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31 / 03 / 2009
QUÉBEC INVESTS $106 MILLION IN NUNAVIK AND NORTH SHORE AIRPORTS
Montréal, March 31, 2009 ― The Premier of Québec, Mr. Jean Charest, the Minister for Transport and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, Mr. Norman MacMillan, and the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions, Mr. Pierre Corbeil, in the presence of representatives of the Inuit nation, the President of the Makivik Corporation, Pita Aatami, and the Chair of the Kativik Regional Government, Maggie Emudluk, as well as representatives of the Cree Nation, Grand Chief Matthew Mukash and Deputy Grand Chief Ashley Iserhoff, today announced that the Gouvernement du Québec will allocate $106 million over the next five years to upgrade 15 airports located in Nunavik and on the North Shore.
In the wake of the 2009-2010 budget, this investment is part of the government’s vision to develop northern Québec while stimulating the regional economy. The Premier emphasized that this major project will have an impact on a generation of citizens inhabiting a territory twice the size of France. “We have a great vision for Québec’s future, a vision of developing new areas, including the area north of the 49th parallel. The Northern Plan will be a model for sustainability while serving as a major engine of development, which we will carry out in partnership with the First Nations, the Inuit and all the local communities. This vast territory has major potential, which requires modern and efficient infrastructures for its development,” Mr. Charest affirmed.
“This announcement represents a major step forward in the development of northern Québec. I am very enthusiastic that the funds allocated will have a positive impact on everyday life for the Innu, the Cree, the Inuit and all of the local communities. The resulting effects in everyday life will mean lower prices for many necessities, such as foodstuffs,” Minister Pierre Corbeil pointed out.
First four airports upgraded
As the starting point for this plan’s implementation, the government confirmed an aggregate commitment of $55 million over two years to upgrade the airport facilities at Puvirnituq and Salluit in Nunavik, and at Port-Menier and Saint-Augustin on the North Shore.
For the current fiscal year, $16 million will be allocated to Puvirnituq Airport to expand the traffic area, lengthen the runway, replace the lighting and install a peripheral fence. These funds include the participation of the Government of Canada. Port-Menier Airport will benefit from a $10 million investment this year to repair the runway surface.
In 2010-2011, the second phase of the work at Puvirnituq Airport will be carried out, representing a $15 million investment. Other work estimated at $3.6 million will also be implemented next year at Salluit Airport in Nunavik. This will also be the case at Saint-Augustin Airport on the Lower North Shore, where the government will invest $10 million to repair the runway surface.
The other work forecast in the plan will be discussed and planned with the local elected officers and all partners.
The Minister for Transport said he is very proud that the Gouvernement du Québec is giving the communities of Nord-du-Québec special attention by perfecting one of their main transportation networks. “The airports represent a vital link for these northern communities, both for their subsistence and for economic and social development. By equipping them with modern airport infrastructures, we are sending a clear signal of our commitment to help them establish prosperity in their region, both for their own benefit and for that of Québec as a whole,” Mr. MacMillan concluded.
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In the wake of the 2009-2010 budget, this investment is part of the government’s vision to develop northern Québec while stimulating the regional economy. The Premier emphasized that this major project will have an impact on a generation of citizens inhabiting a territory twice the size of France. “We have a great vision for Québec’s future, a vision of developing new areas, including the area north of the 49th parallel. The Northern Plan will be a model for sustainability while serving as a major engine of development, which we will carry out in partnership with the First Nations, the Inuit and all the local communities. This vast territory has major potential, which requires modern and efficient infrastructures for its development,” Mr. Charest affirmed.
“This announcement represents a major step forward in the development of northern Québec. I am very enthusiastic that the funds allocated will have a positive impact on everyday life for the Innu, the Cree, the Inuit and all of the local communities. The resulting effects in everyday life will mean lower prices for many necessities, such as foodstuffs,” Minister Pierre Corbeil pointed out.
First four airports upgraded
As the starting point for this plan’s implementation, the government confirmed an aggregate commitment of $55 million over two years to upgrade the airport facilities at Puvirnituq and Salluit in Nunavik, and at Port-Menier and Saint-Augustin on the North Shore.
For the current fiscal year, $16 million will be allocated to Puvirnituq Airport to expand the traffic area, lengthen the runway, replace the lighting and install a peripheral fence. These funds include the participation of the Government of Canada. Port-Menier Airport will benefit from a $10 million investment this year to repair the runway surface.
In 2010-2011, the second phase of the work at Puvirnituq Airport will be carried out, representing a $15 million investment. Other work estimated at $3.6 million will also be implemented next year at Salluit Airport in Nunavik. This will also be the case at Saint-Augustin Airport on the Lower North Shore, where the government will invest $10 million to repair the runway surface.
The other work forecast in the plan will be discussed and planned with the local elected officers and all partners.
The Minister for Transport said he is very proud that the Gouvernement du Québec is giving the communities of Nord-du-Québec special attention by perfecting one of their main transportation networks. “The airports represent a vital link for these northern communities, both for their subsistence and for economic and social development. By equipping them with modern airport infrastructures, we are sending a clear signal of our commitment to help them establish prosperity in their region, both for their own benefit and for that of Québec as a whole,” Mr. MacMillan concluded.
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