The city government in North Bay has approved a financial aid package for the Jack Garland Airport following the news of another airline discontinuing its services to the region. The subsidy, totaling up to $720,000, was agreed upon at a council meeting held on Monday night.
With both Porter and recently Air Canada ceasing operations in North Bay, Bearskin Airlines remains the sole commercial carrier for the airport. Coun. Gary Cardiner emphasized the airport’s significance to the local and regional economy, supporting numerous jobs and serving various entities like ORNGE Air Ambulance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Canadian Armed Forces, FedEx, and private aircraft owners.
Despite Air Canada’s decision to halt flights, Gardiner noted the airport’s resilience, managing to break even even with the loss of the major passenger flight. The financial assistance will be provided to the airport on an as-needed basis, ensuring support in case of deficits without a fixed monthly allocation.
Councillors Tanya Vrebosch and Sara Inch highlighted the importance of exploring long-term strategies to sustain the airport, suggesting tying financial support to specific goals like securing new carriers. Nipissing-Timiskaming Liberal MP Pauline Rochefort emphasized the vital role of local airports in connecting northern and rural communities, urging collaborative efforts at all levels of government to address the challenges faced by the aviation sector.
