Sioux Lookout Gains Airport Expansion

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Sioux Lookout
North Star Air Pilatus BC 12
North Star Air Pilatus BC 12

SIOUX LOOKOUT – Residents of Sioux Lookout will benefit from Municipal Airport Terminal Building expansion and renovation thanks to joint funding from the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Small Communities Fund.

The growing importance of air transportation in Northwestern Ontario is fuelling greater demand on the region’s airports.

This project involves the expansion and reconfiguration of the circulation spaces and the retail and concession areas to ensure that the flow of passengers is straightforward, efficient and unconstrained. These expansion and upgrades will help ensure that carriers, air ambulance operators, charters and aircraft maintenance businesses operate with greater efficiency as they continue servicing northern and remote communities. The expansion will allow for provisions of flight security services at the terminal. The project announced today is among 77 recently selected projects, for approximately $260 million in joint federal and provincial funding, under the Small Communities Fund in Ontario.

The $1-billion Small Communities Fund provides funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs. Canada and Ontario will each provide $272 million to support projects in communities across the province with fewer than 100,000 residents. This funding will help address local priorities, supporting job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across Ontario for years to come.

Quick Facts

  • The Government of Canada will provide up to $4,200,000 through the Small Communities Fund for this project.
  • The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $4,200,000 to this project.
  • Sioux Lookout will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.

“Our Government is fully committed to investing in projects like the Sioux Lookout Airport Terminal Building Expansion and Renovation project to ensure the community has the capacity to continue serving the region as economic and service opportunities arise. We have made significant investments at the Sioux Lookout airport in the last six years and today’s investment through the New Building Canada Plan Small Communities Fund reconfirms our commitment to supporting job creation and economic growth in Northwestern Ontario,” stated Greg Rickford – Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, Minister of Natural Resources, and Member of Parliament for Kenora

 “Today’s investment will help to see a major renovation and expansion of the Sioux Lookout Airport Terminal Building, which serves growing northern and remote communities. It’s part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history – more than $130 billion over 10 years. Our government is committed to building Ontario up through important community infrastructure projects like this one,” enthused Michael Gravelle – Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines

“The Sioux Lookout Airport is part of the regional transportation network. Passenger movements through our Airport Terminal have tripled in the last thirty years from 40,000 to over 120,000. The Airport provides a critical link for people in our community and the First Nations to the north who rely on air transportation for most of the year. As well as personal travel, the Sioux Lookout Airport is a key connection for business, health care, social services, education, and the emerging resource development sector. This project is significant for the continued economic development of Sioux Lookout and the region,” commented Doug Lawrence, the Mayor of Sioux Lookout.

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