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No. P04/99
For release March 31, 1999
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AGREES TO EXTEND
NEGOTIATION PERIOD
FOR PENTICTON AIRPORT
PENTICTON, B.C. - Transport Minister David Collenette, today agreed to a request
by the Penticton City Council to delay the transfer of Penticton Airport to the City for
six weeks. The delay will give Transport Canada, the City of Penticton and the Penticton
Indian Band additional time to work out a made-in-Penticton agreement within the spirit of
the National Airports Policy.
"Penticton Airport is an important asset for everyone in the South Okanagan,"
said Mr. Collenette. "It is time for all parties to work toward an agreement that
ends the uncertainty surrounding the airport and ensures everyone can benefit from a
locally-operated airport."
Negotiations to transfer Penticton Airport began May 17, 1996 following the signing of
a Letter of Intent by the City of Penticton and Transport Canada. On
September 25, 1998 an agreement was reached to transfer. The official transfer date has
been extended three times in an effort to reach a final agreement with the Penticton
Indian Band on when the airport lands would revert to the Band.
"Our goal is to reach an agreement that gets the operation of the airport into
local hands as soon as possible so the airport can be run by the people who know
its role in the community — and ultimately, provide a boost to trade, tourism
and job creation in the south Okanagan Region," added Mr. Collenette. "We are
disappointed the negotiations have stalled and urge everyone to take this opportunity to
return to the negotiating table and resume working toward that goal."
Transport Canada will continue to operate Penticton airport and ensure the safety
and security of the travelling public at the airport.
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Contact:
Rod Nelson,
Communications, Vancouver
(604) 666-1675
Transport Canada is online at http://www.tc.gc.ca/.
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