WHITEHORSE, YT, July 2, 2026 /CNW/ – Canadians, international tourists, and businesses rely on safe and well-maintained airports to stay connected and keep our economy moving. International tourists and businesses benefit from safe and well-maintained airports. Local and regional airports provide critical benefits by supporting safer, healthier, and more connected communities.

Today, Member of Parliament for the Yukon and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, Dr. Brendan Hanley, on behalf of the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, announced that the Government of Canada is strengthening air safety at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.

Through the Airports Capital Assistance Program, the federal government is providing over $2 million to the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport to purchase an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle.

The airport serves over 475,000 passengers each year, and the current ARFF is critical in providing rapid and effective response to aircraft emergencies. The existing vehicle was purchased by the Government of Yukon 20 years ago and it has reached the end of its lifecycle.

In addition to enhancing safety measures, this project will improve safety and increase airport capacity, supporting economic growth and connectivity across Yukon.

Quotes

“For northern and remote communities, reliable air service is essential. This investment will strengthen the airport’s ability to provide safe, dependable operations while supporting regional economic growth and keeping communities connected. Through investing in our airports and our transportation network, we are creating a stronger and more united Canada.”
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

“The Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport is essential to Yukoners, supporting both our communities and local businesses. This investment will help ensure the airport continues to safely connect us with family and friends, open doors to new destinations, and serve as a vital economic driver for our region for years to come.”
Dr. Brendan Hanley
Member of Parliament for the Yukon and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs

“Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport is a vital part of Yukon’s transportation network and keeping it safe is one of our top priorities. Replacing our 20-year-old Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle ensures our crews have the equipment they need to respond quickly and effectively when it matters most. We appreciate the Government of Canada’s partnership in helping us maintain safe, reliable airport operations for Yukoners and everyone who travels through our territory.”
The Honourable Linda Benoit
 Minister of Highways and Public Works for the Government of Yukon

Quick Facts

• Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program provides federal funding to help eligible airports finance capital projects and equipment that will help them maintain safety.
• Eligible projects include the purchase/replacement of heavy airside mobile equipment (snow blowers, snowplows, runway sweepers, loaders and material spreaders) and aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles; associated equipment and shelters; the rehabilitation of runway, taxiway and apron pavements; airfield lighting and electrical systems; and the installation of wildlife fencing.
• Since its launch in 1995, the Airports Capital Assistance Program has committed over $1.3 billion for 1,288 projects at 201 local and regional airports across the country.
• Since the Airports Capital Assistance Program started in 1995, Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport has received more than $12.3 million in funding for 8 safety projects, including today’s announcement.

Associated Link

• Airports Capital Assistance Program

Visit Transport Canada’s website.

WHITEHORSE, YT, Jan. 12, 2024 /CNW/ – An efficient and reliable transportation system is essential to making life more affordable for Canadians. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring our supply chains support economic growth and create good, middle-class jobs, while making them resilient and adaptable to the effects of climate change.

Today, the Minister of Transport, Pablo Rodriguez, announced an investment of up to $186.2 million under the National Trade Corridors Fund for a project that includes major upgrades at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.

The airport infrastructure requires improvements to maintain existing essential services such as passenger and charter flights, as well as cargo handling activities.

The project consists of four main improvements:

• upgrading the parallel runway;
• reconstructing the main runway;
• replacing the Whitehorse air maintenance facility, and
• building a new rotary operations (helicopter) area.

In addition to upgrading the airport’s critical infrastructure, the project aims to enhance safety measures and increase operational capacity to better support Yukon’s mining and tourism sectors. The project will also work to increase the airport’s resilience against the impacts of climate change.

The Government of Canada continues to make investments to strengthen the country’s supply chains, promote economic growth and enhance the opportunities for our businesses to expand into global markets. This represents another long-term commitment to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors.

Quotes

“We’re investing in the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport to support the growth of the tourism and economic sectors in Yukon. Strengthening our supply chains also means Canadians in Northern communities can more easily have access to the goods they need, when they need them and at fair prices.”

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport

“This investment by our government is a vote of confidence in one of the key economic sectors of the Yukon. It will also ensure our infrastructure is resilient and will be able to withstand the disruptive effects of climate change. With these runway upgrades, Erik Nielsen Airport will be able to better serve our community.”

Brendan Hanley
Member of Parliament for Yukon

“As the largest airport in the Yukon, the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport is critical to our transportation network. Our government is committed to making investments in our aviation infrastructure to help provide safe and reliable air travel for all. These upgrades will continue to ensure the airport meets the needs of the territory now and into the future.”

Nils Clarke
Minister of Highways and Public Works
Government of Yukon

Quick Facts 

• An efficient and reliable transportation network is key to Canada’s economic growth. The Government of Canada, through the National Trade Corridors Fund, is making investments that will support the flow of goods across Canada’s supply chains.
• The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada. A total of $4.6 billion over 11 years (2017-2028) has been allocated to the program.
• Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, Transport Canada is supporting improvements to Canada’s roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes to foster domestic and international trade.

Related Product

National Trade Corridors Fund Backgrounder