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Northerners spared from paying new security tax

PATRICIA D’SOUZA

Passengers at northern airports won’t have to pay the $24 air security tax imposed by the federal budget in December and set to begin April 1.

Federal Finance Minister Paul Martin made the announcement in the House of Commons last week in response to concerns from northern leaders that the new tax would not be met with an increased level of security in the North.

The tax is meant to fund a new airport authority that will be responsible for security measures such as passenger screening and bomb-detection.

"Travellers who do not use an airport with security services will not be charged the $12 [each way] Air Travellers Security Charge," Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal MP for Nunavut, said in a release.

However, northerners who travel to any of 90 major airports in the South will have to pay a $12 fee. Karetak-Lindell said she will continue to address the imposition of a tax on northern residents who fly South for medical care.

"The addition of the Security Charge will place a further strain on a limited health budget in the territory," she said. "I want to make sure that the minister of finance is aware of this dilemma and I hope he can find a solution to this unique Northern problem."

"Before northerners will be expected to pay increased security costs they will first have to receive the service," said Ethel Blondin-Andew, secretary of state for children and youth.

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