No. PNR 007/07
For release - November 5, 2007

CANADA'S GOVERNMENT IMPROVES SAFETY AT WHITEHORSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

WHITEHORSE – The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the purchase of an on-site aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle, related safety equipment, and modifications to the existing firehall at the Whitehorse International Airport.

"Canada's Government is committed to improving the safety of northern communities and their air services," said Mr. Strahl. "Our investment to enhance safety will ensure the Whitehorse Airport is able to provide travellers with a high degree of protection if ever an emergency, fire or accident occurs."

Canada's Government is providing nearly $1.1 million through the Airports Capital Assistance Program. This program provides funding toward capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. The program also assists airports required by regulation to provide aircraft rescue and firefighting services by funding initial capital costs for vehicles and ongoing vehicle replacement. 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.

Backgrounders on the Airports Capital Assistance Program and safety improvements at the Whitehorse International Airport 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 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 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.

November 2007

BACKGROUNDER

SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT WHITEHORSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Whitehorse International Airport is owned and operated by the Government of the Yukon. Air North, Air Canada Jazz, and First Air all provide year-round regularly scheduled passenger service. The airport facilities are also used for charter company operations. The Whitehorse International Airport is the gateway to the Yukon for national and international air travel and serves as a regional hub for air traffic within the Yukon Territory, northern British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.

Including this project, the Whitehorse International Airport has received a total of more than $1.5 million in Airports Capital Assistance Program funding, since 1995. The Whitehorse Airport has received $456,700 in previous funding for the purchase of heavy equipment and airside signs.

November 2007