-la-Crosse, Sandy Bay, Cumberland House, and Pinehouse Lake will benefit from $1.25 million in combined federal and provincial funding to install All Weather Observation Systems (AWOS). The AWOS provides accurate, uninterrupted, real-time information and reports on airport weather conditions.
"The projects announced today are vital to ensuring safe, secure and efficient travel for visitors and residents of Northern Saskatchewan. These investments, made possible through collaboration with the Government of Saskatchewan, will foster community growth for years to come," Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc said.
"Saskatchewan's northern airports connect communities to vital public services like air ambulance, law enforcement and fire suppression. These investments will ensure northern airports can provide safe, timely and reliable service," Jim Lemaigre, Saskatchewan MLA for Athabasca, said on behalf of Saskatchewan's Minister of Highways Jeremy Cockrill.
In addition, the airports in La Loche, Île-à-la-Crosse, and Pinehouse Lake and Patuanak will see upgrades to airfield lighting that will improve safety and reliability. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are each investing $825,000 in these projects for a combined $1.65 million investment.
"People across northern Saskatchewan rely on community airports to connect them to friends, family, and medical services. These improvements will help to keep those connections strong," Pinehouse Mayor Mike Natomagan said.
The Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan are each investing $1.45 million dollars into these projects.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada's investment comes from the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
- Including today's announcement, 262 infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan have been announced in Saskatchewan with a total federal contribution of more than $448.9 million and a total provincial contribution of over $298.7 million.
- Infrastructure Canada helps address complex challenges that Canadians face every day ranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to climate change, and environmental threats to our water and land.
- Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government 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.
Associated links
Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
For more information, please contact:
Steve Shaheen
Ministry of Highways
Phone:306-260-9159
Email: Steve.shaheen@gov.sk.ca
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
Toll free: 613-960-9251
Email: media@infc.gc.ca