RED LAKE – Kenora MP Greg Rickford along with Minister of Transport, Denis Lebel were in Red Lake on Thursday to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Red Lake airport. These celebrations recognize the completion of three projects: the construction of a new terminal building; the expansion and improvement of parking facilities; and, the construction of wildlife control fencing.
Greg Rickford said, “Our government is investing in the Red Lake airport to ensure that efficient, effective, safe and affordable systems are in place to serve the people of Northwestern Ontario well into the future, these projects are what Canada’s Economic Action Plan is all about; jobs have been created and maintained, and major legacy investments have been made in the community to benefit us for years to come.”
The expansion project included constructing a new air terminal building, which features luggage handling and processing areas, a flight information kiosk, five airline ticket counters, a First Nations services kiosk, accessible washrooms and retail areas. The federal government contributed $1,437,233 to the project through the Building Canada Fund Communities Component.
The Airport also boasts additional parking and an extended service road, which received $500,000 through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program. In addition, Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program provided up to $504,600 for new wildlife control fencing to enhance overall safety for airport users.
“It’s important for folks from Red Lake Municipality to know that our government understands the important contribution this municipality makes to the Canadian economy” said Rickford. “Minister Lebel is the third senior cabinet minister to visit Red Lake in as many years; Minister Flaherty (Finance) and Minister Clement (then Industry) have previously visited Red Lake”.
In addition to the Red Lake airport Grand Opening, Rickford will also host mayors from across the region to discuss a range of municipal issues relating to Transport and Infrastructure. Mayors from all towns and cities as well as Chief Bull Lac Seul First Nation were pleased to come and show their support and bring a unified voice to Minister Lebel and Rickford regarding Transport and Infrastructure achievements and challenges for the region moving forward.