Upgrades to Edmundston Airport to benefit northwest New Brunswick communities
News Release
October 10, 2017 – Edmundston, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Modern and up-to-date community infrastructure helps connect people to jobs and provides access to better community services, attracts new business and creates economic growth. Thanks to a combined investment of $750,000 by the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick, the Edmundston airport will undertake renovations that will ensure its long-term viability and enable it to provide vital services, including air ambulance service, which will benefit the entire region.
The funding was announced today by René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). MP Arseneault was joined by the Honourable Francine Landry, Minister of Opportunities New Brunswick and MLA for Madawaska-Les-Lacs-Edmundston, as well as Luc Michaud, President of Madawaska Airport Inc. (AMA).
Renovations to be undertaken include the installation of fencing to increase the security and safety of the runway, as well as upgrades to the airport terminal to make it accessible to passengers and ambulance patients.
The Government of Canada is providing $375,000 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, while the Province of New Brunswick is providing $375,000 through the Regional Development Corporation.
The Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces are committed to working together to build a vibrant future for Atlantic Canada. Investing in important regional infrastructure, such as the Edmundston Airport, is a key component of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which aims to create good, well-paying jobs to strengthen the middle class, improve quality of life, and deliver sustained economic growth years to come.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is investing in infrastructure today to strengthen and grow the middle class, to make Canada a better place, and to build the communities we want for future generations. This project reflects our government’s commitment to engage, make investments and put the right framework in place for economic growth in rural communities throughout Atlantic Canada.”
-The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The Edmundston Airport has long been a critical part of our regional economy and helps to keep our communities connected, vibrant, and competitive. Ensuring it remains up-to-date and fully operational is essential to driving local economic development, building links to the global economy, and increasing our quality of life with services like an air ambulance. The regional benefit of this investment is compounded when we consider that it will also mean up to $750,000 in construction work for local companies.”
-René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche
“Your government understands what matters most to New Brunswickers. We know the importance of creating jobs, growing the economy and securing and enhancing health care and education. We are working hard on these priorities and with your support we are seeing positive change and getting things done. Airports like the Edmundston airport and other strategic infrastructure are important for New Brunswick businesses. The development of this facility is vital to the Edmundston and the Madawaska region’s ongoing efforts to maintain existing business activity and to attracting new businesses in a number of sectors, in order to diversify and grow the local economy while improving the quality of life.”
-Hon. Francine Landry, Minister of Economic Development on behalf of Hon. Bill Fraser, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation
« Ces améliorations à nos infrastructures nous permettront de collaborer avec de différentes industries, inciter les entreprises à s’installer dans notre région et contribuer au développement économique régional. De plus, nous serons encore mieux équipé afin de répondre adéquatement aux besoins des services d’urgence d’ambulance aérienne pour la population locale. »
- Luc Michaud, président de l’Aéroport du Madawaska Airport inc.
Contacts
Jennifer Houle
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-261-5534
Bruce Macfarlane
Communications
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4377
Luc Michaud
President of Madawaska Airport Inc. (AMA)
506-735-5548