No. A004/06
For release March 27, 2006
ST. JOHN'S, NL — The Government of Canada is further enhancing safety at the
Deer Lake and Stephenville airports by funding safety related projects through
the Airports Capital Assistance Program.
This announcement was made today by Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and
Oceans and Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, 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. Hearn. "These safety enhancements will also
help the Deer Lake and Stephenville airports meet the growing travel and tourism
needs in Newfoundland and Labrador."
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.
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 Deer Lake Airport, the safety improvement project provides for the
construction of a dedicated, stand-alone, 169 square metre pre-fabricated steel
building capable of storing 100 tons of bulk sand and 50 tons of urea for use on
all airside areas, including runways, taxiways and aprons. The project includes
site preparation, as well as the purchase and construction of a pre-engineered
building complete with electrical and mechanical services. The Government of
Canada is contributing $160,000 towards this safety improvement project.
At the Stephenville Airport, the safety improvement project also provides for
the construction of a dedicated, stand-alone, 232 square metres pre-fabricated
steel building capable of storing 300 tonnes of bulk sand for use on all airside
areas, including runways, taxiways and aprons. The project includes engineering
services, project management services and site preparation as well as the
purchase and construction of a pre-engineered steel building complete with
electrical and mechanical services. The Government of Canada is contributing
$290,000 towards this safety improvement project.
"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."
The Deer Lake Airport is owned and operated by the Deer Lake Regional Airport
Authority Inc. Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided year-round at
Deer Lake Airport by Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Air Labrador, Provincial
Airlines, and CanJet. The airport facilities are also used for medevac and water
bomber operations. Prince Edward Air and Skylink carry out cargo operations at
Deer Lake Airport. The airport was transferred to the Deer Lake Regional Airport
Authority Inc. from Transport Canada on December 1, 1998 under the National
Airports Policy. Since the transfer, the airport has received approximately $2.5
million from the federal government through the Airports Capital Assistance
Program, including the projects announced today. Some Airports Capital
Assistance Program projects funded previously include apron refurbishment,
perimeter fencing replacement, replacement of airside access gates, main access
road upgrade, and purchase of heavy equipment for runway maintenance and snow
removal.
The Stephenville Airport is owned and operated by the Stephenville Airport
Corporation. Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided year round by
Provincial Airlines. The airport was transferred to the Stephenville Airport
Corporation on February 1, 1998. Since then, the airport has received
approximately $2.5 million from the Government of Canada through the Airport
Capital Assistance Program for eligible projects, including the projects
announced today. Some Airport Capital Assistance Program projects funded in
previous years included the purchase of snow clearing equipment, the purchase of
a new runway sweeper and the restoration of a snowblower attachment.
Funding for these projects is provided for in the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder on the Airports Capital Assistance Program is attached.
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Contact:
Maurice Landry
Communications
Transport Canada
(709) 772-6197
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.
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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
