No. Q003/06
For release - March 27, 2006
MONTREAL — Safety will be improved at Roberval, Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d'Or, Kangirsuk and Tasiujaq airports through project funding made available under the Airport Capital Assistance Program. Transport Canada is providing more than $3.9 million in assistance to carry out these projects.
Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Regional Minister for Quebec made this announcement today.
"Today's announcement contributes to the safety of air transport and clearly illustrates the Government of Canada's commitment towards communities," said Mr. Cannon. "The safety enhancements will also assist the five Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec airports in better meeting the tourism and travel needs of these Quebec regions."
Under the National Airport Policy, the Airport Capital Assistance Program, which was set up in 1995 and extended to March 31, 2010, allows eligible airports to seek financing for capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction.
To be eligible, an airport must provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service, meet Transport Canada airport certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada.
Improvement projects in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions, to which the Government of Canada is contributing $3,922,241, comprise:
Replacement of the approach lighting system, replacement of a portion of the fence and gate and purchase of a snowblower at Roberval Airport, totalling $1,014,581;
Replacement of the emergency power unit and construction of a shelter for heavy equipment at Rouyn-Noranda, for $640,660;
Repair of a section of the runway and paving of this section in bituminous concrete at Val d'Or Airport for $287,750;
Purchase of a runway compactor for the exclusive use of Kangirsuk Airport, so that compacting work can be performed on a regular basis, thus extending the landing strip's service life, for $125,750; and
Production of 9,300m3 of crushed gravel to be used in restoring the landing strip at Tasiujaq, for $1,853,500.
"The safety and security of Canadians are Transport Canada's absolute priorities," said Mr. Cannon. "Funding that is provided to enhance safety at these airports will help them enhance their safety levels and their economic potentials."
Funding for these projects was provided in the existing financial framework.
Background information on airports receiving funding and on the Airport Capital Assistance Program is enclosed.
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Contact:
Marie-Anyk CôtéCommunicationsTransport Canada, Dorval(514) 633-2742
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BACKGROUNDERSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ATFIVE AIRPORTS IN SAGUENAY-LAC-SAINT-JEAN,ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE AND NORD-DU-QUÉBEC
The city of Roberval has to date received some $5.4 million under the Airport Capital Assistance Program to finance three projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction for its airports. Roberval Airport permits Air Creebec to provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. The facilities also serve as a base for the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu. The city of Roberval has owned Roberval Airport for nearly 20 years.
The city of Rouyn-Noranda has to date received some $6.1 million under the Airport Capital Assistance Program to finance seven projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction for its airport. Rouyn-Noranda Airport enables Air Canada Jazz and Pascan Aviation to provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. Airport facilities are also used for general aviation and medical evacuation activities. Transport Canada transferred ownership and operation of Rouyn-Noranda Airport to the city of Rouyn-Noranda on March 17, 1997 under the National Airport Policy.
The Aéroport régional de Val-d'Or has to date received some $4.5 million under the Airport Capital Assistance Program to finance six projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction for its airport. Val-d'Or Airport enables Air Canada Jazz, Air Creebec and Pascan Aviation to provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. Under the National Airport Policy, Transport Canada transferred ownership and operation of Val-d'Or Airport to the Aéroport régional de Val-d'Or on January 12, 1999.
Kangirsuk Airport has to date received some $1.2 million under the Airport Capital Assistance Program to finance two projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction for its airport. Kangirsuk Airport enables Air Inuit to provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. Airport facilities are also used for medical evacuations. The Government of Quebec owns Kangirsuk Airport, which has been managed by the Kativik Regional Government since 1996.
Tasiujaq Airport today receives its first funding under the Airport Capital Assistance Program. Tasiujaq Airport enables Air Inuit to provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. Airport facilities are also used for shipping goods and for medical evacuations. The Government of Quebec owns Tasiujaq Airport, which has been managed by the Kativik Regional Government since 1996. This airport is located in the Arctic Climatic Zone. The climate is characterized by severe winters and a short thaw season, resulting in constant permafrost.
March 2006
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 snowblowers, 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.
March 2006
