For Release
October 13, 2007
Kelowna, British Columbia — Ron Cannan, Member
of Parliament for
Kelowna – Lake Country, today announced on behalf of the Honourable Rona
Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification that
up to $1.35 million is earmarked to expand the Kelowna International Airport.
The expanded airport facility will generate greater access to business opportunities
and a thriving tourism industry in the Central Okanagan region.
“Canada’s New Government is delivering on its commitment
to the City of Kelowna,” said MP Cannan. “Our investment
of $1.35 million for the airport expansion will stimulate the local economy
by bringing additional international flights to the Okanagan, boosting
tourism and other business opportunities.”
Funding for the Kelowna International Airport expansion project is being
delivered by Western Economic Diversification Canada through the federal
Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative.
“Both as the Minister responsible for federal activities to combat
the Mountain Pine Beetle and as a British Columbian, I know full well
the importance the expansion of the Kelowna Airport will have for the
future economic development of this area,” said the Honourable
Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. “That is why we are
making this vital investment.”
Government of Canada's contribution of $1.35 million is contingent upon
the successful completion of a review of the business case including financial
and market viability of the proposed airport expansion, its economic
benefits, and other sources of funding. Steps in the federal due diligence
review include assurances that appropriate consultative processes are
addressed, that the project meets regulatory and environmental requirements,
and confirmation of public and stakeholder support.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is actively working with the
Airport Authority to finalize all steps in the due diligence process,
allowing the Government of Canada’s investment to flow to the Kelowna
Airport project.
The project will extend the north end of the main runway by 1,200 feet
and the south end by 400 feet. The project includes installation of blast
fences at both ends of the runway, and minor upgrades to airside aprons
to accommodate large passenger aircraft. The total project costs are
$8 million. In addition to the federal contribution, the Province of
British Columbia is committing $1.35 million, and the City of Kelowna
is contributing $5.3 million from Airport Improvement Fee revenues collected
from passengers departing Kelowna International Airport.
“This runway expansion is important for the entire Thomson Okanagan
region,” says Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “It will
mean this airport can offer direct intercontinental flights to countries
such as the UK and Germany which will provide more business for the ski
industry, increase tourism in general and be of significant benefit to
the region’s business community.”
British Columbia is experiencing the worst Mountain Pine Beetle infestation
recorded in Canada. Forecasts indicate at the current rate of spread,
50 per cent of mature pine forests in B.C. will be dead by 2008 and 80
per cent by 2013. The City of Kelowna in the Central Okanagan region
is situated within the area affected by the beetle infestation.
In January 2007, Canada’s New Government launched a $200 million
comprehensive response to mitigate the effects of the infestation on
B.C.’s forestry sector. The federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program
is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic
Diversification Canada and Transport Canada. The objectives of the Program
are to: control the spread of the beetle; recover economic value from
infested timber; protect the forest resources and communities; and support
economic diversification and infrastructure in affected communities.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government
of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations
and communities to promote the development and diversification of the
economy of Western Canada.
For more information on the Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications_e.html
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (604) 666-1318
Cel: (604)-505-6616
Louise Girouard
Director of Communications
Minister of Natural Resources
Tel: (613) 996-2007
