Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Reducing transportation costs and increasing safety in small communities.
WHEREAS the high cost of transportation in the North is one of the main factors that contributes to the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS the Department of Transportation released “A Study of Runway Issues in the Northwest Territories” that examined the current and future requirements of community airports and runways;
AND WHEREAS the communities of Nahanni Butte and Jean Marie River have been seeking upgrades to their airports, including runway lighting, that would increase the safety and accessibility of these Nahendeh communities;
AND WHEREAS the communities of Fort Good Hope and Tulita will greatly benefit from an additional 1,000 feet being added to their existing runways that would bring their runway lengths up to nearly 4,000 feet apiece;
AND WHEREAS the Department of Transportation recognizes that Transport Canada’s rules and regulations that will come into effect in 2010 will have a negative impact on northern air carriers and their operations, which will result in higher transportation costs for northern passengers and freight services;
AND WHEREAS the Department of Transportation has been working with stakeholders in the Sahtu region and currently have equipment on the ground in Fort Good Hope to complete the extension of the Fort Good Hope runway;
AND WHEREAS the communities of Fort Good Hope and Deline have a business partnership with North-Wright Airways Ltd. and the community of Deline has invested in facilities at the Yellowknife Airport as part of those business activities;
AND WHEREAS the Sahtu communities are not situated on the all-weather road system and are, in fact, 350 miles from the nearest centres;
AND WHEREAS the additional 500 feet being added to the Fort Good Hope and Deline runways will mean a reduction in transportation costs and the cost of living overall;
AND WHEREAS the current budget of $2 million for the Fort Good Hope runway upgrade may not be
completely expended this year which would lead to a surplus that could be applied to one of the other runway extension projects;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Department of Transportation take immediate action to identify the funds and resources necessary to complete the runway extensions in Fort Good Hope and Deline;
AND FURTHER, recommends that the Department of Transportation take immediate actions to identify the funds and resources necessary to undertake runway improvements, including runway lights, in the communities of Nahanni Butte and Jean Marie River.