Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was a clipping in the Globe and Mail just the other day about transpolar flights, and my question is for the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine. This article about transpolar flights quoted Alexander Levit, the future Russian presidential candidate, who is promoting a scheme for over the pole flights that would go from Asia over North America and specifically, the NWT and, of course, Canada. He portrays this as a potential source of untold riches for both Russia and Canada. Naturally, these costs of over-flights, the revenue generated goes to NAV Canada. In September, the Russian aviation authority gave approval to two new air corridors to be established in Russian airspace allowing for the potential commercial exploitation of transpolar routes. Levit predicts that 150,000 flights could potentially be attracted per year on those particular flights. As I said, that is great for Canada, and NAV Canada, but it has some downside problems for us in the Northwest Territories. The Minister is familiar with the shortcomings in the NWT air transportation services and I am wondering if the Minister is working on a program to address the potential needs for upgraded facilities in the Northwest Territories?
Jake Ootes on Question 146-13(6): Transpolar Flights
In the Legislative Assembly on November 4th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Question 146-13(6): Transpolar Flights
Item 6: Oral Questions
November 3rd, 1998
Page 266
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