No. P01/99
For release January 15, 1999

SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT PRINCE RUPERT AIRPORT

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. — Lou Sekora, MP (Port Moody - Coquitlam), on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced federal funding of $164,900 for a safety improvement project at Prince Rupert Airport under the federal government’s Airports Capital Assistance Program.

"Safety is Transport Canada’s top priority," said Mr. Sekora. "With today’s contribution towards Prince Rupert Airport, the federal government is helping to enhance not only safety, but also the economic potential of the region’s transportation infrastructure."

The project involves the purchase of a runway sweeper. This improvement will help to ensure that Prince Rupert Airport remains a safe and efficient facility.

The Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) is part of the National Airports Policy, which was announced in July 1994. Under ACAP, which officially began April 1, 1995, 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 federal government.

"ACAP is an example of the federal government directing infrastructure resources to where they are needed and can best enhance safety," said Mr. Collenette. "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."

Prince Rupert Airport is owned and operated by the Prince Rupert Airport Society. Regularly scheduled passenger service is provided at the airport, which has handled, on average, over 95,000 passengers annually for the past three years. Both Canadian Regional Airlines and AirBC fly direct scheduled flights from Vancouver International Airport to Prince Rupert, the gateway to B.C.’s north coast.

Funding for this project was provided for in the federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how the federal government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.

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Contact:

Rod Nelson
Communications, Vancouver
(604) 666-1675

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