No. A010/05
For release - August 31, 2005
SYDNEY, NS — Mark Eyking, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade with special emphasis on Emerging Markets, together with Rodger Cuzner, M.P. for Cape Breton - Canso, on behalf of Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, today announced federal funding to improve safety at Sydney Airport through the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).
The Government of Canada is contributing $378,000 towards the replacement of fire hydrants and associated water distribution system, which represents 90 percent of the total cost of the project. The Sydney Airport Authority will assume the remaining 10 percent of the cost, or $42,000. The current fire hydrants and supporting water distribution system are 40 years old and have achieved their maximum life expectancy. Replacement parts are no longer available to carry out repairs, resulting in the requirement to replace the system.
"Today's announcement will improve safety at Sydney Airport and ensure it has the necessary up-to-date equipment to serve its clients," said Mr. Eyking.
"Sydney Airport is an essential component of the Cape Breton transportation infrastructure," said Mr. Cuzner. "Today's announcement is another example of the Government of Canada's commitment to Sydney Airport and the people of Cape Breton."
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.
"The ACAP program seeks to ensure a safe, efficient and affordable airports system to serve Canadians well into the future," said Minister Lapierre.
Sydney Airport is owned and operated by the Sydney Airport Authority. Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided year-round by Air Canada Jazz. Air St. Pierre provides seasonal service during peak summer periods. Prince Edward Air also operates a daily service on behalf of Sameday Courier.
Funding for this project was provided for in the 2005-2006 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
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Contacts:
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Steve BoneArea Manager, CommunicationsTransport Canada(902) 426-7795
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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 National Airports 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.
August 2005
