The official Opposition continued its line of questioning about safety matters at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport on Wednesday for the third day in a row.

Lois Moorcroft, the NDP's Highways and Public Works critic, asked Highways Minister Wade Istchenko to confirm that the airport runway is set for replacement in 2015. She also queried what preparations are currently underway.

Istchenko simply said, "we're planning,” before criticizing the line of questioning by the NDP and defending the airport's record.

Kendra Black, the director of communications for Highways, said today there are no plans to resurface the main runway in the next five years.

"We have a rigorous surface management system in place at the Whitehorse airport where we inspect and rate the runway conditions in Whitehorse on a biennial basis,” she said.

In 2010, she noted, the runway was rated good to very good. The 2012 report is not yet available.

The main runway does need routine maintenance and additional crack sealing, Black added.

Moorcroft followed her first question by asking if the minister had directed his staff to improve the secondary runway for use while the main runway is under construction next year.

Istchenko substantially failed to address Moorcroft's question for the second time.

He said the government takes the safety of the travelling public very seriously and meets Transport Canada's safety standards.

Black added today that while the main runway does not need replacing, contrary to Moorcroft's assertions Wednesday, the secondary runway is scheduled for upgrades.

About $4 million has been allotted in the capital budget over the next two years for that project.

"Upgrading the secondary runway now ensures we have an alternate runway available to accommodate larger aircraft and uninterrupted take-off and landings for most types of aircrafts

during any scheduled maintenance or upgrades to the main runway,” Black said.

Moorcroft highlighted Istchenko's evasion of the question in the preamble to her next and last query on the topic for the day.

"The minister needs to understand that questioning his direction of his department is not a criticism of public servants. He can't keep hiding behind employees for his lack of leadership,” the New Democrat said.

"The minister hasn't answered the questions and hasn't told us if he has decided what his department is going to do,” she said.

"Has the minister given direction to his department to replace the main runway at the Whitehorse airport in 2015 and has the minister given direction to his department to do the work to improve the secondary runway in advance of that work?

"Could the minister answer the question, please?”

Once again, the minister did not answer the questions. He was, however reprimanded and forced to retract his comments after suggesting Moorcroft find another job "because she's not

representing her constituents.”

On Tuesday, Moorcroft questioned whether the department uses airport grade tar to fill cracks in the runway, highlighting an incident involving an Air Canada Jazz aircraft.

According to a Transport Canada safety report from June 2011, tarring vehicles were working on the runway prior to a plane landing.

The flight crew reported tar on the landing gear and underside of the plane after landing.

Moorcroft suggested this could be due to a lower-grade tar than airport quality.

Istchenko did not clearly specify whether the department does in fact use airport grade tar.

But Black was able to clarify the matter today.

"Yes, of course we use airport-grade tar, absolutely,” she said.

The incident Moorcroft highlighted was caused by an equipment malfunction, Black added.

That piece of equipment was subsequently replaced.

Moorcroft went on to ask about aging maintenance equipment and the government's plan to replace it.

She suggested the department investigate the federal airports capital assistance program, which would cover 85 per cent of safety-related costs to replace and maintain airport equipment.

"We replace our equipment on a regular schedule, depending on the life cycle of the equipment and as we can afford it. All of our equipment is well-maintained,” said Black.

She added that the department is well aware of the capital assistance program and has made use of it many times, including to purchase a new high-speed runway sweeper for the

Whitehorse airport recently.