The voice of Canada’s airports.
Thursday, October 11, 2007 -
OTTAWA (October 11, 2007) – The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) today decried
the continued subsidization of Via Rail to the tune of nearly $692 million
while Canada’s
aviation sector suffers from competitiveness challenges.
“Canada’s
civil aviation sector already suffers a serious competitive disadvantage to
other modes of travel and airports across the border in the U.S. due to
airport rent and other forms of high taxation,” said CAC President and CEO Jim
Facette. “Canada’s
airports generate some $30 billion in economic output and employ more than
150,000 people while facilitating international and domestic trade and
tourism.To pump millions of dollars
into a competitor is inexplicable.”
The statement comes after it was announced
today that the federal government will provide $691.9 million in capital and
operating funding to Via Rail.While
shouldering the financial responsibility of more than $9.5 billion in capital
improvements over the past decade, Canada’s airports pay nearly $300
million a year in the form of rent to the federal government.
In addition to rent, which is passed on to
airlines and their passengers, the government burdens civil aviation with fuel
excise taxes, the air traveller’s security charge and other tax and regulatory
costs.
“Canada’s 100 million air travellers
a year will pay nearly $300 million in rent this year while the government
pours nearly $700 million to benefit Via Rail’s 4.1 million passengers, said
Mr. Facette.“This is a double standard
that clearly must end.”
About
the Canadian Airports Council
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is the voice for Canada’s airports.Its 47 members encompass more than 150 airports, including all of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most significant municipal airports in every province and territory. Together, CAC members handle virtually all of the nation’s air cargo and international passenger traffic and 95% of domestic passenger traffic.They create well in excess of $30 billion in economic activity in the communities they serve.And more than 150,000 jobs are directly associated with CAC member airports, generating a payroll of more than $8 billion annually.
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For more
information:
Daniel-Robert
Gooch,
Director of
Communications
Canadian
Airports Council
(613) 560-9302
ext 16
daniel.gooch@cacairports.ca