No. H064/05
For release - April 7, 2005
WHITEHORSE — The Government of Canada is working to improve safety at the Old Crow and Dawson City airports through the Airports Capital Assistance Program, Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, announced today on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.
The Government of Canada is contributing $972,000 towards safety improvement projects at these two Yukon airports. In Old Crow, the government is contributing $628,000 and in Dawson City, the government is contributing $344,000 towards the construction of runway incursion control fencing.
"Today's announcement reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to remote and rural communities and the safety of their air services," said Mr. Bagnell. "These safety enhancements will also help these airports meet the growing cargo, tourism and travel needs in the Yukon."
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."
Old Crow Airport, previously owned by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and operated by the Government of the Yukon, was transferred to the territory on April 1, 1990. Since the transfer, Old Crow Airport has received approximately $3.6 million in funding through the Airports Capital Assistance Program, including the project announced today. The previously funded project resurfaced the airport's runway and upgraded the electrical system. Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided year-round by Air North.
Dawson City Airport, previously owned by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and operated by the Government of the Yukon, was transferred to the territory on April 1, 1990. Since the transfer, Dawson City Airport has received approximately $4.3 million in funding through the Airports Capital Assistance Program, including the project announced today. The previously funded project rehabilitated the airside areas and replaced the visual approach slope indicator system and illuminated wind direction indicator systems. Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided year-round by Air North.
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 MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Susan McLennanCommunications Transport Canada, Prairie and Northern Region(204) 983-6315
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BACKGROUNDERAIRPORTS 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 airport 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
