No Q002/04 For release February 9, 2004 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT VAL D'OR AIRPORT VAL D'OR, QC - The Government of Canada is improving emergency response capabilities at Val d'Or Airport through the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) by purchasing an aircraft emergency intervention vehicle, Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage along with Guy St-Julien MP for Abitibi/Baie James/Nunavik announced today on behalf of Transport Minister Tony Valeri. "Safety and security are Transport Canada¿s top priorities," said Mr. Valeri. "Today's contribution to the Val d'Or Airport will help ensure that the facility continues to provide safe and reliable air transportation for the local community." The Airports Capital Assistance Program is part of the National Airports Policy announced in July 1994. Under the ACAP, which was officially launched on April 1, 1995, and renewed in June 2000, airports may apply for funding towards capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, airports must provide regularly scheduled passenger service, meet airport certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada. Val d'Or Airport today qualified for a maximum federal contribution of $327,000 for the purchase of an emergency intervention vehicle. "The Airports Capital Assistance Program is one way the Government of Canada seeks to ensure a safe, efficient and affordable airports system to serve Canadians well into the future," said Mr. Valeri. "The ACAP is an example of how the Government of Canada directs infrastructure resources to where they are most needed and can best enhance safety and security." The Val d'Or Airport is owned and operated by Aéroport régional de Val-d'Or Inc. (ARVO). Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided by Air Canada Jazz, Air Creebec, Pascan Aviation, Val Air and First Air. Transport Canada transferred the Val d'Or Airport to local interests on January 11, 1999. Since the transfer, the airport has received over $3.5 million from the Government of Canada through the ACAP for taxiway and apron repairs and repaving work, electrical upgrades, rebuilding of the runway drainage system, and a decelerometer, in addition to the purchase of an aircraft emergency intervention vehicle announced today. 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.
