Policy & Positions Manual
Provincial Issues - Transportation and Infrastructure
Provincial Airport Infrastructure Investment Plan (2011)
BC is fortunate to have several international airports, as well as many smaller regional airports.
Naturally, airports are critical transportation links between our communities and are major economic drivers.
There is a large demand for infrastructure investment dollars for airports across the province and funding from municipal, provincial and federal sources.
Currently, there is no master plan either provincially or federally that outlines infrastructure priorities for the province’s airports. Currently, spending decisions by governments on airport infrastructure is done on a local needs basis and guided by local lobbying efforts.
Further, there does not appear to be any guidelines or criteria for investment towards airport projects by the Federal or Provincial Government. Most spending by either level of government is made under the justification of infrastructure and economic development spending.
Collectively, the Provincial and Federal Government should work together to develop a plan that will consult with businesses, residents, airport authorities and provide solid research from users from around the province and neighboring districts that will encourage the most effective use of taxpayers dollars on airport improvements. Criteria should be established that differentiates between spending on critical basic vs. Nice to have improvements.
In the interest of realizing the greatest economic impact and responsibility for taxpayer’s dollars in relation to airport infrastructure, future decisions should be made based on the areas of highest demand and economic impact to the entire province.
The Chamber Recommends
The Provincial Government, work with the Federal Government and airports around the province to develop a long term strategic plan to guide future investments in the province’s airport infrastructure with guidelines and criteria established for spending on airport infrastructure.
