IQALUIT-
The federal government has committed $2.8 million to support essential air services for remote communities in Nunavut.
Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced new funding to the Iqaluit airport on Friday on behalf of Transportation Minister Omar Alghabra.
Alghabra says the investment will ensure communities continue to have access to air services for the delivery of essential goods and services, business and commerce, and travel.
The funding comes from Transport Canada’s Remote Air Service Program, which allocates a fixed amount of funding to provinces and territories with remote communities to ensure they receive essential levels of air service.
Provinces and territories are responsible for distributing funds to air carriers.
Under the program, 25 communities with airports in Nunavut are considered remote.
The program provided over $30.6 million to the Government of Nunavut in 2020 and 2021.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 19, 2022.