Any new investment model must strengthen our national aviation eco-system

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) says any new model for attracting private investment in Canada’s airports must preserve affordability, connectivity and reinvestment. The reaction comes after the Government of Canada announced plans to seek private investment in four major airports—Toronto Pearson, Montréal-Trudeau, Calgary International and Vancouver International—while keeping public ownership of the underlying land and assets. CAC President Monette Pasher said any proceeds from a user-pay approach should strengthen infrastructure, connectivity and affordability for regions nationwide. The group noted that Canadian airports operate mostly under user-pay rules with limited direct federal funding, having invested more than $30 billion since devolution began in the 1990s. CAC also highlighted roughly $19 billion of infrastructure needs for smaller airports over the next decade.