Province to Transfer Ownership of Grace Lake Airport to Mathias Colomb Cree Nation

Press Release

April 26, 2019

Supporting Indigenous-led Ventures, Bringing Economic Benefits to Indigenous Communities: Pallister

THE PAS—The Manitoba government is entering into an agreement with Beaver Air Services Limited Partnership, Missinippi Management Ltd., and Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (MCCN) on the sale of the Grace Lake Airport including 373 acres of Crown land, Premier Brian Pallister announced here today.

“The transfer of the Grace Lake airport to a community-based company, owned and operated by a First Nations entity, means the real benefits of this agreement will stay in the community for a long time,” Pallister said.  “We believe very strongly in Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and its companies, in their ability to continue to bring real economic benefits to the people of their community.”

Pallister noted the sale will support the continued use of the land as an airport under Indigenous and community-based ownership.

“We thank the Manitoba government for the opportunity to ensure the ownership of the Grace Lake Airport remains in the community,” Chief Lorna Bighetty, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, said.  “We look forward to continuing to work with the government and our partners to keep the economic benefits of this agreement right here at home.”

Terms of the agreement include a fair market sale price at the appraised value, a requirement that Mathias Colomb Cree Nation secure an airport operating certificate from Transport Canada, and that the airport be made available for public service delivery including but not limited to medevac and air ambulance service.

The Manitoba government will continue to support the establishment of Indigenous-led partnerships and ventures that will increase Indigenous participation and economic benefits to Indigenous communities, and to Manitoba’s economy as whole, the premier added.

The Grace Lake Airport in The Pas has been owned and operated by Manitoba Infrastructure.  Manitoba Sustainable Development administers and controls the Crown land the airport is situated on under The Crowns Land Act.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications Services Manitoba: 204-945-3765.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-945-4916.

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