No. H 046/07
For release April 2, 2007
IQALUIT -- Canada's New Government is investing more than $11.1 million to
enhance safety at airports in Rankin Inlet and Taloyoak, under the Airports
Capital Assistance Program. The safety improvements include the rehabilitation
of airside surfaces at Rankin Inlet Airport ($7,672,170), and the crushing and
rehabilitation of airside surfaces and replacement of airfield electrical
systems at Taloyoak Airport ($3,524,111).
"This Government is committed to improving the safety of air services in
communities across the country," said Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for
Edmonton-Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "These safety enhancements ensure
these airports continue to fulfill their roles as essential transportation links
for these remote, northern 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 not be owned or operated
by the Government of Canada.
Both Rankin Inlet Airport and Taloyoak Airport are owned and operated by the
Government of Nunavut. They provide the only reliable, year-round means of
transportation to and from their communities. Food, fuel and other essential
supplies are shipped to these communities using the services of these airports.
First Air and Calm Air provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service
to Rankin Inlet. Ailak Air, First Air and Kenn Borek Air provide year-round
regularly scheduled passenger service to Taloyoak. Including today's
announcement, Rankin Inlet Airport has received over $8.5 million in Airports
Capital Assistance Program funding since its transfer. Previously funded
projects were for the purchase of heavy equipment. This is the first project at
Taloyoak Airport under the program.
"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.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities,
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Mark Penner
Office of Laurie Hawn, MP
613-992-4524
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, 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.
April 2007
