No. PNR 001/06
For release - March 27, 2006
FORT MCMURRAY — The Government of Canada is enhancing safety at airports in Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Lethbridge by investing more than $6 million in safety improvements projects, under Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program.
"Today's announcement of safety improvement projects at these five airports reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to regional and rural communities and the safety of their air services," said Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "These safety enhancements will also help these airports meet the growing cargo, tourism and travel needs in Alberta."
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 on April 1, 2005, airports may apply for funding toward 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 Government of Canada is contributing toward the following safety improvement projects:
$1,504,600 toward apron expansion at Fort McMurray Airport.
$167,000 toward replacement of airfield lighting control system at the Edmonton City Centre Airport.
$406,100 toward apron rehabilitation at Medicine Hat Airport.
$3,195,000 toward rehabilitation of Taxiway A at Grande Prairie Airport.
$806,600 toward rehabilitation of Taxiway B at Lethbridge Airport.
"The safety and security of Canadians are Transport Canada's top priorities," added Mr. Cannon. "The funds being provided to make the safety improvements at these airports will help them enhance both their safety and economic potential."
Federal funding for these projects is provided for in the existing financial framework.
Backgrounders on the Airports Capital Assistance Program and the safety improvements at the selected airports are attached.
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Contact:
Gabriela KlimesCommunicationsTransport Canada, Winnipeg(204) 983-3671
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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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 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 Airports Capital Assistance Program is part of the National Airports Policy, which was introduced 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.
March 2006
BACKGROUNDERSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT FIVE ALBERTA AIRPORTS
Fort McMurray Airport is owned and operated by the Fort McMurray Regional Airport Commission. WestJet, Air Canada Jazz, Air Mikisew, Peace Air and Corporate Express all provide year-round, regularly scheduled passenger service. The airport was transferred from Transport Canada on March 31, 1999, under the National Airports Policy. Including today's announcement, the airport has been awarded over $7.9 million in Airports Capital Assistance Program funding since its transfer. Funded projects include the installation of wildlife control fencing, the rehabilitation of the airfield lighting system and airside surfaces, the replacement of heavy equipment, and apron expansion/reconfiguration.
Edmonton City Centre Airport is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton. The airport is a certified facility and provides regularly scheduled passenger service. Including today's announcement, the airport has been awarded approximately $1.2 million in Airports Capital Assistance Program funding. Funded projects include the installation of fibre optic signs and the replacement of airfield lighting control system.
Medicine Hat Airport is owned and operated by the City of Medicine Hat. Central Mountain Air provides year-round, regularly scheduled passenger service. The airport facilities are also used for emergency medial transportation and serves as a base for Canadian Forces Base Suffield. Including today's announcement, the airport has been awarded approximately $3.4 million in Airports Capital Assistance Program funding since its transfer. Funded projects include upgrades to the emergency power unit, the runway overlay, helipad, taxiway and fence; the restoration of taxiways, visual aids and a snowblower; the rehabilitation of the ground-side access road and the air terminal building's roof; the replacement of the aerodrome beacon; and the purchase of a decelerometer.
Grande Prairie Airport is owned by the City of Grand Prairie and operated by the Grande Prairie Airport Commission. Air Canada Jazz, WestJet, and Peace Air all provide year-round, regularly scheduled passenger service. The airport is also used for various other charter, cargo and private operations. The airport was transferred to the City of Grande Prairie from Transport Canada on February 1, 1997, under the National Airports Policy. Including today's announcement, the airport has been awarded almost $10.9 million in Airports Capital Assistance Program funding since its transfer. Funded projects include an upgrade to the approach lighting system; the rehabilitation of the air terminal building's roof; the rehabilitation of runways and taxiway surfaces; the replacement of heavy equipment; upgrades to the approach path indicator system; and the reconfiguration and expansion of the apron.
Lethbridge Airport is owned and operated by the County of Lethbridge. Air Canada Jazz, operated by Central Mountain Air, and Integra Air International both provide year-round, regularly scheduled passenger service. The airport also serves as a base for flight training, charter operations, private and recreational flying, aerial spraying for agricultural applications and aircraft services and refueling operations. The airport was transferred to the County of Lethbridge from Transport Canada on January 1, 1997, under the National Airports Policy. Including today's announcement, the airport has been awarded approximately $7.8 million in Airports Capital Assistance Program funding since its transfer. Funded projects include the rehabilitation of runways, a taxiway and the airport's apron; the rehabilitation of the edge lighting for three taxiways; and an upgrade of the approach lighting system.
March 2006
