News
Gov. of Canada invests in airport safety

Aug. 23, 2011, Prince Rupert, B.C. – The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), and the HonourableJames Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and Regional Minister for British Columbia, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing $762,800 for safety improvements at the Prince Rupert Airport.

Funding is provided under the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) and will be used to repair pavement joints on Runway 13-31 and to purchase a wet/dry chemical spreader. Wet/dry chemical spreaders are used to de-ice or prevent the formation of ice on airside pavement surfaces.

"Our government is committed to the safety and security of all Canadians, and continues to invest in airport safety by assisting regional and local airports with safety-related capital projects," said Minister Fletcher. "We recognize that efficient and safe airports are vital to the local economies of smaller communities. Strengthening the Prince Rupert Airport will create jobs directly and indirectly in this community."

This year, the Government of Canada is investing more than $20.9 million for 27 projects at 23 airports. Improvements include replacing snowblowers and runway sweepers; purchasing runway de-icing and fire-fighting equipment; and rehabilitating runway pavements.

"Canada's regional airports like Prince Rupert's play an important role in our local, national and international economies," said Minister Moore. "This year's ACAP funding is vital to the safety of all those who use this airport, especially the businesses in Northern British Columbia that have come to rely heavily on it."

"The Prince Rupert City Council and residents appreciate the progressive support that the Prince Rupert Airport is receiving from the Government of Canada through Transport Canada," said Jack Mussallem, Mayor of Prince Rupert. "We look forward to having Ministers Fletcher and Moore tour our area airport as well as the port facilities."

"The Prince Rupert Airport Authority is committed to a very high standard of operational safety," said Shane Deinstadt, Vice-President of the Authority. "The ACAP funding from the Government of Canada for the repair of the airport's runway is greatly appreciated. This funding is critical to our continuing ability to provide quality service to air travellers as well as a key piece of the transportation infrastructure supporting the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative."

To date, through ACAP, the Government of Canada has invested a total of $556 million for 678 projects at 171 airports, including today's announcement. Over 99 per cent of these projects were airside safety-related projects such as runways, taxiways and visual aids, as well as heavy airside mobile equipment such as fire trucks and snowplows