Government of Canada providing additional funding to support essential air services for remote communities in Manitoba

Press Release

From: Transport Canada

July 27, 2021               Ottawa              Transport Canada

The global COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for Northern and remote communities which depend on supply chains for the delivery of essential goods and services. As the pandemic evolves, the Government of Canada continues to work with partners, including provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous communities and the air industry, to address the unique needs of these communities.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, and the Minister of Northern Affairs, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, announced that the Government of Canada is providing an additional $8.82 million to the Government of Manitoba to continue the support of essential air services for remote communities in Manitoba.

The funding announced today is in addition to the $12.03 million provided to the Government of Manitoba in 2020, to maintain essential air services to remote communities.

The Governments of Canada and Manitoba will continue to collaborate to ensure essential transportation and supply chains for Northern and remote communities are protected for the health, safety and well-being of all Canadians.

Quotes

“Our government understands the importance of reliable air services in sustaining the social and economic well-being of our Northern and remote communities. This investment will ensure that, as we work towards recovery and travel restart post pandemic, people living and working in remote Manitoba communities will continue to have access to air services for delivery of essential goods and services and for essential travel between communities in Manitoba. We are pleased to be working with our territorial and Indigenous partners and the air industry to support communities as we start to build back better.”

The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport

“Our government recognizes the vital importance of transportation links in maintaining and strengthening supply chains across the North. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put pressure on the transportation sector in the North and Arctic, this investment will ensure communities in Manitoba remain connected and supported with access to essential goods and health services when they need it the most.”

The Honourable Daniel Vandal
Minister of Northern Affairs

Quick facts

• Under the funding agreements for the Remote Air Services Program, a fixed amount of funding is allocated to each province or territory that has remote communities. Provinces and territories are responsible for allocating the funding to specific air carriers.
• Remote communities are those that rely on air service as the only practical year-round mode of transportation.
• There are 21 communities with airports or aerodromes in Manitoba which are considered remote.
• Some communities may have limited access to seasonal ice roads or long and unreliable gravel roads.

Associated links

• Government of Canada announces new measures to support essential air access to remote communities
• Government of Canada announces agreement with Government of Manitoba to support essential air access to remote communities

Contacts

Allison St-Jean
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
Allison.St-Jean@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca

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