OTTAWA — Canadian North has opened a new cargo terminal at Ottawa International Airport, bringing much-needed relief to residents in Canada’s remote northern regions by speeding up the delivery of essential supplies such as food and medicine. Canadian North is an airline that services more than 20 destinations across Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories.
Shelly De Caria, President and CEO of Canadian North, stated that the opening marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the company’s growth and service excellence. The airline transports thousands of boxes of food, emergency medical supplies, and commercial goods by air every week to northern communities that have no road access. Born and raised in Kuujjuaq, Quebec, De Caria noted that she personally understands how critical this infrastructure development is for local residents.
The expansion project was completed with CAD $11 million in financial assistance from the federal government’s National Trade Corridors Fund. Defence Minister David McGuinty emphasized that safe and reliable cargo transportation is vital for the security and sovereignty of the northern Arctic region.
With the new terminal now operational, general cargo storage capacity has increased by 40 percent, while cold storage capacity has nearly doubled. Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty pointed out that faster cargo loading and unloading will reduce truck wait times from up to an hour down to just 5 to 10 minutes. The new complex aims to deliver essential goods to remote villages faster, fresher, and without damage.
