OTTAWA, ONTARIO – On behalf of Canada’s Transport Minister Chuck Strahl, M.P. Greg Rickford (Kenora) announced funding that will allow the Nakina Airport to make important safety and infrastructure upgrades.  By providing close to $3,946,939.00, the airport will be able to rehabilitate the runway and taxi, replace edge lights and install a new auxiliary power generator.
 
 “I’m pleased to announce funding for the Nakina Airport that will allow the Nakina Airport to make important safety and infrastructure upgrades, and sustain excellent service to passengers and businesses throughout the community,” said Hon. Chuck Strahl.  “Smaller airports are vital to many communities across the country, which is why the Government of Canada is taking action to invest in these much-needed safety upgrades.”
 
 “Our government is committed to aviation safety in Nakina and across Canada,” said M.P. Greg Rickford. “The Government of Canada is investing in Nakina Airport to ensure that efficient, safe, and affordable systems are in place to serve the Ontarians well into the future.”
 
“I am very pleased that the Nakina Airport will be receiving this funding. The airport is a vital link for isolated northern communities and is an important link for travel to the McFauld’s Lake area, which has great economic potential with the discovery of many minerals that will bring significant economic development opportunities to a number of First Nation communities,” said Michael Gravelle, Ontario’s Provincial Minister of Northern Development Mines and Forestry
 
“The commitment of the Stephen Harper government to Northern Ontario and the development of the economic opportunities arising from the 'Ring of Fire' through the efforts of Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, is amply demonstrated by this contribution of
 $ 3,946,939.00 to the upgrading of the R. Elmer Ruddick Airport in the Community of Nakina in the Municipality of Greenstone. These improvements to the runway and taxiway will allow this airport to be positioned as a major centre for the movement of people and cargo to the First Nation Communities north of Nakina and to the McFaulds Lake area of the largest chromite mining deposit in North America. This initiative, being the biggest grant from ACAP in Northern Ontario, will benefit all of Northwestern Ontario and impact all of Ontario,” said Mayor Michael Power.
 
This year, the Government of Canada will invest more than $42 million in safety-related improvements at airports across Canada. These improvements will be funded in 2010-2011 under the Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).
 
ACAP finances capital projects related to safety, such as rehabilitating runways and taxiways, and purchasing visual aids and heavy airside mobile equipment like fire trucks and snowplows. Since ACAP was first introduced, the Government of Canada has invested a total of $533 million for 650 projects at 170 airports, including today’s announcement. Over 99 per cent of these projects were airside projects.