By CHRISTOPHER FOULDS KTW editorJul 21 2006 http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
While he didn’t announce that Ottawa had decided to shuffle the remaining millions needed for the Kamloops Airport expansion project to take flight, International Trade Minister David Emerson did enough hinting Tuesday night to indicate the final piece of Fulton Field’s financial puzzle may soon be put in place. Emerson was in town to speak at a $150 per plate Conservative constituency fundraiser attended by 50 or so blue faithful who sacrificed a perfect summer evening to dine at Forster’s. Emerson said he is well aware of Kamloops Airport and its need for expansion, both on the ground and in the air.During his six-year tenure as president and CEO of the Vancouver International Airport Authority between 1992 and 1997, Emerson secured the contract for the authority to operate Kamloops Airport. “You can be assured I understand your airport,” Emerson said, “and the need for runway expansion, and the need for better airline service.” The Vancouver-Kingsway MP is also minister responsible for the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Olympic Winter Games and the Pacific Gateway Strategy, the latter a $500-plus million initiative created in October of last year by the Paul Martin Liberal government, of which Emerson was a cabinet member before defecting to the Tories two days after his Grits dropped the Jan. 23 federal election to Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. It is the Pacific Gateway Strategy, Emerson said, and its focus on positioning B.C. as the crucial link in trade between Asia and North America via massive improvements in port, road and rail service, that highlights the importance of the Tournament Capital, in terms of its location. “We have to ensure that communities like Kamloops have the inland port, have the airport facilities, for the Gateway project,” Emerson said, pointing out that reports that the previous Liberal government had funds earmarked for the airport expansion project are erroneous — at least, as far as he understood as minister of industry under the Martin administration. Emerson said an “exhaustive search” of Transport Canada files was undertaken, eventually in vain, to find any paperwork supporting reports that the Liberals had secured Fulton Field funding pending re-election. Airport expansion plans, which include an expanded runway and upgraded terminal, are pegged at about $20 million.Victoria has pledged $4 million, with the city hoping to fund the remainder via federal cash and airport improvement fees.
While he didn’t announce that Ottawa had decided to shuffle the remaining millions needed for the Kamloops Airport expansion project to take flight, International Trade Minister David Emerson did enough hinting Tuesday night to indicate the final piece of Fulton Field’s financial puzzle may soon be put in place. Emerson was in town to speak at a $150 per plate Conservative constituency fundraiser attended by 50 or so blue faithful who sacrificed a perfect summer evening to dine at Forster’s. Emerson said he is well aware of Kamloops Airport and its need for expansion, both on the ground and in the air.During his six-year tenure as president and CEO of the Vancouver International Airport Authority between 1992 and 1997, Emerson secured the contract for the authority to operate Kamloops Airport. “You can be assured I understand your airport,” Emerson said, “and the need for runway expansion, and the need for better airline service.” The Vancouver-Kingsway MP is also minister responsible for the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Olympic Winter Games and the Pacific Gateway Strategy, the latter a $500-plus million initiative created in October of last year by the Paul Martin Liberal government, of which Emerson was a cabinet member before defecting to the Tories two days after his Grits dropped the Jan. 23 federal election to Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. It is the Pacific Gateway Strategy, Emerson said, and its focus on positioning B.C. as the crucial link in trade between Asia and North America via massive improvements in port, road and rail service, that highlights the importance of the Tournament Capital, in terms of its location. “We have to ensure that communities like Kamloops have the inland port, have the airport facilities, for the Gateway project,” Emerson said, pointing out that reports that the previous Liberal government had funds earmarked for the airport expansion project are erroneous — at least, as far as he understood as minister of industry under the Martin administration. Emerson said an “exhaustive search” of Transport Canada files was undertaken, eventually in vain, to find any paperwork supporting reports that the Liberals had secured Fulton Field funding pending re-election. Airport expansion plans, which include an expanded runway and upgraded terminal, are pegged at about $20 million.Victoria has pledged $4 million, with the city hoping to fund the remainder via federal cash and airport improvement fees.
No comments:
Post a Comment