Russell Welcomes Airstrip Renewal

Presses for Expedited Work and Major Projects

MAKKOVIK, July 16, 2009 — Labrador MP Todd Russell said today that he is pleased that the federal government has finally approved an extension of the Labrador Coastal Airstrips Program.

“This is welcome news for coastal Labrador residents and air operators who rely on safe and efficient airfields as a vital transportation link,” Russell said. “I strongly encourage the two levels of government to finalize the renewal agreement. I also urge them to expedite projects under the renewed agreement, with work during this year’s construction season.”

The federal government approved a new agreement on June 11th through federal Order in Council 2009-0976 (see below.) It gives federal approval to the airstrips program renewal for fiscal years 2009-10 to 2012-13.

The Labrador Coastal Airstrips Program funds restoration and improvement projects at airstrips along the north and south coasts of Labrador. From its inception in 1982, it had been routinely renewed at five-year intervals. The most recent renewal was under the federal Liberal government in 2003. That agreement expired at the end of March 2008.

Russell also sounded a note of concern.

“The latest renewal has only been approved for four years, instead of the usual five,” Russell said. “I would also like to see concrete steps by the provincial and the federal governments on longer-term, large-scale projects, including new regional airports at Nain in the north and Port Hope Simpson in the south. Projects of that size fall outside the scope of the existing programs, but they are too important to be held up by funding disputes or intergovernmental squabbles.”

-30-

Todd Russell, MP

(613) 996-4630

(709) 896-2483

2009-0976	2009-06-11	TC
Canada Transportation Act
Labrador Coast Airstrips Restoration Program.
Approval of the entry by the Minister of Transport into contribution agreements with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport and the Treasury Board, pursuant to section 48 of the Canada Transportation Act, hereby approves the entry by the Minister of Transport into contribution agreements with the government of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, for a total amount not to exceed $4,000,000, in accordance with the terms and conditions approved by Treasury Board for the Labrador Coast Airstrips Restoration Program, for the fiscal years 2009-2010 to 2012-2013.