Sudbury Airport Development Corporation is receiving $3.5M from federal government to maintain regional connectivity and jobs

News release

Targeted FedNor support for regional transportation ecosystem in Greater Sudbury and Nickel Belt regions

July 29, 2021 – Sudbury, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario – FedNor

Regional air transportation is crucial to local economic growth, the movement of goods and the connectivity of Canadians across the country. The pandemic has had major impacts on regional air transportation ecosystems, affecting communities and local businesses from coast to coast to coast.

The Government of Canada’s Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI), launched in March 2021, supports access to air transportation and regional ecosystems. In particular, it enables the continuation of existing air routes and ensures airports remain operational and able to contribute to regional economic growth, while adapting to new post-COVID-19 realities and requirements.

Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, and Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced more than $3.5 million in financial support for the Sudbury Airport Community Development Corporation (SACDC). This non-repayable contribution will help mitigate the financial pressures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting the operations of the Sudbury airport for a one-year period. The project is expected to help maintain 27 local jobs.

Regional air transportation is key to the economic development of communities and businesses right across Canada. It is essential to connecting Canadians living in rural and remote communities to urban centres, delivering Canadian goods to the global market and welcoming international visitors to all parts of the country, when it is safe to do so.

Quotes

“It is important to protect our regional air transportation ecosystems for the thousands of workers employed by this sector and for the many businesses and communities that depend on it. We know that air connectivity to all regions is essential to healthy, inclusive economic growth, and supporting it is part of our plan to build back a stronger, more resilient economy.”
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor

“Today’s investment of more than $3.5 million will help secure the ongoing operations of the Greater Sudbury Airport, and enable it to play a meaningful role in the region's economic recovery in the months to come. This announcement is another example of how the strategic investments our government continues to make will help ensure that our economy recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and rebounds even stronger.”
- Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

“I am proud of how our government is answering the call for help from the Greater Sudbury Airport and other regional airports like it across the country. Air transportation is key to maintaining the health of our regional economy and its future growth, and this investment will help it take off as the economy bounces back.”
- Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“The Greater Sudbury Airport is a socio-economic lifeline for our residents and businesses, and this FedNor funding will help to ensure that it continues to play a vital role in our economic recovery and future growth. I’m pleased that the Government of Canada understands the importance of this key local asset and is investing to secure its sustainability. ”
- Brian Bigger, Mayor of Greater Sudbury

“I would like to thank the Government of Canada for this important investment through FedNor that will help us continue to service the communities and businesses of this region. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic negative impact on the air travel and transportation industry, and this critical support through the federal Regional Air Transportation Initiative will help bring stability to our facilities and our sector.”
- Todd Tripp, CEO for the Greater Sudbury Airport

Quick facts

  • The RATI, administered by the regional development agencies (RDAs), has a national budget of $206 million.

  • The Initiative supports regional air ecosystems—which include regional air carriers and airports, as well as SMEs and non-profit organizations—in developing and implementing enhanced services for improved regional connectivity.

  • The RATI complements measures implemented by Transport Canada.

Associated links

Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
catherine.mounier-desrochers@canada.ca

Brian Williamson
Director, Communications Unit
FedNor
705-280-0075
brian.williamson@ised-isde.gc.ca

Page details

Date modified: