No. Q002/06
For release - March 27, 2006
MONTREAL — Safety will be improved at Rimouski, Mont-Joli and Gaspé airports through project funding made available under the Airport Capital Assistance Program. Transport Canada is providing more than $5.7 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 three Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie 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 Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions, to which the Government of Canada is contributing $5,727,125, comprise:
Purchase of a snowplow with an abrasive spreader at Rimouski Airport, for an investment of $264,500;
Repair of some movement areas, including the apron, main runway and, taxiways at Mont-Joli Airport, for an investment of $5,212,200; and
Replacement of the grader for de-icing the runway at Gaspé Airport, for an investment of $250,425.
The city of Rimouski has to date received some $4.6 million under the Airport Capital Assistance Program to finance three projects pertaining to safety, asset protection and reduced operating costs for its airport. Rimouski Airport enables Air Satellite to provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. Airport facilities are also used for general aviation activities. Transport Canada transferred ownership and operations of the Rimouski Airport to the city of Rimouski on April 20, 2002 under the National Airport Policy.
La Régie intermunicipale de l'aéroport régional de Mont-Joli is receiving its first funding today under the Airport Capital Assistance Program. Mont-Joli Airport enables Air Canada Jazz and Pascan Aviation to provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. Its facilities are also used for general aviation activities. Under the National Airport Policy, Transport Canada transferred ownership and operation of Mont-Joli Airport to La Régie intermunicipale de l'aéroport régional de Mont-Joli on January 1, 2005.
The municipality of Gaspé has to date received some $6 million under the Airport Capital Assistance Program to finance eight projects pertaining to safety, asset protection and reduced operating costs for its airport. Gaspé Airport enables Air Canada Jazz to provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. Airport facilities are also used for general aviation activities and medical evacuation. Under the National Airport Policy, Transport Canada transferred ownership and operation of Gaspé Airport to the municipality of Gaspé on January 1, 1998.
"The safety and security of Canadians are Transport Canada's absolute priorities," said Mr. Cannon. "Funding that is designed to enhance safety at these airports will help enhance their safety levels and their economic potentials."
Funding for these projects was provided in the existing financial framework.
Background information 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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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
