Colville Lake, Northwest Territories, October 9, 2012 – A celebration was held in Colville Lake to mark the completion of a new airport terminal and runway, built by the Government of Northwest Territories Department of Transportation with support from the Government of Canada and the community.
The longer and wider runway enables larger planes to land, which helps to reduce the cost of goods and supplies delivered to the area. As well, the relocation of the runway will free up land for community development. Thirty-four Colville Lake residents were hired to complete the work.
"Like many Northern communities, Colville Lake depends on its airport for the delivery of essential goods and services,"
said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Regional Minister for the North, and Member of Parliament for Nunavut. "Thanks to this new terminal, the Sahtu region will benefit from safer, more efficient transportation year-round. Our Government is proud to have invested in this important initiative that created local jobs and will serve Colville Lake residents now and into the future."
"Economic opportunities accompany infrastructure development, and the new airport at Colville Lake is an excellent example of this principle,"
said GNWT Transportation Minister David Ramsay. "As the Sahtu region continues to prepare for the development of its natural resources, investments in transportation infrastructure will provide ongoing benefits. Our partnership with the Government of Canada to build this airport will pay dividends for the community, the region, the NWT, and all Canadians."
This $12.8-million initiative received financial support through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, which is part of the Building Canada plan. Through this program, the governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories work together to support infrastructure priorities across the Territory.
The Government of Canada has engaged provinces, territories, municipalities and key stakeholders in a series of roundtables to guide the development of a new long-term infrastructure plan that will support job creation, economic growth and prosperity. We have heard that we are on the right track: there is a need for strong, sustained investment and we must continue to work together moving forward. To improve infrastructure across Canada and ensure affordability and sustainability over the long term, our new plan will encourage greater use of public-private partnerships. This will help leverage new investments in infrastructure, while respecting the capacity of Canadian taxpayers.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
For information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Megan Holsapple
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier and Executive Council
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2302
Fax: 867-873-0111
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
