Subjects: ECO, CFG
The Government of Canada invests in transportation infrastructure at the Charlottetown Airport in Prince Edward Island
CHARLOTTETOWN, May 25, 2018 /CNW/ - The quality of Canada's transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of the country's trade corridors are key to the success of Canadian firms in the global marketplace. The Government of Canada supports infrastructure projects that create quality middle-class jobs and boost economic growth.
Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced a major investment of $8.1 million for a project that will improve airport infrastructure and help businesses compete by moving local goods to market.
The project consists of the rehabilitation of Charlottetown Airport's main Runway 03-21 and connecting taxiways. Major components of the work include grading and drainage improvements, replacement of storm water collection infrastructure, and rehabilitation and reconstruction of the pavement structure. This project is expected to have significant economic and employment benefits by creating an estimated 180 jobs during construction.
The Government of Canada is supporting infrastructure projects that contribute most to Canada's continued success in international trade. For example, projects being funded will:
- support economic activity and the physical movement of goods or people in Canada;
- help the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and make sure it is able to support new technologies and innovation;
- address transportation bottlenecks and congestion along Canada's trade corridors; and
- increase the fluidity of Canadian trade around the world through our ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, bridges and border crossings.
Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, federal Crown Corporations, Canadian Port Authorities, and National Airport System Airport Authorities are all eligible for funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund.
Quote
"Transportation systems are a vital part of the Prince Edward Island economy and the investment announced here today will foster long-term prosperity in all corners of the province. These improvements at the Charlottetown Airport will give Islanders more transportation options while helping businesses get more products to market.
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan
"Our government is investing in Canada's economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada's transportation networks remain competitive and efficient."
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
"I am pleased to see this project going ahead. The Charlottetown airport is an important economic generator for our province and upgrading its critical infrastructure will ensure it keeps serving our community for generations to come."
Sean Casey
Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
Quick Facts
- This project will strengthen the safety and sustainability of the Charlottetown Airport which is part of the National Airports System. The 26 airports in the National Airports System serve about 95 per cent of all scheduled passenger and cargo traffic in Canada, and handle almost all of Canada's international trade flows by air.
- Transportation is an important element of Canada's trade with other countries. In 2017, total international merchandise trade amounted to $1.1 trillion. The United States continued to be Canada's top trade partner, with $703 billion in trade ($415 billion exported, $288 billion imported), accounting for 63.5 per cent of total Canadian trade in 2017.
- The Government of Canada places a strong emphasis on exports because of the connection between trade and good, well-paying jobs, as industries that are export-intensive pay wages that are, on average, more than 50 per cent higher than industries that are not.
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Backgrounder
National Trade Corridors Fund
The $2 billion National Trade Corridors Fund is one component of the $180 billion Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada's strategy for addressing long-term infrastructure needs in Canada and supporting middle-class growth and well-paying jobs. The quality of Canada's transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of the country's trade corridors is key to the success of Canadian firms in the global marketplace.
The Government of Canada is providing support for well-functioning trade corridors that will allow Canadians to compete in key global markets and trade more efficiently with international partners. It represents a long-term commitment by the Government of Canada to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects that help to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities and congestion along Canada's trade corridors.
The National Trade Corridors Fund is also a key element of Transportation 2030, the Minister of Transport's strategic plan for the future of transportation. The development of this vision, including the National Trade Corridors Fund, has been informed by extensive engagement with Canadians from coast to coast to coast, along with insights contained in the 2015 Canada Transportation Act Review report.
The National Trade Corridors Fund is a merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical assets that support economic activity and the physical movement of commercial goods and people in Canada.
A total of $2 billion over 11 years has been allocated for the National Trade Corridors Fund, including up to $400 million in dedicated funding for Northern territorial transportation infrastructure.
Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, federal Crown Corporations, Canadian Port Authorities, and National Airport System Airport Authorities were invited to submit proposals to Transport Canada which were then evaluated against the eligibility criteria for the program.
Types of projects that meet the eligibility criteria include, for example, ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, international bridges and border crossings ? assets that are the primary building blocks of the supply chains that enable the physical exchange of goods around the world and also support the critical movement of people and goods in Canada's Northern territories.
In addition to the $2 billion of investments under the National Trade Corridors Fund, the Canada Infrastructure Bank will invest at least an additional $5 billion to address trade and transportation projects.
For more information about the National Trade Corridors Fund please visit: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/national-trade-corridors-fund.html.
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SOURCE Transport Canada
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