Source: Government of Canada

As Canada works towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, investments in our airport infrastructure continue to be crucial to maintain safety, security, and connectivity for travellers, workers, and communities. Government of Canada investments also help ensure Canada’s aviation industry is well positioned to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, and the Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, announced $10.4 million in new funding to help the Edmonton International Airport recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support continued air services and important transportation infrastructure projects at the airport.

The funding, from Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Program, will support investments in:

  • information technology infrastructure, including new hardware, software, network and data facilities, to increase security and better protect the airport from potential cybersecurity and system attacks;
  • the replacement of critical infrastructure to enhance the efficiency and security of airport check-in and boarding; and
  • projects to enable COVID-19 testing and screening at the airport.

This funding is in addition to almost $18.5 million already announced under the Airport Critical Infrastructure Program in July 2021, for infrastructure improvements including upgrades to runways and airfield lighting, as well as $6.2 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Relief Fund to help the airport maintain continued airport operations and essential air services for residents and workers in Edmonton and surrounding communities.

“As we move forward with the safe and gradual return of activity in the aviation sector, in a way that continues to support the health, safety, and security of all Canadians, it will be imperative that we maintain a vibrant and competitive Canadian air sector. These critical investments will allow the Edmonton International Airport to invest in the infrastructure and equipment needed to help re-invigorate the aviation industry and allow Canadians to feel safe and secure when they travel”, said Omar Alghabra, Canadian Minister of Transport.

Fort McMurray International Airport will also get new funding 

The Canadian Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, Randy Boissonnault, on behalf of Minister Alghabra, also announced more than $5 million in new funding to help the Fort McMurray International Airport recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support continued air services and important transportation infrastructure projects at the airport.

“To help ensure safe airport operations for aircraft, passengers and crews, the airport will receive $2.7 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Program to support upgrades to the airfield lighting system and to purchase new snow removal equipment”, said Boissonnault.

In addition to the funding for the critical infrastructure projects, the Government of Canada provided the Fort McMurray International Airport with $2.6 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Relief Fund to help it maintain continued airport operations and essential air services for residents and workers in Fort McMurray and surrounding communities.

The Government of Canada is also announcing funding to support 13 safety-related projects at five local and regional airports in Alberta. This funding, valued at $4.1 million, is being provided through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program.