No. H 040/07
For release April 2, 2007
ABBOTSFORD -- Six British Columbia airports will share close to $5 million for projects to
enhance their safety in 2007-2008. Ed Fast, Member of Parliament for Abbotsford, today
announced this funding under the Government of Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program, on behalf
of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
"This funding of $5 million will improve the safety and service capacity of
British Columbia airports, and makes an important investment in our growing tourism, travel and
delivery industries," said Mr. Fast. "This contribution provides concrete proof of the
commitment of this government to the safety of Canadians and the economic strength of our
communities."
The Airports Capital Assistance Program finances capital projects related to safety, asset protection
and operating cost reduction. Eligible airports must have year-round, regularly scheduled passenger
service, they must meet Transport Canada airport certification requirements and they cannot be owned or
operated by the Government of Canada.
"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."
The money will be distributed to airports in:
Abbotsford, where $2,082,925 will cover the purchase of two airport fire-fighting vehicles.
Fort St. John, where $338,319 will cover 90 per cent of the total estimated cost of $375,910
to replace regulators and automatic gates.
Nanaimo, where $112,036 will cover 85 per cent of the total estimated cost of $131,807 for a
snowplow truck.
Prince Rupert, where $1,903,892 will pay for over 80 per cent of the total estimated cost for
airfield electrical systems restoration.
Smithers, where $91,343 will cover 95 per cent of the total estimated cost of $96,150 for the
purchase of a dry/liquid spreader.
Williams Lake, where $204,731 will replace airfield cables and its lighting control
system.
Backgrounders on the Airports Capital Assistance Program and the selected
British Columbia projects are attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Rod Nelson
Communications
Transport Canada, Vancouver
604-666-1675
Anju Gill
Executive Assistant to Ed Fast, MP
604-557-7888
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
(ACAP) FUNDS SIX NEW PROJECTS IN
BRITISH COLUMBIA
The Abbotsford Airport is the second largest airport in British Columbia's
lower mainland. Home to Skyways Air Services and Conair Aviation since the 1960's, it became a
passenger airport with daily scheduled flights in 2000. It is growing in popularity as host to the
Abbotsford International Air Show and as an alternative to the Vancouver International Airport; this
airport is in full economic expansion. The $2,082,925
ACAP funding announced today will pay for
two fire-fighting vehicles for Canada's sixth busiest airport.
The Fort St. John Airport has served British Columbia's largest farming
area since 1940. It was taken over by Canada's Department of Transport in 1941, and became the
property of the North Peace Airport Society in 1997. The $375,000 of
ACAP funding announced today will cover
90 per cent of the cost of replacing the airport's regulators and automatic gates.
The Nanaimo Airport is the primary air gateway for Central Vancouver Island. Last
year's ACAP award paid for 90 per cent
of an important runway resurfacing project. Today's $112,036 announcement means that
ACAP will finance 85 per cent of the cost
of a snowplow truck. This essential equipment will help keep service for the airport's growing air
traffic safe and efficient.
The Prince Rupert Airport is a transportation hub for Northern
British Columbia, located on Digby Island. Today's announced
ACAP funding of $1,903,892 will help
restore the airfield's electrical systems ensuring continued safety and security to the daily
flights that carry cargo, mail and travellers to and from Northern British Columbia.
The Smithers Airport, owned and operated by the Town of Smithers, is a key economic
player in the region's mining, exploration, energy development and tourism sectors. The airport and
its tenants represent the fourth largest employer in the area and generate an estimated $18 million
in revenue each year. The $91,343 ACAP
funding announced today will cover 95 per cent of the purchase of a dry/liquid spreader for runway and
taxi surface maintenance.
The Williams Lake Regional Airport has been serving the Cariboo District of the
central interior of British Columbia since 1956. Ownership of the airport was transferred from
Transport Canada to the city of Williams Lake in 1997. The $204,731
ACAP funding announced today will pay
100 per cent of costs related to replacing airfield cables and the lighting control system.
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 heavy air terminal building and
groundside projects, such as sprinkler systems, asbestos removal and barrier-free access.
Fourth priority projects include asset protection and refurbishing, and 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.
