Federal Government Invests Nearly $5-Million in Local Airports

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

OTTAWA – Two Airports in Prince George-Peace River will receive close to $5-million for new equipment and a project to enhance safety. The Honourable Jay Hill, MP for Prince George-Peace River, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

The Fort Nelson Airport will receive $166,100 to cover the cost of a snowplow truck and the Fort St. John Airport will receive $4,793,800 to cover the cost of taxiway apron rehabilitation and edgelighting. The funding is allocated under the Government of Canada’s 2008-2009 Airports Capital Assistance Program.

“This funding will go a long way towards enhancing safety at these two northern airports,” said Mr. Hill. “Our communities and passengers will be better served.”

The Airports Capital Assistance Program finances capital projects related to safety, asset protection and operating cost reduction. Eligible airports must have year-round regularly scheduled passenger service, they must meet Transport Canada airport certification requirements, and they cannot be owned or operated by the Government of Canada.

This latest investment follows a further $811,819 in funding that the federal government directed towards the Fort St. John airport in the past two years. That money was used to replace regulators and automatic gates and to purchase a new self-propelled snowblower. The Dawson Creek airport also received $280,670 under the program in 2006 for a sand storage building.

“This is a clear demonstration of our Conservative Government’s commitment to investing in hard infrastructure projects,” said Hill. “It also signals our recognition that airports are vital to daily life and the economic development of northern communities.”