RED LAKE, Ontario - Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced today funding that will allow the Red Lake airport to make important safety upgrades.  The Federal Government will provide $504,566.52 to the airport to install wildlife control fencing thereby enhancing safety for passengers, crew and employees.

“Our government is committed to aviation safety in Red Lake and across Canada,” said MP Rickford.  Our government is investing in the Red Lake airport to ensure that efficient, safe and affordable systems are in place to serve the people of Northwestern Ontario well into the future.”

This year the Government of Canada will invest more than $20.9 million in safety-related improvements at airports across Canada.  These improvements will be funded in fiscal year 2011-2012 under the Airports 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.  ACAP is funding $20.9 million for 27 projects at 23 airports in 2011-2012 on a national basis.  Since ACAP was first introduced, the Government of Canada has invested a total of $556 million in 678 projects at 171 airports, including today’s announcement.

This commitment builds on March 25^th’s $500,000 FedNor investment which will support the Municipality of Red Lake’s efforts to expand and enhance parking at its airport in Balmertown, and extend a service road through the airport business park, paving the way for future growth.

For additional information on the ACAP Program please visit Transport Canada website: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/airports-acap-menu-327.htm