The Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra on September 8 announced that the Government of Canada is making safety investments at the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport.

Through Transport Canada’s Airports Capital Assistance Program, the Government of Canada is providing the Southwestern Ontario airport with $370,000 for the purchase of a sweeper, used to keep runways and taxiways clear of ice and snow.

The government explains this funding will help ensure continued safe and reliable airport operations for residents, many of whom depend on their local airport for personal and business travel, as well as for access to routine and emergency medical care in larger centres.

“Our country’s airports help keep our supply chains moving and our communities connected from coast to coast to coast,” said Alghabra. “With this funding for Sarnia’s Chris Hadfield Airport, communities in and around Sarnia will have better access to safe and reliable air transportation. Investments like these in our local airports will help us deliver on our commitment to build safer, healthier, and stronger communities for everyone.”

As announced in the Fall Economic Statement 2020, the Airports Capital Assistance Program received a one-time funding top-up of $186 million over two years.

The Fall Economic Statement 2020 also announced the temporary expansion of eligibility for the Airports Capital Assistance Program to allow National Airports System airports with less than one million annual passengers in 2019 to apply for funding under the Program in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

(Photo: Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport)