The Chief of the Fond du Lac First Nation said racism is at play as to why the community’s airport runway is not being expanded.
The provincial government has given two explanations as to why the project is delayed.
Deputy Premier Gordon Wyant stated it was not a budgetary priority. Later Government Relations Minister Lori Carr blamed an incomplete funding application.
Chief Louis Mercredi said the First Nation submitted a funding application in March through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream.
He admits that there was an issue with a technical aspect of the submission, being briefly informed by the government.
He said he has written the Ministry officials at least 12 times seeking help to clarify the technical issue, claiming the First Nation does not have the expertise in that area. He alleges the government is ignoring the letters.
Yet he said the Moose Jaw runway project submission too was late, but was still approved.
“The Moose Jaw airport application was also late and that was accepted by the province. What is going on here, are they just supporting their ridings?” Mercredi asked. “What I’m seeing is racism here.”
Fond du Lac is a remote northern community represented by the New Democrats.
Mercredi said a funding application should not prevent the much needed improvements to the runway adding the December 2017 plane crash killed one person.
“The province can reverse their decision and help us finish our application, fill it in properly. And proceed in making us move forward with the airport extension and widening,” Mercredi explained.
He said there is currently limited use in the runway, forcing the community to rely on Stony Rapids, approximately 80 kilometers away.
Deputy Premier Gordon Wyant said the reason the Fond du Lac airport runway project did not make the list of Saskatchewan infrastructure priorities is that the government did not receive a completed funding application, only an expression of interest from the First Nation.
He said the government tried in June to get the First Nation to submit the application, even granting an extension. Wyant adds the government is still committed to the project, but that the proper application must be submitted for evaluation.
Wyant could not address why the Fond du Lac First Nation is responsible for a funding application for infrastructure owned and operated by the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
Mercredi suggested that if the delay continues, he may declare a state of emergency in that community.
(Photo: Plane landing in Fond du Lac. MBC File)