December 10, 2018 Tofino, British Columbia Transport Canada

Canadians, tourists and businesses benefit from safe and well-maintained airports. From visiting friends and family, to travelling to medical appointments, or getting goods to market, we rely on our local airports to support and sustain vibrant communities. These airports also provide essential air services including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue and forest fire response.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, today announced a $164,800 investment for the purchase of a wet/dry material spreader at the Tofino-Long Beach Airport. The spreader is used to control ice and improve friction on runways for safe aircraft landings during winter conditions. This is in addition to an investment of $5,429,640 announced earlier this year for the rehabilitation of the taxiways and apron at the Airport.

A well maintained runway, taxiway and apron, clear of ice and snow is key to ensuring safe usage by aircraft, passengers, and crews, as well as helping to protect costly airport safety assets such as snow clearing equipment and aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles during airport operations.

The funding comes from Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).