Governments of Canada and Nunavut working together to transform Iqaluit Airport through P3 to improve safety and services, and to create jobs and economic growth
On behalf of the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, today announced the Harper Government’s support through a public-private partnership (P3) to support the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project with Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak and Nunavut Economic Development & Transportation Minister Peter Taptuna.
“As Nunavut continues to grow, the Iqaluit International Airport will play an important role in supporting our local economy, promoting trade and connecting us as a nation,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “By investing in this project, the Government of Canada and Nunavut can leverage public funds with private sector support and expertise. This is a big gain for Nunavut’s transportation hub and especially for taxpayers.”
The Harper Government will contribute up to $77.3 million through the P3 Canada Fund to the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project. The project includes a new airport terminal building, expanded aprons for planes to park, new lighting systems, an upgraded runway, and a new combined services building that will house the fire-fighting vehicles, support equipment and the heavy equipment that maintain the runways. The project will mean significant job creation, as well as training and economic development opportunities for Iqaluit and Nunavut as a whole.
“Infrastructure development, jobs and the building of Nunavut’s economy all go hand in hand,” said Premier Aariak. “Nunavut needs a sustained effort at building this kind of strategic infrastructure to unleash our economic potential and enable Nunavummiut to contribute to the wealth of all Canadians. New partnerships involving the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut and the private sector are the key to building our infrastructure and completing the map of Canada from coast to coast to coast.”
“Airports provide a vital transportation link in Nunavut as the only way to safely and reliably move people and goods year round between the south and the north and between our northern communities,” said Minister Taptuna. “We welcome the Government of Canada’s investment in the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project, which will be an important enhancement to Nunavut’s transportation system.”
The project will have numerous social and economic benefits for the City of Iqaluit and Nunavut. It will support the objectives of the Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti (NNI) Policy by: providing Inuit employment, education and training; improving the safety and services of the airport; improving transportation between northern communities; and facilitating the development of mineral resources in Nunavut to create more business and investment opportunities.
A private partner will be chosen by the Government of Nunavut through a competitive selection process to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the facility through a long-term agreement. The Request for Qualifications phase closed on August 15, 2012. A Request for Proposals is expected to be issued to the three most qualified proponents in October 2012.
For more information on the Iqaluit International Airport Improvement Project, please visit the website.
The P3 Canada Fund is a merit-based program with the objective of supporting P3 infrastructure projects that achieve value for Canadians, develop the Canadian P3 market and generate significant public benefits. PPP Canada was established by the Government of Canada to improve the delivery of public infrastructure by achieving better value, timeliness and accountability to taxpayers, through public-private partnerships.
For information on PPP Canada and the Government of Canada’s P3 Canada Fund investments, visit the PPP Canada website.
For further information, media may contact:
Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance
613-996-7861
Jack Aubry
Media Relations
Department of Finance
613-996-8080
Matthew Illaszewicz
Manager, Communications
Economic Development & Transportation
Government of Nunavut
867-975-7818
miIlaszewicz@gov.nu.ca
PPP Canada Media Inquiries: media@p3canada.ca or
613-947-9480/1-877-947-9480
