Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra on November 15 announced that the Federal government is making a series of safety investments at local and regional airports in the Northwest Territories.

Through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program, four airports in the Northwest Territories will receive over $1.5 million for the purchase of safety equipment that will assist in the removal and control of ice and snow from airside surfaces such as runways, taxiways, and the apron.

The airports receiving funding include: Fort Simpson for the purchase of a 4×4 snowplow truck costing $420,000; Hay River to purchase a grader costing $410,000; Inuvik to purchase a loader for $381,425; and Yellowknife to purchase a sweeper ($314,500), 4×4 snowplow truck ($357,000) and a de-icing trailer ($89,250).

These investments are in addition to the more than $19.8 million in funding provided through the program in May 2021 for safety-related projects at the Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife airports.

“The airports in Fort Simpson, Inuvik, Hay River, and Yellowknife are all critically important for residents and businesses in their regions,” said Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories. “These investments in safety equipment will help ensure continued safe and reliable airport operations for Northerners.”

(Photo: Gordon Leggett)