Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, historically we know that air transportation is an essential service in the Northwest Territories, especially in the Sahtu region. Having a runway that is the appropriate length is critical to the air transportation companies so they can operate safely and provide the best type of aircraft to service our communities.

Mr. Speaker, amendments to the Canadian aviation regulations have been introduced. The proposed amendments deal with take-off weight limitations, operations on gravel runways and other potential changes that will have an impact on NWT airports. These changes come into effect in the Northwest Territories in December 2010. That’s 21 months and counting, Mr. Speaker.

What this means, Mr. Speaker, is that many of the planes currently owned by aviation companies serving the Sahtu will not meet the new requirements. They will be restricted to flying with nine passengers or less on a scheduled flight, making the…(inaudible)…inefficient. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is currently upgrading the airport runway length in Fort Good Hope and Tulita to approximately 4,000 feet. While community leaders and the aviation companies in my region appreciate the efforts to improve the airport runways, they feel that the current length is not long enough to accommodate more cost-effective, safer aircrafts like the Beech 1900. The joint company in partnership with Fort Good Hope and Deline want to purchase this plane because they believe it’s the perfect fit for their operations and complies with the new regulations. What they need from this government is a commitment to extend the runways in the Sahtu to a minimum of 4,500 feet to accommodate this type of aircraft.

The Department of Transportation has responded by saying that the current runway extensions are sufficient and suggested that the company consider purchasing other aircraft that can land on a 4,000 foot runway. Mr. Speaker, the communities, along with North-Wright, have examined the suggested options put forward by the Department of Transportation and feel that the Beech 1900 is the way to go. They believe that the department’s position not to extend the runways to 4,500 feet is short-sighted and doesn’t take into account the future needs of the aviation industry in the Sahtu.

Mr. Speaker, aviation companies in the Sahtu region are working hard to provide safe, reliable service to the Sahtu communities. They want to upgrade their fleet to include new aircraft that comply with the new regulations and better serve the Sahtu.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

---Unanimous consent granted