Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, November 9, 2011 – Significant investments announced today for Rankin Inlet Airport will ensure the critical transportation gateway continues to serve the Kivalliq region of Nunavut and the 55,000 passengers who rely on its services annually.
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, was joined by the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Services, to announce $27 million toward improvements and upgrades to the Rankin Inlet Airport.
"These significant airport investments will improve safety and convenience for air travelers in the region, and also have the added benefit of creating jobs and stimulating the economy," said Minister Aglukkaq. "I am pleased that the Building Canada plan is supporting such worthwhile initiatives here in Rankin Inlet."
The initiatives include upgrades to the airport runway, installation of electrical systems and a new taxiway, as well as expanded restrooms and a new public waiting room. These improvements will not only enhance safety at the airport but also increase its capacity to meet the rapidly growing demand of the mining industry in Rankin Inlet and the surrounding area.
"In the Kivalliq, mining is the fastest growing economic sector and upgrades to the Rankin Inlet Airport will ensure this continues by making air travel to, from, and within the region more accessible," said Nunavut Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Peter Taptuna. "The Nunavut Transportation Strategy calls for the expansion of Nunavut's hub airports, and this funding will do just that."
"With tens of thousands of people passing through this airport annually, it is important to provide the safest airport possible," said Minister Kusugak. "The fact that this upgrade will increase the opportunity for employment and education opportunities in mining is a bonus."
The airport improvements were identified in Nunavut's 2011-12 to 2013-14 Capital Plan under the federal government's Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. Under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding agreement of the Building Canada plan, Nunavut will receive funding from the Government of Canada for its core infrastructure priorities such as water, wastewater, safe roads, as well as regional and local airports.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada's projects in Nunavut, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information contact:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Elissa McKinnon
Communications Officer/Policy Analyst
Department of Community and Government Services, Government of Nunavut
867-975-5342
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
