Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region and the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region, made the announcement at the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute in Oujé-Bougoumou.
The Gouvernement du Québec is investing C$32m (€29m) to rehabilitate airport pavements, upgrade the drainage system, and perform other related works at the La Grande-Rivière Airport.
The rehabilitation project will maintain the airport in good condition, meet Transport Canada safety standards and meet the growing demand for diverse goods from communities and businesses operating in Nunavik.
According to the government, this project is essential to ensure access and security throughout northern Québec. La Grande-Rivière Airport is a crucial logistics base for transporting goods and people in the Nord-du-Québec region. During the forest fires in the summer of 2023, for instance, the airport played a crucial role in evacuating people and deploying emergency crews.
“The development of the Nord-du-Québec region brings together various government, industry and community partners around a shared vision of a northern territory that realises its full potential for the benefit of its people. We are getting closer to that vision by working together on projects that promote the region's economic vitality and the quality of life of its residents, such as the announced projects,” said Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region and the Nord-du-Québec Region.
