The Minister of Transport, the Honorable Omar Alghabra, announced that the Government of Canada is making important safety investments at local and regional airports in Manitoba.
Through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program, 15 airports in Manitoba will receive over $5.1 million from the Government of Canada for projects and equipment that will help maintain safe airport operations for passengers, crews, and airport workers. The airports receiving funding are:
Berens River – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Bloodvein River – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000; to install wildlife control fencing – $940,655
Flin Flon – to purchase runway friction tester – $6,420; to purchase a grader – $438,000; to replace runway approach lighting – $90,329
Gods Lake Narrows – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000; to purchase a loader mounted snow blower – $210,000
Norway House – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Oxford House – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Pukatawagan – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Red Sucker Lake – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
South Indian Lake – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
St. Andrews – to purchase a sweeper – $395,200
St. Theresa Point – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Tadoule Lake – to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000; to install wildlife control fencing – $1,029,573
The Pas/Grace Lake – to purchase a loader mounted snow blower – $234,000
Thompson – to purchase a snowplow – $358,960
York Landing – to install wildlife control fencing – $926,610
The equipment will be used in maintaining aircraft movement surfaces and the removal and control of ice and snow from airside surfaces such as runways, taxiways and the apron. For airports with a gravel runway, a compactor is used to compress the gravel on the runway, creating a stable surface for safe landing and takeoff operations. The wildlife fencing will keep large mammals away from secure airfield areas.
This funding is in addition to the more than $20.8 million provided under the Program in 2021 to support safety-related projects at the Flin Flon, Gods Lake Narrows, Lac Brochet, Red Sucker Lake, Shamattawa, and Thompson airports.
“Airports play a crucial role in keeping Canadians connected across our vast country, and the last two years have only underscored this,” said Minister Alghabra. “Today’s investment of over $5.1 million for 15 airports across Manitoba is great news for the region’s air sector and for the communities these airports serve. Investments like these will ensure that our air sector comes out strong as we enter post-pandemic recovery, and help us keep our commitment to building safer, stronger communities.”
