The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, today announced that a contract has been awarded to Pilitak Enterprises Ltd., an Inuit company, to construct a new National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) aircraft hangar in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

The contract is valued at $45.9 million and construction will continue over the next 18 months. This funding will create local training and good job opportunities for the community during the construction.

The new Arctic NASP hangar will make it possible to conduct more operations, particularly for the safety of marine transportation throughout the year in the Arctic. Aerial surveillance is considered the most effective way to detect spills of hydrocarbons, such as oil.

The Oceans Protection Plan is a true Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, local communities, scientists, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results

Since 1991, the iconic red planes of Canada’s National Aerial Surveillance Program have been a pillar in safeguarding Canada’s marine environment. Over the years, they’ve grown, adding new aircraft, technology, and people, all with the goal of preventing pollution in our waters, protecting our marine environment, and ensuring a safe and efficient transportation industry. The new Iqaluit aircraft hangar will advance Canada’s aerial surveillance system and leverage its potential to protect our Arctic seas, coastlines, and the people who depend on them.

(Dreamstime photo of Iqaluit)