Ontario Strengthening Northern Aviation and Recreation Sectors

Ontario Strengthening Northern Aviation and Recreation Sectors

$169,114 provincial investment will support economic development in Iroquois Falls

March 24, 2022

Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry


IROQUOIS FALLS – The Ontario government is providing more than $169,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to three projects in the aviation and recreation sectors to upgrade their facilities in Iroquois Falls. These investments will build a stronger Ontario by boosting local and regional tourism, rejuvenating the municipal airport and benefiting various industries in the community.

“Encouraging growth in the aviation and tourism sectors in Northern Ontario is a key priority for our government,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “These investments will strengthen the local economy by supporting the local snowmobile club and helping the Iroquois Falls Municipal Airport reach its full potential so it can provide services to more clients, including local hospitals.”

Projects receiving NOHFC funding include:

  • $122,750 to the Town of Iroquois Falls to make improvements to the Iroquois Falls Municipal Airport, including restoring the runway, taxiway and apron and providing improved weather and refueling services to pilots, and $28,873 to develop an Airport Master Plan
  • $17,491 to Jackpine Snowmobile Club to upgrade and modernize the club’s garage to reduce energy costs and provide a safer and cleaner environment for employees and members.

The Iroquois Falls Municipal Airport is used for glider training by air cadet squadrons and healthcare transportation by two hospitals in the region, and provides aviation services for private and recreational users. These investments will allow the airport to accommodate more emergency medical air transportation flights, attract new clients and prepare the airport to meet future demands.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $473 million in 4,244 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.5 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 6,600 jobs.


Quick Facts

  • In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.

Quotes

“Iroquois Falls Municipal Airport urgently needed an Airport Master Plan to help identify and prioritize the key strategic improvements required to increase airport usage and improve pilot and aircraft safety. Without the provincial government’s assistance, the Town of Iroquois Fall’s mayor, council and staff would not have been able to move this crucial transportation infrastructure project forward.”

– Tory Delaurier
Mayor, Town of Iroquois Falls

“Iroquois Falls is a small Northern Ontario community where the Jackpine Snowmobile Club strives to attract winter tourism. The support received from the Ontario government to update our club garage will certainly help our volunteers to maintain our grooming equipment for years to come.”

– Bev Forget
Club President, Jackpine Snowmobile Club


Additional Resources


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