Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 17 seconds.
Canadians, tourists and businesses benefit from safe and well-maintained airports. From visiting friends and family, to travelling to medical appointments, or getting goods to market, we rely on our local airports to support and sustain vibrant communities. These airports also provide essential air services including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue and forest fire response.
The Honourable Bob Nault, member of Parliament (MP) for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, minister of Transport, visited the airport in Webequie First Nation to tour the recently completed project to replace the airfield electrical system.
“The airport in Webequie First Nation is a vital link for residents and businesses as the airport provides the only year-round means of transportation into the community. This new airfield electrical system will help to ensure continued safe operations at the airport for passengers and workers, medical evacuations, and special flights for freight, mineral exploration and tourism,” said Nault.
The work included the replacement of the edge lights on the main runway, taxiway and apron, as well as various other electrical system rehabilitation projects such as new electrical cabling and a new lighting control panel.
Cornelius Wabasse, chief of the Webequie First Nations, said, “Webequie First Nation is happy that the runway lighting upgrade was successfully completed and it greatly improves the runway lighting in poor visibility or night-time landings and takeoffs at the Webequie Airport; hence improving the safety of inbound and outbound flights and its passengers at the Webequie Airport.”
A well maintained airfield electrical and lighting system is key to ensuring safe airport operations for passengers and crews, especially for airports such as Webequie, which operates in limited daylight each day during the winter months.
“The Government of Canada recognizes the important role played by Canada’s local airports in supporting jobs and tourism, enabling investment and facilitating trade. Our investments are helping airports increase safety and accessibility for residents and travellers, while supporting the continued growth of local and regional economies,” stated Garneau.
This $1 million-project was funded through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).
