Government of Canada invests in airport safety at the Region of Waterloo International Airport

photo credit: FlyYKF - via Flickr

WATERLOO, Ontario, August 3, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing more than $3.2 million in improvements to the Region of Waterloo International Airport. Under the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP), the money will be used to partially rehabilitate the pavement on Runway 08-26.

"The Government of Canada is committed to the safety and security of all Canadians," said Minister Lebel. "We recognize that efficient and safe airports are vital to the local economies of smaller communities, which is why we are investing in safety improvement projects at regional and local airports across the country."

This year, the Government of Canada is investing more than $20.9 million for 27 projects at 23 airports. Improvements include replacing snowblowers and runway sweepers; purchasing runway de-icing and fire-fighting equipment; and rehabilitating runway pavements.

"The Region of Waterloo is committed to high standards for the Region of Waterloo International Airport," said Ken Seiling, regional chair. "The ACAP funding from the Government of Canada for the partial rehabilitation of Runway 08-26 is greatly appreciated and supports our culture of safety at the airport."

"Waterloo International Airport, or YKF as my luggage is tagged, plays a vital role in our local economy," said Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga. "These runway improvements are vital to continuing safe, predictable flights at the Region of Waterloo International Airport. Our government is committed to supporting smaller regional airports across Canada and the businesses that have come to rely heavily on them."

To date, through ACAP, the Government of Canada has invested a total of $556 million for 678 projects at 171 airports, including today's announcement. Over 99 per cent of these projects were airside safety-related projects such as runways, taxiways and visual aids, as well as heavy airside mobile equipment such as fire trucks and snowplows.