Provided by Infrastructure Canada/CNW
THOMPSON, MB, May 23, 2019 /CNW/ – The real and serious consequences of climate change are impacting Canadian communities from coast to coast to coast. Acting now to address these realities is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy and middle class.
Today, Mr. Dan Vandal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced funding for a project to address the impacts of melting permafrost on the Thompson Regional Airport. The airport terminal’s foundation has been severely compromised in recent years with visible signs of sinkage.
The project involves building a new 45,000 ft2 air terminal west of the existing building to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the airport long term. The airport which serves as a gateway to Canada’s North is the third busiest in Manitoba and provides hundreds of jobs in the community. The new facilities will increase the community’s resilience to climate change and contribute to continued economic diversification and growth by reducing the number of residents without essential services by 95%, local economic loses by 71% and by saving more than six dollars in long-term recovery and replacement cost for every dollar invested.
The new terminal will include three gates, security screening, groundside seating baggage carrousel, and 10 check-in counters. Also included in the project are the construction of new taxiways and airside aircraft parking for five aircraft; a new access road; a groundside parking lot with short- and long-term stalls; a water treatment plant; and other utilities.
The Government of Canada is contributing $28 million to this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
Quotes
“By investing in the Air Terminal Building Redevelopment project, we are helping ensure Thompson residents and businesses have modern transportation infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of a changing climate. The project will also create good middle-class jobs and support a strong economy, paving the way for a safe prosperous future for our kids and grandkids.”
Dan Vandal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services on behalf of The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“Extreme weather is becoming more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive because of climate change. By investing in the infrastructure that protects our neighbourhoods, businesses, and families, we are building communities that can withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come.”
The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety
“We’re extremely excited that Ottawa recognizes Thompson for its essential role in northern transportation. A new airport terminal will strengthen our networks, provide new opportunities for services, and ensure that Thompsoncontinues to live up to its role as the Hub of the North.”
Her Worship Colleen Smook, Mayor of Thompson
Quick facts
- The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts.
- DMAF is part of the federal government’s Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.
- Investing in green infrastructure that helps communities cope with the intensifying effects of climate change is an integral part of Canada’s transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy, which is among the commitments made under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
- Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class, is the government’s plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
- With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 proposes a one-time transfer of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.
Associated links
Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/dmaf-faac/index-eng.html
Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/bc-eng.html
Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html
Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/home-accueil-en.html
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada