No. H060/05
For release April 7, 2005
FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO AIRPORTS IN SASKATCHEWAN
REGINA — The Government of Canada is working to improve safety at the La
Ronge and Prince Albert airports through the Airports Capital Assistance
Program, Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and Regional Minister for
Saskatchewan, announced today on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.
The Government of Canada is contributing $1,366,255 towards safety
improvement projects at these two Saskatchewan airports. In La Ronge, the
government is contributing $1,063,475 for the installation of wildlife control
perimeter fencing and the rehabilitation of portions of the existing airport
fencing system. In Prince Albert, the government is contributing $302,750
towards the replacement of the airport’s front-end loader.
"Today’s announcement reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment
to regional and rural communities and the safety of their air services,"
said Mr. Goodale. "These safety enhancements will also help the La Ronge
and Prince Albert airports meet the growing cargo, tourism and travel needs in
Saskatchewan."
The Airports Capital Assistance Program 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.
Under the program, which was established in 1995 and renewed for five years
in January 2005, airports may apply for funding towards capital projects related
to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible,
airports must have year-round, regularly scheduled passenger service, meet
Transport Canada airport certification requirements and not be owned by the
Government of Canada.
"Safety and security are Transport Canada’s top priorities," said
Mr. Lapierre. "The funds being provided to make the safety improvements at
these airports will help them enhance both their safety and economic
potential."
La Ronge Airport was previously owned by Transport Canada and operated by the
Province of Saskatchewan. On March 31, 1998, the Town of La Ronge assumed
ownership of the airport. To date, La Ronge Airport has received approximately
$6.4 million in funding through the Airports Capital Assistance Program,
including the project announced today. Previously funded projects include the
replacement of the airport’s heating system and the replacement of four pieces
of heavy equipment with a new truck, loader and sweeper; as well as the
rehabilitation of the ventilation and lighting systems at the Air
Terminal/Flight Services Building, the primary runway, taxiways, apron and
airside lighting systems. Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided
year-round by Transwest Air.
Prince Albert Airport, previously owned and operated by Transport Canada, was
transferred to the City of Prince Albert on March 26, 1996. Since the transfer,
the airport has received approximately $4.5 million in funding through the
Airports Capital Assistance Program, including the project announced today.
Previously funded projects include the rehabilitation of the airfield lighting;
the replacement of a runway sweeper and two pieces of heavy equipment with a new
plow truck; the installation of wildlife control fencing; the reconfiguration
and expansion of the airport’s apron; and the rehabilitation of four taxiways.
Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided year-round by Transwest Air
and Westwind Airlines.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget
and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder on the Airports Capital Assistance Program
is attached.
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Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
John Embury
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Finance, Ottawa
(613) 996-7861
Susan McLennan
Communications
Transport Canada, Prairie and Northern Region
(204) 983-6315
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 provides funding to eligible airports
to finance capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating
cost reduction. To be eligible, an airport must receive year-round, regularly
scheduled passenger service, meet Transport Canada certification requirements
and not be owned by the Government of Canada.
Funding available under the program is set at $190 million, to be allocated
from April 2005 to March 2010 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 heavy
airside mobile equipment, such as runway snow blowers, runway snowplows, runway
sweepers, spreaders and decelerometers (winter friction testing devices), and
heavy airside mobile equipment shelters.
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.
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 eligible, 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 the Airports Capital
Assistance Program, 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.
The program is part of the National Airports Policy, which was introduced in
July 1994 and calls for the commercialization of designated Canadian airports,
through divestiture to community interests. The policy enables communities to
take greater advantage of their airports, reduce costs, tailor levels of service
to local demand and attract new and different types of business.
April 2005
