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 Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, 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.
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.
