Crown rent reform: Working with government on commitments to reform the federal airport Crown rent formula.
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Traveller and cargo digitization: Urging a firm government commitment to digitize traveller and cargo processing, including digital identity verification and digital customs, by implementing the pathways developed through the CBSA-led Traveller Modernization Initiative.
Advancing recognition of Canada's airports as core trade-enabling infrastructure within one Canadian economy: including more integration of aviation into trade corridor, supply chain and economic development strategies and investments supporting stronger multimodal and domestic air network connectivity and to diversify exports, open new markets, and grow business travel, tourism and services trade.
Airport Zoning Regulations, airspace protection and land use: Seeking modernized and strengthened Airport Zoning Regulations to protect instrument flight paths and operational airspace, reduction of federal review timelines from up to seven years to a maximum of two, pre-construction assessment of development in aeronautical zones, and federal work with provinces and municipalities on long-term land-use compatibility around airports.
Advocating a policy modernization and red-tape-reduction agenda for the airport system. These include: digitization of traveller and cargo processing across federal agencies along with improved back-end government systems needed to deliver it; assessment of aviation regulation through a competitiveness, operational and regional resilience lens; modernized rules governing airport land use and commercial flexibility that keep fees low; and, improved zoning and resolution processes for airspace protection from incompatible development.
Airport funding programs, ACAP and a new growth and resilience program: Seeking the establishment of a new Small and Medium Airports Growth and Resilience program for economic and growth infrastructure, and recapitalization of the underfunded Airports Capital Assistance Program to meet safety, security, rehabilitation and economic development needs at airports that fall outside current program eligibility.
NAS ground lease extensions: Urging full implementation of 50-year ground lease extensions for all 26 National Airports System airports to provide the tenure certainty required for major capital projects, private-sector partnership and long-term infrastructure financing that are at-risk until resolved.
Advancing federal budget investment decisions that sustain and grow the national airport system as strategic economic and dual-use infrastructure essential to Canadians coast to coast to coast. These include: ground lease extensions and crown rent reform; eligibility and new funding for infrastructure and economic growth projects at small and mid-size airports facing an unsupported $19 Billion investment gap over 10 years; and, levelling up Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) funding to meet the true need for safety and security projects at small and northern airports.