No. ON 07/03 For release October 16, 2003OPENING OF THE NEWLYRENOVATED AIR TERMINAL BUILDINGAT THE GREATER SUDBURY AIRPORTSUDBURY, Ont. - Mr. Ray Bonin, MP, Nickel Belt, on behalf of Transport Minister, the Honourable David Collenette, along with his Worship Jim Gordon, mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury, today marked the opening of the newly renovated and expanded air terminal building at the Greater Sudbury Airport. Under the agreement to transfer the airport to the City of Greater Sudbury, the Government of Canada provided $1.3 million of the $6.34 million total cost of this project. "This project illustrates the success of the federal government's National Airports Policy in transferring Canada's smaller airports to local control," said Mr. Bonin. "These improvements will provide better infrastructure for future growth in passenger services and commercial activities for the Greater Sudbury Airport." Negotiations to transfer the airport as a regional/local airport began in the fall of 1999. On March 31, 2000, after the City Council endorsed the proposal to transfer ownership of the airport, the Greater Sudbury Airport was transferred from the federal government to the City of Greater Sudbury. As part of the transfer, the federal government signed a $1.3 million Contribution Agreement with the City to address deficiencies in the old Airport Terminal Building. The City of Greater Sudbury decided to apply the $1.3 million to cover a large portion of the costs for the design, renovation and expansion of the air terminal building. As a result of the transfer to local control, the Greater Sudbury Airport became eligible for funding of more than $3 million towards safety improvement projects under the Government of Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP). Those projects include the replacement of various electrical systems, the purchase of a runway sweeper, the replacement of edge and threshold lighting and a pavement rehabilitation to runway 12-30. The Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) is part of the National Airports Policy, which was announced in July 1994. Under ACAP, which officially began April 1, 1995, airports may apply for funding towards capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. "Transport Canada has made a significant investment in our community and we commend them for their vision and support," said Greater Sudbury Mayor, Jim Gordon. "With local control, we can focus attention on marketing the airport as part of our overall economic development strategy. The airport will be a catalyst for economic growth across Northern Ontario." Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the current fiscal framework. A backgrounder with more information on the Greater Sudbury Airport is attached. - 30 - Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER Greater Sudbury Airport The Greater Sudbury Airport was constructed in 1952 by the Department of National Defence as an Emergency Landing strip for its jet fighters (CF-100 aircraft) flying out of North Bay, Ontario. The Greater Sudbury Airport was transferred to the Sudbury Airport Community Development Corporation from Transport Canada on March 31, 2000. In addition to the $1.3 million for the newly renovated and expanded air terminal building, the Greater Sudbury Airport has also received additional federal funding of more than $3 million towards safety improvement projects under the Government of Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program. Those projects include the replacement of various electrical systems, the purchase of a runway sweeper, the replacement of edge and threshold lighting and a pavement upgrade to runway 12-30. The Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) is part of the National Airports Policy, which was announced in July 1994. Under ACAP, which officially began April 1, 1995, airports may apply for funding towards capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. The City of Greater Sudbury is a dynamic, diversified community. The Greater Sudbury region, with a population of 155,000 and a catchment area of 500,000 is home to more than 6,400 businesses. It is the Northeastern Ontario centre for education, business, retail, medical services and government. The airport is one of Northern Ontario's busiest airports and is located approximately 24 kilometres north of downtown Greater Sudbury. It is the hub of Northern Ontario and serves as a port-of-call for air carriers offering scheduled passenger service. The airport services both private and commercial, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft operators. October 2003