The provincial government is being urged to improve the condition of airports in northern Ontario.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa airport runways in particular are in need of upgrading.

“Air carriers say flying in the north is like flying in the 1950’s, because we still have gravel runways, and that not acceptable,” Mamakwa told the Ontario Legislature during Question Period on Tuesday.

“They are only 3,500 feet.  When is this government going to improve safety standards of northern airports.”

Mamakwa also says the cost of living in northern communities because many goods have to be flown in.

“If you go to Kasabonika Lake to Winnipeg return, you know how much that is?  $3,200 return.  In Webequie last week, someone contacted me about the cost of gas.  A liter of gas in Webequie is $4.59 cents.”

Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford says the NDP is partly to blame because they supported federal carbon tax and even voted against a reduction in the cost of fuel for planes flying into northern communities.