No. Q003/04 For release March 29, 2004 GASPÉ, QC - The Government of Canada is improving emergency response capabilities at the Gaspé Airport through the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) by financing the purchase of an aircraft emergency intervention vehicle, Georges Farrah, MP for Bonaventure - Gaspé - Îles-de-la-Madeleine - Pabok announced today on behalf of Transport Minister Tony Valeri. "Safety and security are Transport Canada's top priorities," said Mr. Farrah. "Today's contribution to the Gaspé 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. Gaspé Airport today qualified for a maximum federal contribution of $362,736 for the purchase of an aircraft emergency intervention vehicle. "The Airport 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 Gaspé Airport is owned and operated by the City of Gaspé. Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided by Air Canada Jazz and Quebecair Express. Transport Canada transferred the Gaspé Airport to the Municipality on January 1, 1998. Since the transfer, the Airport has received over $4 million from the Government of Canada through the ACAP for the reconstruction of the runway and the taxiway, apron repairs, replacement of the visual approach slope indicator system, installing airfield signs, relocate other equipment, the purchase of a bird scaring system, the purchase of a snow blower truck and a runway sweeper, in addition to the purchase of an aircraft emergency intervention vehicle announced today. - 30 - Contact: François-Nicolas Asselin Communications, Montréal (514) 633-2741 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.
