Minister of Transport Marc Garneau on November 9 announced a new agreement with the Government of Yukon to support essential air access to remote communities. This agreement, which was initiated to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, follows two similar support measures announced with the governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut back on November 2.

Under the Yukon agreement, the Government of Canada is contributing up to $7 million to ensure continuity of service for at least six months and up to 18 months if necessary. The Government of Yukon is also extending fee waivers totalling up to $234,000, through to the end of March 2021.

Under both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut agreements, the government is contributing up to $17.1 million for each, through a combination of monetary and in-kind contributions, under the same parameters set out above.

The provincial and territorial governments working within this support framework will determine minimum levels of essential services to remote communities, and allocate funding to air operators to ensure the continued supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to these communities.

(Photo: CYXY, Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport photographed in May 2011.)