No. H 041/07
For release April 02, 2007
EDMONTON -- Canada's New Government is investing over $200,000 to enhance
safety at Fort Chipewyan Airport, under the Airports Capital Assistance Program.
"This Government is committed to improving the safety of air services in
communities across the country," said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Member of
Parliament for Calgary Centre-North and Regional Minister for Alberta, on behalf
of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities. "This safety equipment will also help meet the growing cargo,
industry and travel needs in northern Alberta."
The Airports Capital Assistance Program finances 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 or operated by the
Government of Canada.
Fort Chipewyan Airport is owned and operated by the Municipality of Wood
Buffalo. Air Mikisew provides year-round, regularly scheduled passenger service.
The safety improvement involves the purchase of a runway sweeper. Including
today's announcement of nearly $202,000, the airport has received more than $3.8
million under the Airports Capital Assistance Program. Previously funded
projects include the rehabilitation of airfield pavement and lighting, and the
purchase of heavy equipment.
"The safety and security of the traveling public is a top priority for Canada's
New Government," said Minister Cannon. "These projects will improve airport
safety and protect Canadians. They will also boost the economic potential of the
airports and surrounding communities."
A backgrounder on the Airports Capital Assistance Program is attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
819-997-0002
Susan McLennan
Communications
Transport Canada, Winnipeg
204-983-6315
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 for 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.
The current five-year program will allocate $190 million by 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
level of protection required by regulation.
Second priority projects include heavy 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.
Transport Canada also sets priorities based on detailed technical analyses of
facility conditions and maintenance histories, 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.
Through the Airports Capital Assistance Program, the Government of Canada is
improving airport safety, as well as helping 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 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.
April 2007
