No. P006/03For release - April 24, 2003
VANCOUVER — Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal and MP (Vancouver South-Burnaby), on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced federal funding of $6,091,200 for airport improvement projects at seven airports in B.C. under the Government of Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).
"Safety and security are Transport Canada's top priorities," said Minister Dhaliwal. "With today's contribution to seven B.C. airports for airport improvement projects, the Government of Canada is helping to improve safety and security, as well as enhancing the economic potential of British Columbia's transportation infrastructure."
The airport improvement projects announced today include:
Repave Dawson Creek airport's runway, taxiway and aircraft parking aprons and restore the airport's concrete apron and runway buttons ($1,923,700);
Repave Fort Nelson airport's main runway and taxiway alpha, replace the airport's runway decelerometer (winter friction testing device) and restore the airport's concrete apron and runway buttons ($2,640,900);
New airside signs at Fort St. John airport: ($177,000);
Repave portions of Nanaimo airport's apron ($204,700);
Upgrade Quesnel airport's security gates and purchase a runway sweeper ($211,000);
Purchase a runway sweeper for Smithers airport ($177,700); and
Repave Terrace airport's primary taxiway ($756,200)
ACAP is part of the National Airports Policy, which was announced in July 1994. Under ACAP, which officially began April 1, 1995 and was renewed in June 2000, airports may apply for funding towards capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, they must receive regularly scheduled passenger service, meet airport certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada.
Since 1995, the Government of Canada has announced a total of $41.7 million for safety improvement projects, under ACAP funding, at 20 airports in B.C.
"The Airports Capital Assistance Program is one way the government, through the National Airports Policy, seeks to ensure a safe, efficient and affordable airports system to serve Canadians well into the future," said Minister Collenette.
ACAP is an example of the Government of Canada directing infrastructure resources to where they are most needed and can best enhance safety and security. "
Funding for the initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget.
A backgrounder on the seven airports receiving ACAP funding is attached.
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Contact:
Rod NelsonCommunications, Vancouver(604) 666-1675
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BACKGROUNDER
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT SEVEN B.C. AIRPORTS
Dawson Creek Airport is owned and operated by the City of Dawson Creek. Central Mountain Air provides regularly scheduled passenger service to the airport. More than 18,000 passengers a year fly in or out of the Dawson Creek Airport. The airport was transferred to the City of Dawson Creek on September 1, 1995 and was the first airport in British Columbia to be transferred by Transport Canada under the National Airports Policy. Since its transfer, the airport has been awarded over $5.4 million in federal ACAP funding for a heavy-duty airside vehicle and snow blower attachment, wildlife control fencing, airfield electrical improvements and the project announced today.
The Fort Nelson airport is owned and operated by the Northern Rockies Regional District. Air Canada Jazz and Peace Air Airlines provide regularly scheduled passenger service to the airport. More than 15,000 passengers a year fly in or out of the Fort Nelson Airport. The airport was transferred to the Northern Rockies Regional District by Transport Canada on March 31, 1999. Since its transfer, the airport has been awarded over $3.0 million in federal ACAP funding for a snowplow, a runway sweeper and the projects announced today.
Fort St. John Airport is owned by the North Peace Airport Society and is operated under contract by North Peace Airport Services Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Vancouver International Airport Authority. Peace Air, Central Mountain Air and Air Canada Jazz provide regularly scheduled passenger service to the airport. More than 85,000 passengers a year fly in or out of the Fort St. John Airport. The ownership of the airport was transferred from Transport Canada to the Airport Society on March 18, 1997. Since its transfer, the airport has been awarded over $2.1 million in federal ACAP funding for runway repaving, precision approach landing systems, runway sweepers and the project announced today.
Nanaimo Airport is owned and operated by the Nanaimo Airport Commission. Air Canada Jazz and Canadian Western Airlines provide regularly scheduled passenger service at the airport. More than 130,000 passengers a year fly in or out of the Nanaimo Airport. The airport was transferred by Transport Canada to the Nanaimo Airport Commission on December 3, 1996. Since its transfer, the airport has been awarded over $2.4 million in federal ACAP funding for airside repaving, wildlife control fencing, electrical improvements, airside signs, security gates and the project announced today.
Quesnel airport is owned and operated by the City of Quesnel. Air Canada Jazz provides regularly scheduled passenger service. More than 18,000 passengers a year fly in or out of the Quesnel Airport. The airport was transferred from Transport Canada to the City of Quesnel on March 26, 1997. Since its transfer, the airport has been awarded over $2.2 million in federal ACAP for runway repaving, airfield lighting improvements and the projects announced today.
Smithers Airport is owned and operated by the Town of Smithers. Air Canada Jazz, Central Mountain Air, Northern Lights Air, and Hawkair Aviation provide regularly scheduled passenger service at the airport. More than 48,000 passengers a year fly in or out of the Smithers Airport. The airport was transferred by Transport Canada to the Town of Smithers on March 31, 1999. Since its transfer, the airport has been awarded over $3.5 million in federal ACAP funding for apron and taxiway repaving, a snowplow, a snow blower, airside lighting improvements and the project announced today.
Terrace-Kitimat Airport is owned and operated by the Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society. Both Air Canada Jazz and Hawkair Aviation provide regularly scheduled passenger service. Over 81,000 passengers a year fly in or out of the Terrace-Kitimat Airport. The airport was transferred from Transport Canada to the Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society on March 31, 1999. Since its transfer, the airport has been awarded over $5.9 million in federal ACAP funding for runway sweepers, a snow blower, airside lighting improvements, runway and apron repaving and the project announced today.
