No. H 042/07
For release April 2, 2007
WINNIPEG -- Canada's New Government is investing over $5 million to enhance
safety at airports in Flin Flon, Shamattawa and Gillam under the Airports
Capital Assistance Program.
"This Government is committed to improving the safety of air services in
communities across the country," said James Bezan, Member of Parliament for
Selkirk-Interlake, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "The safety enhancements will also
help these airports meet the growing cargo, tourism and travel needs in northern
Manitoba."
The safety improvements include the rehabilitation of airside pavement and the
airside electrical system at Flin Flon Airport ($3,696,211), the installation of
a precision approach path indicator system at Shamattawa Airport ($331,768) and
airfield electrical system rehabilitation at Gillam Airport ($1,263,627).
"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 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, they must meet
Transport Canada airport certification requirements and they cannot be owned or
operated by the Government of Canada.
Flin Flon Airport is owned and operated by the City of Flin Flon. The airport
provides a vital link to the thriving mining community of Flin Flon. The airport
serves both private and charter operations, and is also a tanker base for water
bombers. Calm Air and Bearskin Airlines both provide year-round regularly
scheduled passenger service. Including today's announcement, the airport has
received over $4.3 million in Airports Capital Assistance Program funding since
its transfer. Previously funded projects include the purchase of heavy equipment
and an upgrade of the airfield lighting system.
Shamattawa Airport is owned and operated by the Province of Manitoba. Perimeter
Airlines and Calm Air provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service.
Including today's announcement, the airport has received over $800,000 in
Airports Capital Assistance Program funding. Previously
funded projects include the installation of a lighted beacon and the purchase of
heavy equipment.
Gillam Airport is owned and operated by the Town of Gillam. The airport provides
a vital air link for the relatively remote town of Gillam. Calm Air provides
year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. Today's announced $1,263,627
funding will cover the cost of the airfield electrical system rehabilitation. In
total, the airport has received over $2.8 million in Airports Capital Assistance
Program funding since its transfer. Previously funded projects include the
production and stockpiling of base material for annual resurfacing and future
rehabilitation of airside surfaces, and the purchase of heavy equipment.
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
Lisa Hutniak
Communications and Policy Assistant
Office of James Bezan, MP
204-785-6152
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 or operated 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, 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
