No. H008/06
For release March 27, 2006

PROJECTS ANNOUNCED FOR 
AIRPORTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

OTTAWA — Airports across Canada will receive more than $27 million to fund 41 new projects to enhance their safety.

Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities today announced this funding under the Government of Canada’s 2006-07 Airports Capital Assistance Program.

“Safety and security are Transport Canada’s top priorities,” said Mr. Cannon. “These projects will further enhance the safety of Canadians and the economic potential of the airports.”

Established in 1995 and renewed for five years in April 2005, the Airports Capital Assistance Program helps eligible airports by financing capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. In order to be eligible for funding consideration, an airport must have year round, regularly scheduled passenger service, meet Transport Canada airport certification requirements and not be owned or operated by the Government of Canada.

The program 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.

Since April 1, 1995, funding from the program totals more than $379 million for 480 projects at 154 airports. Over 99 per cent of these were airside safety-related projects such as the rehabilitation of runways, taxiways, visual aids and heavy airside mobile equipment.

Federal funding for these projects is provided for in the existing financial framework.

Backgrounders on the Airports Capital Assistance Program and the selected projects are attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

AIRPORTS 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 airport 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 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 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 Airports Capital Assistance 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.

March 2006

BACKGROUNDER

ALLOCATION FOR 2006-2007 FOR
AIRPORTS CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROJECTS

March 2006