News Release Archive
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS/ECONOMIC RENEWAL--SYDNEY AIRPORT STUDY
------------------------------------------------------------
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is studying
various options for transferring responsibility for the
Sydney Airport, as well as exploring the potential for
involving the private sector in the operation of the
facility.
The $80,000 study is being funded partly under the
Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement to Promote Private
Sector Participation in Municipal Infrastructure.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable David C.
Dingwall, Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Canada, Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Minister Robbie
Harrison, Federal Minister of Public Works and Government
Services Canada and Minister responsible for ACOA, David
Dingwall, and Mayor John Coady of the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality. The federal, provincial and municipal
governments will each contribute $26,667 to the project.
A consortium comprised of Coopers & Lybrand Consultants, in
association with Boyne Clarke Barristers and CBCL Ltd.
Engineering Consultants, was selected to conduct the study
which will examine the transfer of responsibility for the
airport to the CBRM or another as-yet-unformed,
locally-based airport authority. The successful consortium
was chosen from 11 bidders who responded to a call for
proposals issued by the regional municipality.
"The continued operation of the Sydney Airport is a critical
component of the transportation strategy and economic
development of the area," said Mr. Harrison. "The study's
results will allow the municipality to determine the best
approach to transferring responsibility for the airport, and
indicate the feasibility of including the private sector
resources and expertise in the ongoing operation of the
facility."
Mr. Dingwall said "With the federal government mandate of
commercializing regional airports, municipalities will be
faced with many challenges". "This study is a critical first
step in the process of commercializing the Sydney Airport,
and ensuring that it is done in a way to maximize the
benefits to the region."
"In order to maximize its benefits, the study's results will
be made available to other municipalities in Atlantic Canada
affected by the National Airports Policy," said Mayor Coady.
"CBRM could be a model for future commercialization ventures
across the region."
Today's announcement is another step in the process that
began on July 14, when Mr. Dingwall, on behalf of Transport
Minister Douglas Young, and Mayor Coady signed a letter of
intent to enter into negotiations with local officials to
transfer ownership of the Sydney Airport to the regional
municipality.
The Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement to Promote
Private Sector Participation in Municipal Infrastructure is
a three-year, $4-million cost-shared agreement (50 per cent
federal, 50 per cent provincial), managed by the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency on behalf of the Government of
Canada and by the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency on
behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia. The agreement
provides assistance to Nova Scotia municipalities to
investigate public/private partnerships to develop
infrastructure or deliver municipal services.
-30-
Contact: Grant Brennan 902-424-6211
Mayor John Coady 902-563-5000
trp Dec. 21, 1995
