A funding injection of more than $3 million for an airport in Northern Ontario could be a vital boost for a small community.

The provincial and federal governments announced on July 15 that they had teamed up to provide more than $18 million in finding for six road projects and one airport project in Northern Ontario. Among these is a plan to rehabilitate of a portion of the Manitouwadge airport runway, apron and taxiway, which includes resurfacing the asphalt and new airway traffic symbols and safety markings. The project will improve safety, reduce service interruptions and offer a more reliable service to passengers.

“The Manitouwadge Airport is an essential link for many vital services in our remote community,” said Township Mayor John MacEachern. “Ensuring access for emergency medical flights, emergency hydro repair and forest fire management are only a few reasons why this project is so important to our community and its residents.”

Debby Hardy, CEO of Santé Manitouwadge Health, added that the airport is an essential part of the organization’s ability to save lives.

“The ability to transfer health care clients requiring a tertiary centre and a higher level of care is critical to the well-being of our patients,” she said. “The location and rurality of Manitouwadge makes the airport a high-needs service for the community and for the delivery of equitable, high-level and life-saving health care in a timely manner.”

The remaining projects funded under the plan include:

• rehabilitation of priority roadways in Red Lake. The project includes the rehabilitation of existing roads and sidewalks as well as adding new sidewalks ($5.6 million),
• road reconstruction in Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation). The project includes the reconstruction of a portion of roads on reserve, as well as improvements to the main highway entrance ($3.3 million),
• reconstruction of Pickle Lake Road in the Township of Pickle Lake. The project includes the reconstruction, regrading, widening and expansion of the road to connect it to Highway 599 ($3.1 million),
• rehabilitation of roads in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg to widen, repave, upgrade drainage and replace a culvert ($2.2 million),
• the reconstruction of Mill Road in the Township of Terrace Bay to widen lanes and asphalt shoulders ($1.6 million), and
• upgrades to the access road between Highway 71 and the First Nation communities of Naotkamegwanning, Animakee Wa Zhing #37 and Northwest Angle #33 ($1.1 million).

The Government of Canada is investing over $12.7 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $5.5 million for the projects, while municipalities are contributing over $1.7 million towards the projects and First Nations communities are contributing $443,979.