ADVOCACY ROLE FOR NON-NATIONAL AIRPORTS IN BC (2005)

 

The National Airports Policy was brought into effect in 1995.  Since that time ownership of all but the top 26 airports in Canada have been transferred to non Federal governing agencies.  The top 26 national airports remain the property of the Federal government and are operated by Local and Canadian Airport Authorities under lease agreements with the Government of Canada.  Transport Canada is the landlord.

 

There are 89 “Designated” aerodromes in Canada of which 19 are in BC.  All of these airports are significant assets in the economic development potential of their respective communities and of the province.  Only 5 of these 19 are considered to be National airports, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna (owned by the City of Kelowna), Abbotsford and Prince George.  The remaining 14 of these airports are, in effect, a peripheral part of the national airport system and need an advocate to speak on their behalf in the interest of the Province of BC.   The Canadian Airports Council is becoming an effective national voice.  The provincial and national Chambers of Commerce could be effective allies with the CAC and other airport organizations.  The BC Aviation Council and The BC Airport Managers Association are two other provincial organizations where collaboration could be productive.

 

The federal government has not shown leadership in developing an integrated national multimodal transportation policy that will position Canada to take advantage of its natural resource advantage in the Global economy.

 

The BC Ministry of Transportation has begun to transform its thinking to recognize the potential of, and need for, multimodal planning in its investment decision making.  The Ministry should be encouraged to continue with their initiatives and to lobby the federal government to develop a visionary transportation strategy for the nation in consultation with the provinces.  The province should also be encouraged to proceed with the development of its own vision for integrated transportation infrastructure to position the province strategically in the global market.  Collaboration within the province between the Ministry of Small Business and Ministry of Transportation would prove beneficial.

 

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

 

That the federal government;

 

1. develop a visionary transportation strategy for Canada that enhances BC’s strategic geographic advantage; and

 

2. encourage cooperation across departments to deliver truly integrated transportation infrastructure for Canada