Government of Canada Investing in Safety at the Nanaimo Airport

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

On Dec. 23, Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, highlighted an investment of $661,384 for the construction of a shelter for the aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle and equipment at the Nanaimo Airport.

Funding is provided through Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) which assists local and regional airport owners with the costs of safety-related equipment and infrastructure improvements. Since the Program's launch in 1995, the Nanaimo Airport has received over $5.3 million for 19 safety projects including the rehabilitation of airfield pavement on runway and taxiways; the purchase of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle; and the purchase of a runway sweeper, snowplow with truck, and a de-icer.

To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $737 million for 849 projects at 179 airports under the ACAP.