The Pas MLA Amanda Lathlin addressed the Manitoba Legislature during question period recently regarding cuts made to Northern Manitoba Airports. Lathlin said the provincial government is making cuts to northern airports and as a result 20 airports in the North will not be able to clear snow from their runways on weekends unless there is a medical emergency.

She added that medical emergencies don’t take weekends off and there is no have time to wait for runways to be cleared. According to MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee over 2 million dollars in funding has been cut from northern airports and marine operations and many first nations’ leaders find these cuts appalling and unacceptable.

Lathlin asked if the government would reserve the cuts immediately and she also asked if the government would restore funding for weekend snow clearing at Northern airports and The Minister of Infrastructure Ron Schuler responded by saying that they will continue to clear the runways to the federally mandated standard.  Lathlin believes this will mean no snow clearing on weekends.