ONTARIO -- The Ontario government is providing additional support for air travel to remote communities in an effort to help those communities who have limited access to essential goods and services.
Canada's Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Canada's Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, the Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs, the Honourable Greg Rickford, and the Ontario Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, announced funding to maintain essential air access for remote communities in Ontario, including First Nation communities. Airports and air carriers play a crucial role in maintaining safety, security, and connectivity for travellers, workers and communities.
Remote communities rely on air service as the only year-round mode of transportation. Some communities, particularly First Nations communities, have limited access to essential goods and services due to seasonal ice roads and long and unreliable gravel roads.
The Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, states, “Our government continues to provide support to First Nation communities in Northern Ontario by investing in small air carriers, as they ensure that essential goods and services, like healthcare, are accessible year-round for those who depend on it. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we are taking action to improve and expand Northern Ontario's transportation system so that people and businesses can get where they need to go."
In addition to the $16.2 million in federal funding already provided in response to the pandemic, the Government of Canada is investing over $5.4 million to support these air services.
Over the last two years, Ontario provided over $14 million in annual funding to operate remote airports. The province also provided an additional $4 million to ensure remote airports' continued safe and uninterrupted operations during the pandemic.
"Ontario is supporting small air carriers serving Northern and remote First Nation communities that are experiencing ongoing and unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “This funding is vital for these communities that depend on small air carriers for access in and out of their communities and for essential goods and services, such as food, employment, health care, education and social services."
This financial contribution will help maintain air transportation services to remote First Nation communities in Ontario to ensure continued access to essential goods and services, including community resupply of food and medical supplies.