Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this issue only became a problem a very short time ago. The issue of polar flights and us being nominated as an emergency landing airport probably came about three years ago and it has been a problem and it has been growing ever since. I want to assure the Member that we have had good discussions with the federal Minister. We've been very clear that it's a concern that we have to deal with. We no longer can tolerate short notice on some of these emergency landings and the costs incorporated with it and we want to see that resolved. Having said that, it's not our position to say no to any of the aircraft that have an emergency. I mean, we'd never even go there, but we want to ensure if the aircraft are going to land, then they should cover our costs and we should be in a position where our facility is safe. If it takes expanding the runway in order for our facility to be safe, then that should be something we have a way to pay for. We certainly don't want to be in a position where we'd have to incorporate a new fee or something of that nature to cover an expansion that aircrafts from other areas or other parts of the world are going to be utilizing in emergency situations. So we'd like to see a way for the federal government to do that. We have raised it with the Transportation Ministers. They know our situation, I spoke to it personally. Other Ministers from the northern regions have also spoken to it. So the federal Transportation department is very engaged on this issue. They know our situation and they have assured us that it's something they want to deal with now; have a report on it and we will be looking at that. Thank you.
Michael McLeod on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 28th, 2005. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 27th, 2005
Page 1615
See context to find out what was said next.