No. H008/04 For release March 12, 2004 OTTAWA - New projects to enhance safety at Canadian airports under the 2004-2005 Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) were announced today by Transport Minister Tony Valeri. Established in 1995, ACAP assists eligible airports by financing capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. In order to be eligible for funding consideration, an airport must have year-round regularly scheduled passenger service, meet airport certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada. ACAP is an integral part of the National Airports Policy which provides Canadians with a comprehensive framework that clearly defines the Government of Canada's role regarding airports. "This program embodies the Government of Canada's commitment to strong social foundations while investing in a vibrant economy for the 21st century," said Mr. Valeri. "These investments will help direct infrastructure resources to where they are most needed, and enhance the safety and economic potential of these facilities." There were 38 projects selected for funding this year. The total proposed ACAP delegation for new projects starting in 2004-2005 is over $32 million. Since April 1, 1995, ACAP funding totals $265 million for 335 projects at 136 airports. Over 99 per cent of these were airside safety-related projects such as runways, taxiways, visual aids and heavy airside mobile equipment. Funding for these projects was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework. Backgrounders on ACAP and on the projects are attached. -30- Contact: Christina Van Loon Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 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 AIRPORTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) is part of the National Airports Policy, announced in July 1994. Under ACAP, which officially began April 1, 1995, airports may apply for funding toward capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, an airport must receive regularly scheduled passenger service, meet airport certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada. Funding available under ACAP is set at $190 million, to be allocated from April 2000 to March 2005 at an average of $38 million per year. Contributions are considered for the following types of projects: First priority projects include safety-related airside projects, such as rehabilitation of runways, taxiways, aprons, lighting and other utilities, visual aids, and sand storage sheds. This category also includes related site-preparation and environmental costs, aircraft firefighting vehicles and ancillary equipment and equipment shelters that are necessary to maintain the required level of protection. Second priority projects include safety-related airside mobile equipment, such as runway snow blowers, runway snowplows, runway sweepers, spreaders and decelerometers (winter friction testing devices). Third priority projects include safety-related air terminal building and groundside projects, such as sprinkler systems, asbestos removal and barrier-free access. Fourth priority projects include asset protection and refurbishing, operating cost reduction related to air terminal building or groundside access, and heavy airside mobile equipment shelters. Priority for funding will also be established by Transport Canada on the basis of a detailed technical analysis of a facility's condition and maintenance history, airport traffic and certification requirements. To be acceptable, projects must maintain or improve safety levels, protect airport assets or significantly reduce operating costs. Projects must also meet accepted engineering practices and be justified on the basis of current demand. Airport facility expansion projects will only be considered if the current facilities have a potentially negative impact on safety at the airport. Transport Canada's first priority is safety. Through ACAP, the Government of Canada is helping to enhance not only airport safety, but also the economic viability of this important aspect of Canada's transportation infrastructure March 2004 AIRPORTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROJECTS STARTING IN 2004-2005 *where noted project funding will be spent over two years (2004-05, 2005-06) PROVINCE AIRPORT PROJECT FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION Alberta Grande Prairie Airport Rehabilitation of runway 07-25 $2,372,350 Alberta Peace River Airport Purchase of plow truck $212,846 British Columbia Dawson Creek Airport Purchase of dry/liquid spreader $81,400 British Columbia Fort Nelson Airport Airfield electrical upgrades $659,239 British Columbia Fort St. John Airport Airside rehabilitation *2004-05: $4,688,606 *2005-06: $1,133,962 Total: $5,822,568 British Columbia Quesnel Airport Decelerometer replacement $5,200 British Columbia Smithers Airport Electrical distribution upgrade $286,900 British Columbia Williams Lake Airport Decelerometer replacement $5,072 Manitoba Brandon Airport Replacement of runway sweeper $141,500 Manitoba Lynn Lake Airport Airfield electrical systems restoration/replacement $719,767 Manitoba South Indian Lake Airport Runway extension, installation of precision approach path indicator and safety fencing *2004-05: $500,000 *2005-06: $2,235,529 Total: $2,735,529 Manitoba Thompson Airport Plow truck replacement $172,325 Newfoundland and Labrador Churchill Falls Airport Purchase and installation of wildlife control fencing, aircraft radio control of aerodrome lighting system and precision approach path indicator $618,000 Purchase of plow truck and aviation radio $254,050 Newfoundland and Labrador Deer Lake Airport Runway lighting system upgrade and wind direction indicators for runways 07 and 25 $784,621 Nova Scotia Sydney Airport Selective apron panel and decelerometer replacement $161,500 Nunavut Cape Dorset Airport Plow truck replacement $239,000 Nunavut Coral Harbour Airport Airfield lighting replacement *2004-05: $300,000 *2005-06: $200,000 Total: $500,000 Nunavut Kugaaruk Airport Snowblower rehabilitation $236,000 Nunavut Sanikiluaq Airport Motor grader replacement $243,000 Ontario Kingfisher Lake Airport Supply of crushed gravel *2004-05: $761,250 *2005-06: $121,800 Total: $883,050 Ontario Kingston Airport Conversion of runway 12-30 into taxiway $1,298,000 Ontario Moosonee Airport Construction of two helicopter pads $459,800 Ontario Nakina Airport Purchase of snowplow truck $179,900 Ontario North Bay Airport Various airside electrical projects $1,010,479 Purchase of sander box $35,000 Ontario Sault Ste. Marie Airport Concrete panel replacements - threshold runway 12 and main apron $1,420,000 Ontario Sioux Lookout Airport Purchase of plow truck $168,200 Ontario Windsor Airport Airfield signage upgrades $121,771 Runway sweeper replacement $145,900 Québec Aupaluk Airport Resurfacing of landing strip $934,100 Québec Chibougamau-Chapais Airport Runway drainage and re-lighting $1,344,821 Purchase of runway sweeper $170,000 Québec Roberval Airport Repairs to airport facilities $3,393,484 Québec Rouyn-Noranda Airport Purchase of runway sweeper $205,494 Québec Val-d'Or Airport Purchase of runway sweeper $183,800 Saskatchewan Stony Rapids Airport Airside drainage improvement $1,312,057 Yukon Old Crow Airport Runway resurfacing and electrical upgrade *2004-05: $1,310,000 *2005-06: $1,645,676 Total: $2,955,676 Total $32,472,399 March 2004
