No. P004/04 For release October 28, 2004 DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - Industry Minister David Emerson, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C Lapierre, today announced federal funding of $24,400 for a runway sand spreader at the Dawson Creek Airport, under the federal government's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP). "Safety is Transport Canada's top priority," said Mr. Emerson. "Today's contribution is an example of infrastructure resources being directed to where they are most needed to enhance the safety and economic potential of the Dawson Creek Airport." Sanding a runway is often the last line of defence during adverse winter weather conditions. Dawson Creek Airport's new sand spreader will help keep the airport's runways and taxiways safer by keeping them free from ice. Established in 1995, ACAP assists eligible airports by financing capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, they must receive 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. "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. Lapierre. "The program embodies the Government of Canada's commitment to strong social foundations while investing in a vibrant economy for the 21st century." Dawson Creek Airport is owned and operated by the City of Dawson Creek. Central Mountain Air and Hawkair provide regularly scheduled passenger service to the airport. In 1956, the airport opened as an early warning centre airport - part of North America¿s defense system against attack during the Cold War. By 1965, with the assistance of a Transport Canada subsidy, Dawson Creek Airport was being operated by the City of Dawson Creek. The ownership of the airport was transferred from Transport Canada to the City of Dawson Creek on September 1, 1995, becoming the first airport in British Columbia to be transferred by Transport Canada under the National Airports Policy. Including today's announcement, the airport has been awarded over $5.6 million in federal ACAP funding since its transfer. The funds have been used to repave the airport's runway, taxiway and aircraft parking aprons, restore the airport's concrete apron and runway buttons, purchase heavy-duty mobile equipment and runway decelerometer, install wildlife control fencing, and improve the airfield electrical system. Since 1995, the Government of Canada has announced a total of $49.5 million for safety improvement projects, under ACAP funding, at 20 airports in B.C. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. -30- Contact: Rod Nelson Transport Canada Communications, Vancouver (604) 666-1675 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.
