The Government of Canada invests in transportation infrastructure at the Saint John Airport in New Brunswick to enhance operational safety

The Government of Canada supports infrastructure projects that create quality middle-class jobs and boost economic growth.

SAINT JOHN, NB, April 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The quality of Canada's transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of the country's trade corridors is key to the success of Canadian firms in the global marketplace.      

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced a major investment of $10,134,500 to ensure the Saint John Airport remains a key driver of economic activity in the region. The two runways, the public taxiway and aprons will be rehabilitated, and major cracks in the pavement will be repaired, and the drainage system will be fixed. Runways will be narrowed to comply with the latest airport design standards and to minimize annual routine maintenance and operating costs.

Also, runway end safety areas will be added to both runways to significantly enhance operational safety at the airport. The Safety Related Airfield Modernization Investment Project is a project of the Saint John Airport in partnership with the Government of New Brunswick.

The Government of Canada is supporting infrastructure projects that contribute most to Canada's continued success in international trade.  For example, projects being funded will:

• support economic activity and the physical movement of goods or people in Canada;
• help the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and make sure it is able to support new technologies and innovation;
• address transportation bottlenecks and congestion along Canada's trade corridors; and
• increase the fluidity of Canadian trade around the world through our ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, bridges and border crossings.

Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, federal Crown Corporations, Canadian Port Authorities, and National Airport System Airport Authorities are all eligible for funding under the National trade Corridors Fund.

For more information about the National Trade Corridors Fund please visit http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/national-trade-corridors-fund.html.

Quote
"Our government is investing in Canada's economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada's transportation networks remain competitive and efficient."

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

"Transportation and distribution of goods are a vital part of our local, regional and national economies. The investment announced here today will make our transportation system stronger by addressing urgent capacity constraints at the Saint John Airport and fostering long-term prosperity for our community."

Wayne Long,
Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay

"As part of our multi-year economic growth plan, your government is committed to making strategic investments in key infrastructure that will grow the New Brunswick economy and create jobs. Investing in the Saint John Airport will positively impact our economy and the quality of life in our province."

The Honourable Brian Gallant
Premier of New Brunswick

Quick Facts

• This project will strengthen the safety and sustainability of the Saint John Airport, which is part of the National Airports System. The 26 airports in the National Airports System serve about 90 per cent of all scheduled passenger and cargo traffic in Canada, and handle almost all of Canada's international trade flows by air.
  
  
• Transportation is an important element of Canada's trade with other countries. In 2017, total international merchandise trade amounted to $1,107 trillion. The United States continued to be Canada's top trade partner, with $702.9 billion in trade ($414.9 billion exported, $288.0 billion imported), accounting for 63.5 per cent of total Canadian trade in 2017.
  
  
• The Government of Canada places a strong emphasis on exports because of the connection between trade and good, well-paying jobs, as industries that are export-intensive pay wages that are, on average, more than 50 per cent higher than industries that are not.

Related Product

• National Trade Corridors Fund Backgrounder

Associated Links

• Trade and Transportation Corridor Initiative
• Investing in Canada Plan
• Transportation 2030

Backgrounder

National Trade Corridors Fund

The $2 billion National Trade Corridors Fund is one component of the $180 billion Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada's strategy for addressing long-term infrastructure needs in Canada and supporting middle-class growth and well-paying jobs. The quality of Canada's transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of the country's trade corridors is key to the success of Canadian firms in the global marketplace.

The Government of Canada is providing support for well-functioning trade corridors that will allow Canadians to compete in key global markets and trade more efficiently with international partners. It represents a long-term commitment by the Government of Canada to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects that help to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities and congestion along Canada's trade corridors.

The National Trade Corridors Fund is also a key element of Transportation 2030, the Minister of Transport's strategic plan for the future of transportation. The development of this vision, including the National Trade Corridors Fund, has been informed by extensive engagement with Canadians from coast to coast to coast, along with insights contained in the 2015 Canada Transportation Act Review report.

The National Trade Corridors Fund is a merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical assets that support economic activity and the physical movement of commercial goods and people in Canada.

A total of $2 billion over 11 years has been allocated for the National Trade Corridors Fund, including up to $400 million in dedicated funding for Northern territorial transportation infrastructure.

Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, federal Crown Corporations, Canadian Port Authorities, and National Airport System Airport Authorities were invited to submit proposals to Transport Canada which were then evaluated against the eligibility criteria for the program.

Types of projects that meet the eligibility criteria include, for example, ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, international bridges and border crossings – assets that are the primary building blocks of the supply chains that enable the physical exchange of goods around the world and also support the critical movement of people and goods in Canada's Northern territories.

In addition to the $2 billion of investments under the National Trade Corridors Fund, the Canada Infrastructure Bank will invest at least an additional $5 billion to address trade and transportation projects.

For more information about the National Trade Corridors Fund please visit: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/national-trade-corridors-fund.html.

SOURCE Transport Canada