Each Will Receive Grants For Runway Maintenance Equipment

Canadians, tourists and businesses benefit from safe and well-maintained airports. From visiting friends and family, to travelling to medical appointments, or getting goods to market, we rely on our local airports to support and sustain vibrant communities. These airports also provide essential air services including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue and forest fire response.

Dan Vandal, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface — Saint Vital and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau (pictured), Minister of Transport, has announced Government of Canada investments for safety improvements at five Manitoba airports.

The Brochet Airport, Gods River Airport, Island Lake Airport, and the Little Grand Rapids Airport are each receiving $36,000 (Canadian) to replace a towed, multi-wheeled compactor for use on a gravel runway. Periodic compacting of crushed rock runways is key to ensuring safe usage by aircraft, passengers, and crews, as well as prevent the gravel from loosening. The Flin Flon Airport is receiving $282,900 for the purchase of a loader and attachments which will assist with the removal of snow and ice from runways, taxiways and the apron.

A well maintained runway, taxiway and apron is key to ensuring safe usage by aircraft, passengers, and crews, as well as helping to protect costly airport safety assets such as snow clearing equipment and aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles during airport operations. Funding comes from Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).

"These airports are vital links for residents and businesses in this region. Access is only available by air or winter roads for the communities of Brochet, God's River, Island Lake, and Little Grand Rapids. This investment will help ensure continued safe and reliable airport operations for northern Manitobans, many of whom depend on their local airports not only for personal travel and community resupply, but also for access to routine and emergency medical care in larger centers," said Dan Vandal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface — Saint Vital.

"The Government of Canada recognizes the important role played by Canada's local airports in supporting jobs and access to remote communities, enabling investment and facilitating trade. Our investments are helping airports increase safety and accessibility for residents and travellers, while supporting the continued growth of local and regional economies," said The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport.

(Source: Transport Canada news release)

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca