OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 26, 2022 /CNW/ – The last two years have underscored the crucial role airports play in supporting essential air services. By ensuring community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue, and forest fire response, airports contribute to keeping Canadians safe and connected from coast to coast to coast. Canadians rely on safe and well-maintained local and regional airports to support vibrant communities.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced that the Government of Canada is making important safety investments at local and regional airports in Manitoba.
Through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program, 15 airports in Manitoba will receive over $5.1 million from the Government of Canada for projects and equipment that will help maintain safe airport operations for passengers, crews, and airport workers. The airports receiving funding are:
Berens River
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Bloodvein River
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
- to install wildlife control fencing – $940,655
Flin Flon
- to purchase runway friction tester – $6,420
- to purchase a grader – $438,000
- to replace runway approach lighting – $90,329
Gods Lake Narrows
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
- to purchase a loader mounted snow blower – $210,000
Norway House
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Oxford House
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Pukatawagan
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Red Sucker Lake
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
South Indian Lake
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
St. Andrews
- to purchase a sweeper – $395,200
St. Theresa Point
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
Tadoule Lake
- to purchase a compactor (tow behind) – $50,000
- to install wildlife control fencing – $1,029,573
The Pas/Grace Lake
- to purchase a loader mounted snow blower – $234,000
Thompson
- to purchase a snowplow – $358,960
York Landing
- to install wildlife control fencing – $926,610
The equipment will be used in maintaining aircraft movement surfaces and the removal and control of ice and snow from airside surfaces such as runways, taxiways and the apron. For airports with a gravel runway, a compactor is used to compress the gravel on the runway, creating a stable surface for safe landing and takeoff operations. The wildlife fencing will keep large mammals away from secure airfield areas.
This funding is in addition to the more than $20.8 million provided under the Program in 2021 to support safety-related projects at the Flin Flon, Gods Lake Narrows, Lac Brochet, Red Sucker Lake, Shamattawa, and Thompson airports.
Quotes
“Airports play a crucial role in keeping Canadians connected across our vast country, and the last two years have only underscored this. Today’s investment of over $5.1 million for 15 airports across Manitoba is great news for the region’s air sector and for the communities these airports serve. Investments like these will ensure that our air sector comes out strong as we enter post-pandemic recovery, and help us keep our commitment to building safer, stronger communities.”
The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
“Our regional airports here in Manitoba keep communities connected and ensure vital supply chains are maintained. The new equipment being used will ensure our airports are safe for travelers, staff, air crew and residents. Our government will continue to be there to support operations at local and regional airports with these important investments, creating economic opportunity, connecting families and friends, and improving the quality of life for all Manitobans.“
The Honourable Daniel Vandal
Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Quick Facts
- As announced in the Fall Economic Statement 2020, the Airports Capital Assistance Program received a one-time funding top-up of $186 million over two years.
- The Fall Economic Statement 2020 also announced the temporary expansion of eligibility for the Airports Capital Assistance Program to allow National Airports System airports with less than one million annual passengers in 2019 to apply for funding under the Program in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.
- Since the Airports Capital Assistance Program started in 1995, the Government of Canada has invested over $1.2 billion for 1,215 projects at 199 local, regional and National Airports System airports across the country. Funded projects include runway and taxiway repairs/rehabilitation, lighting enhancements, purchasing snow clearing equipment and firefighting vehicles as well as installing wildlife control fencing.
Associated Link
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.