Canada and Local Townships Invest in Gore-Bay Manitoulin Airport
Federal stimulus funding will increase safety, create jobs, boost local economy
GORE BAY, ONTARIO - Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird, along with Dave Hill, Councillor and Airport Commission Member from the Township of Burpee and Mills, today announced that the Government of Canada and the Airport Commission will each invest over $1.6 million toward the rehabilitation of the runway at Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport.
"This investment towards a vital component of the local transportation network demonstrates our government's focus on ensuring the future prosperity of Canadian communities," said MP Rickford. "In this second and final year of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is creating jobs, while delivering on our commitment to renew and improve essential Canadian infrastructure."
"The Township of Burpee/Mills, along with other communities of the western end of Manitoulin are extremely grateful to the Government of Canada for investing $1.68 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund in the rehabilitation of our airport runway," stated Councillor Hill. "This partnership will ensure the longevity of our airport, support and create jobs for local communities as well as encourage business investment in local economies."
The Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport is the primary aviation facility on Manitoulin Island, and has been in operation for over 60 years. This runway improvement project will increase safety at the airport, result in a reduction of GHG emissions, and prolong the life expectancy of the runway by up to 40 years.
The total eligible cost of the project is approximately $3.37 million. The Government of Canada will provide up to $1.68 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, and the Township of Burpee and Mills will contribute the remaining funds.
The Government of Canada's contribution comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, a key component of Canada's Economic Action Plan that invests in infrastructure projects across Canada to stimulate economic activity and create jobs.
