No. PNR 002/05
For release - October 14, 2005
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Senator Joyce Fairbairn, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, today officiated at a ceremony to mark the completion of a $3,574,174 safety improvement project at Lethbridge County Airport, funded under the Government of Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program.
"The Government of Canada's contribution to improving Lethbridge County Airport's main runway demonstrates its commitment to safety at regional airports," said Senator Fairbairn. "This contribution, together with previous funding, enhances not only safety, but also the continuing viability of the airport."
Funding for the project was announced in April 2005 and involved the rehabilitation of the main runway. Since 1998, under the Airports Capital Assistance Program, the Lethbridge County Airport has received close to $7 million for safety improvement projects at the airport. These improvements will help to ensure that Lethbridge County Airport remains a safe and efficient facility.
The Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) is an integral part of the National Airports Policy, which provides Canadians with a comprehensive framework that clearly defines the Government of Canada's role regarding airports.
Under ACAP, which was established in 1995 and was renewed for five years in January 2005, airports may apply for funding towards capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. To be eligible, airports must have year-round regularly scheduled passenger service, meet Transport Canada airport certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada.
"ACAP is an example of the Government of Canada directing infrastructure resources to where they are most needed and can best enhance safety," said Mr. Lapierre. "This program is just 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."
The Lethbridge County Airport is owned and operated by the County of Lethbridge. It is a certified facility providing regularly scheduled passenger service. The County of Lethbridge took over operation of the airport from the Government of Canada in 1997.
Funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
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Contact:
Susan McLennanCommunications, Winnipeg(204) 983-6315
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BACKGROUNDERAIRPORTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Airports Capital Assistance Program provides funding to eligible airports to finance 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 certification requirements and not be owned by the Government of Canada.
Funding available under the program is set at $190 million, to be allocated from April 2005 to 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 required level of protection.
Second priority projects include safety-related heavy airside mobile equipment, such as runway snow blowers, runway snowplows, runway sweepers, spreaders and decelerometers (winter friction testing devices), and heavy airside mobile equipment shelters.
Third priority projects include safety-related 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.
Priority for funding will also be established by Transport Canada on the basis of a detailed technical analysis of a facility's condition and maintenance history, 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.
Transport Canada's first priority is safety. Through the Airports Capital Assistance Program, the Government of Canada is helping to enhance not only airport safety, but also the economic viability of this important aspect of Canada's transportation infrastructure.
The program is part of the National Airports Policy, which was introduced in July 1994 and 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 2005
