Canada’s busiest airport is getting a bit lift from Trudeau government.
The ruling Liberals today announced $142 million in funding to help Toronto Pearson International Airport recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support continued air services and important transportation infrastructure projects at the airport.
“As Canada works towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, investments in our airport infrastructure continue to be crucial to maintain safety, security, and connectivity for travellers, workers and communities,” the government said in a press release. Investments such as this “also help ensure Canada’s aviation industry is well-positioned to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.”
The airport will receive more than $142 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Program to rehabilitate airfield pavement; develop and install new check-in, boarding and border clearance systems; enable COVID-19 testing and screening of passengers and employees. Maybe best of all for consumers, the money will help pay for technical studies and concept design work for a proposed connection between the airport and the future extension of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit line.
These Investments will help the airport maintain safety, security, and connectivity for travellers, airport workers and residents of the Greater Toronto Area and its surrounding communities.
“This investment in Toronto Pearson infrastructure will better position us to create the airport that Canada needs as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic—one that supports supply chains, trade, jobs and economic development in sustainable and innovative ways,” said Deborah Flint, President & CEO Greater Toronto Airports Authority.
“As we move forward with the safe and gradual return of activity in the aviation sector in a way that continues to support the health, safety, and security of all Canadians, it will be imperative that we maintain a vibrant and competitive Canadian air sector,” said federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. “These critical investments will allow the Toronto Pearson International Airport to invest in the infrastructure and tools needed to help re-invigorate the aviation industry and to allow Canadians to feel safe and secure when they travel.”
The Airport Critical Infrastructure Program, launched in May 2021, will provide $571.2 million in funding over five years to airports for eligible infrastructure projects related to safety, security, connectivity to mass transit systems, or testing and screening related to COVID-19 and its variants.
