FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      

April 14, 2021                

 Masse calls out Prime Minister for not acting to save Canadian airports

(WINDSOR, ON) –During today’s questions period, the NDP MP for Windsor West, Brian Masse, called on the Prime Minister to urgently put a stop to NAV Canada studies which would see seven airports across Canada close, including Windsor Airport. Masse has proposed legislative fixes which the Liberal government have yet to take up.

“The government has done nothing to stop the NAV Canada studies to close flight control towers at airports across the country, which would shut them down,” said Masse. “Removing air traffic control services at YQG would threaten public safety due to the shared airspace with the US and eliminate jobs at local auto and agricultural firms who depend on it.”

In November 2020, NAV Canada announced a study considering the removal of seven airport towers across Canada that included YQG, Whitehorse, Regina, Fort McMurray in Alberta, Prince George in B.C., and Sault Ste. Marie, St. Jean, Quebec. This is the necessary first step in the process to eliminate services.

In 2019, YQG had its highest ever passenger volume year- serving over 383,000 passengers – a 300 percent increase in volume from 2009. Beyond passenger traffic, the airport has become a logistics air hub for shipments from the local growing greenhouse industry and the advanced manufacturing sector.

“The Liberals know I proposed legislative fixes, Bill C-278 which would give the government the power to save these airports. So far, two Transport Ministers in row have failed to act, putting Canadian lives and jobs at risk.”

This legislative changes Masse has proposed will allow the Transport Minister to take practical and decisive action to remove Windsor and any other airports from the NAV Canada study. This will allow for the rebuilding and support of our local economies to recover from the pandemic rather than spending our time defending against NAV Canada’s service reduction and cost cutting initiatives that will ultimately damage a key piece of local infrastructure.

You can watch Masse’s question here. https://youtu.be/2wnZFmYdZtE

 

 

-30-

For additional information please contact Mohummed Peer (519) 982-8816