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Part of Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP)

Community Airport Program

Municipalities can apply for funding for rehabilitation and improvement of community-owned, public-use airports.

Important dates

Application status: Open until November 30 for funding in the following year

Overview

The Community Airport Program (CAP) is one of 4 funding streams of the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program. Its goal is to maintain the existing network of public-use community airports to support:

  • safe airport operations
  • general aviation operations
  • commercial air charters
  • forest fire suppression
  • medevac operations
  • local and regional economic development
  • provincial investment in airports

Funding

Program funding is determined each budget cycle. Private sector contractors and suppliers must be used to carry out all work.

Funding for approved projects is cost-shared:

  • 75% provincial contribution for eligible project costs
  • 25% municipal contribution for eligible project costs

For runway extensions, the costs are shared:

  • 1/3 provincial contribution for eligible projects costs
  • 1/3 municipal contribution for eligible project costs
  • 1/3 industry contribution for eligible project costs

Projects with other funding sources, such as federal or private industry contributions, are scored higher than those with municipal funding only.

Eligibility

Proposed projects are reviewed to ensure they meet program criteria. Projects are then rated on a provincewide, competitive basis and evaluated on:

  • basic need
  • safety
  • functionality
  • impacts on the overall transportation network
  • the current condition of the infrastructure
  • number of flights annually
  • number of passengers annually
  • cost effectiveness and efficiency
  • collaboration or partnership with industry or other municipalities or Metis Settlements
  • economic, social, environmental or innovation benefits
  • use of alternate sources to fund the project (federal or private investment)

Eligible applicants

Municipalities that own/operate community-owned, public-use airports are eligible for funding, including:

  • cities
  • towns
  • villages
  • summer villages
  • counties
  • specialized municipalities
  • municipal districts
  • the special areas
  • Metis Settlements

Ineligible entities

The following are not eligible to apply:

  • private organizations
  • non-government agencies
  • charitable societies
  • non-government operating authorities
  • airports with passenger service that are eligible for federal assistance programs such as the Airports Capital Assistance Program

Eligible projects

Only existing community airports are eligible for funding. Eligible projects include runway lighting and major capital rehabilitation, including pavement rehabilitation work, such as fog seals, slurry seals and overlays, of the following aircraft operating areas:

  • primary runway
  • apron
  • primary taxiway from main/terminal apron to runway

Runway extensions may be eligible for funding if:

  • the project benefits contribute to the overall goals of this program
  • the municipality/private industry provides a significant financial contribution to the project
  • funding is available

Ineligible projects

The following projects are not eligible for this grant:

  • all buildings, including terminals and storage areas/sheds
  • new cross-wind runways, secondary runways and taxiways
  • development areas, access roads, fencing and drainage
  • navigation aids, runway marking painting, water/sewer, power and utilities

Ineligible costs

The following costs are not eligible for CAP grant funding and are the responsibility of the municipality:

  • retrofits or improvements to existing infrastructure
  • operating or normal maintenance
  • administrative activities
  • equipment
  • GST
  • financing expenses
  • land acquisition
  • fencing
  • legal fees

How to apply

Step 1. Read the guidelines

Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program Guidelines

Step 2. Complete the application package

Include the following documents in your application package:

  • cover letter
  • basic Information
  • project benefits
  • project information

See the guidelines for details on the document requirements.

Step 3. Submit the application package

Applications for each of the 4 STIP components can be submitted by the deadline:

Municipalities must advise their regional office of online submissions.

Find your region by checking the Municipalities, Locations and Corresponding Transportation Regions list or the map of Region and District Offices.

After you apply

Applicants will be notified in writing about the status of their application.

Reporting

Municipalities must provide a final report which summarizes expenditures for all approved projects and includes:

  • final payment claim
  • copies of all invoices
  • construction completion certificate
  • photos of the completed project
  • the project’s return on investment, including measurement of the impact of the investment on regional economic growth, job creation numbers, improved safety and access, increased functionality of the facility, and other benefits

Grant recipients

Community Airport Program grants to municipalities

Contact

Connect with your regional Infrastructure Manager to learn more about funding for transportation infrastructure projects:

Connect now