Government of Canada celebrates the opening of Canadian North's new cargo facility at Ottawa International Airport

Canada NewsWire

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 5, 2026

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 5, 2026 /CNW/ -- Reliable transportation is essential for northern and remote communities to access the goods and services they depend on. For many northern Canadians, airports provide a vital connection to other communities and the rest of Canada. That's why the Government of Canada is investing in infrastructure that strengthens supply chains, improves the movement of essential cargo, and supports economic development across the North.

Today, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, and the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, joined representatives from Canadian North, the Ottawa International Airport Authority, and northern partners to celebrate the opening of Canadian North's new cargo facility at Ottawa International Airport.

The project was supported by a Government of Canada investment of up to $11 million through the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF). This new facility will expand Canadian North's general cargo storage capacity by over 40 per cent and its cold storage capacity by almost 85 per cent. Truck wait times will be reduced from 30-60 minutes to 5-10 minutes, allowing cargo to move through the facility more quickly. Cargo aircraft loading processes will also become more efficient, reducing the time required to transfer cargo to aircraft, while improving service reliability.

Canadian North plays a critical role in connecting northern and remote communities to the rest of Canada. The airline serves more than 20 northern destinations across Nunavut, Nunavik and the Northwest Territories, providing passenger and cargo services that are critical for residents, businesses, and local economies.

The opening of this facility represents an important milestone in strengthening northern supply chains and improving Canada's transportation network. Investments through the National Trade Corridors Fund help ensure that critical goods reach communities safely and efficiently while supporting economic growth in the North.

Quotes

"The opening of this new Canadian North cargo facility is an important step in strengthening the supply chains that northern and remote communities depend on every day. This investment means greater cargo capacity, more reliable service and a more efficient connection between Canada's North and the rest of the country. By investing in modern transportation infrastructure, we are helping ensure goods reach communities when they are needed, while supporting economic growth and opportunity across Canada's North."

The Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

"Reliable transportation is essential to life in the North, delivering food, medicine, construction materials, and other goods while connecting communities to each other and the rest of Canada. This new facility strengthens our transportation networks and makes our supply chains more resilient. But more importantly, it's an investment in the future of our country and the people who call the North home. That's what it means to build Canada Strong."

The Honourable Rebecca Alty
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

"Every day, essential cargo leaves the Ottawa International Airport for communities across the North. Strong, well-supplied communities are key to Arctic security and sovereignty. Canadian North's new facility moves that cargo faster, keeps it fresher, and supports well-paying jobs right here in Ottawa South."

The Honourable David J. McGuinty
Minister of National Defence

"For Northern families and communities, cargo planes are lifelines carrying fresh food, medicine, and essentials. By cutting wait times and expanding cold storage, this new facility ensures those critical goods arrive faster, fresher, and more reliably. This investment in the Canadian North cargo facility reinforces the Government of Canada's commitment to improving national supply chains and fostering domestic trade across Canada. It directly supports the health, well-being, and economic resilience of Northern communities."

The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand
Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

"Our airline has been built to serve the North, and this new cargo facility is a direct reflection of our ongoing commitment to making life better in the communities we serve. With Transport Canada's support, and as part of the Exchange Income Corporation family of companies, we are expanding capacity, improving reliability and enhancing the movement of essential goods, helping make a meaningful difference for the northern residents, families and businesses who depend on Canadian North every day."

Shelly De Caria
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian North

Quick Facts

Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, the Government of Canada is investing to help goods move smoothly throughout Canada's supply chains.
The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada. A total of $4.1 billion has been committed to projects since the program's inception.
Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, Transport Canada is supporting improvements to Canada's roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes to foster domestic and international trade.