Government of Canada invests in Thompson Airport upgrades
THOMPSON, MB, Aug. 11 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of Canada's Transport Minister Chuck Strahl, was joined by Curtis Ross, CEO of the Thompson Airport Authority, to announce funding to make important safety and infrastructure upgrades, including the rehabilitation of portions of the runway.
"It's a pleasure to be in Thompson today, joined by my fellow Manitoba caucus members, to announce this investment that will ensure the aviation safety systems that Manitobans deserve are in place," said Minister Toews. "Smaller airports are vital to many communities across the country, which is why the Government of Canada is taking action to make these much-needed safety upgrades."
The Thompson Regional Airport Authority also extended their thanks to Minister Toews for acknowledging the importance of their regional airport as well as regional airports across Canada.
"We are pleased to be receiving this much needed infrastructure funding for airside development. As our airport is the hub for many outlying communities whose only 100% reliable source of transportation is air service, it will go a long way towards helping them as well. These dollars will help sustain the economic viability of our airport and, even though they are directed towards airside development and safety, will assist us towards the planning of a new Air Terminal Building. As the current Chairperson of the Regional Community Airports Coalition of Canada, I am pleased with the present Governments continued support of the ACAP program," said Curtis Ross, Chief Executive Officer of the Thompson Regional Airport Authority.
This year, the Government of Canada will invest more than $42 million in safety-related improvements at airports across Canada. The Thompson airport is receiving $8,670,350.00. These improvements will be funded in 2010-2011 under the Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).
ACAP finances capital projects related to safety, such as rehabilitating runways and taxiways, and purchasing visual aids and heavy airside mobile equipment like fire trucks and snowplows. Since ACAP was first introduced, the Government of Canada has invested a total of $535 million for 651 projects at 170 airports, including today's announcement.
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