No. A005/06
For release March 27, 2006
HALIFAX, NS — The Government of Canada is further enhancing safety at the
Sydney Airport by funding safety related projects under the Airports Capital
Assistance Program.
This announcement was made today by Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
"Today's announcement contributes to the safety of air services and supports the
commitments made by the Government of Canada towards the well-being of regional
and rural communities," said Mr. MacKay. "These safety enhancements will also
help the Sydney Airport meet the growing travel and tourism needs in Nova
Scotia."
The Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) 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. Since the Sydney Airport was transferred in 1997, it has received
approximately $9 million in ACAP funding from the federal government, including
the projects announced today.
Under the program, which was established in 1995 and renewed for five years on
April 1, 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.
At the Sydney airport, the safety improvement projects include the replacement
of 30 selected concrete panels of the aircraft parking apron, and the
replacement of wind direction indicator towers that have reached the end of
their useful life. The public washrooms will also be upgraded to ensure barrier
free access for persons with disabilities. The Government of Canada is
contributing $290,500 toward these safety improvement projects, which represents
90 percent of their cost.
"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
this airport will help to enhance both its safety and economic potential."
Sydney Airport is owned and operated by the Sydney Airport Authority. Air Canada
Jazz provides regularly scheduled passenger service year-round. Air St. Pierre
provides seasonal service during peak summer periods. Prince Edward Air also
operates a daily cargo service on behalf of Sameday Courier.
Funding for this project is provided for in the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder on the Airports Capital Assistance Program is attached.
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Contact:
Steve Bone
Area Manager, Communications
Transport Canada
(902) 426-7795
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
BACKGROUNDER
AIRPORTS 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
