|
Calgary Economic Development
Phone: 403-221-7831
Toll-free: 1-888-222-5855
Fax: 403-221-7828
|
|
 |
May 09, 2005
Calgary Economic Development and The Calgary Chamber of Commerce See Progress in Federal Airport Tax Announcement
For Immediate Release
Calgary, Alberta (May 9, 2005) Team Calgary, including, Calgary Economic Development, The Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Calgary, The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary Technologies Inc. and The City of Calgary, is encouraged with the airport rent decision as announced by the Federal Government today. As outlined in the presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transportation last month, the team organizations believe the elimination of the federal airport tax is a key issue for the airline industry in order to remain vibrant and competitive on an international level.
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce commends the Federal Government for its initiative in taking action to avert the financial crisis the Calgary Airport Authority would have otherwise faced. At the same time, we will continue to call on the government to go even further and eliminate this unwarranted tax on the aviation industry, said Murray Sigler, President and CEO of The Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
Air access to the Calgary Region is crucial for sustaining and developing business and for strengthening our position as the nations leading growth centre, said Bruce Graham, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. The airport rent announcement is encouraging. A real success of the process is the collaborative effort of all Team Calgary members, along with several community and business organizations, in helping to influence todays decision. It is to everyones benefit that the airport fee structure promote, not hinder, our competitive advantage.
The Calgary Airport Authority directly and indirectly employs more than 46,000 local residents, providing in excess of $3.7 billion in economic activity.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Paul Bowen
Calgary Economic Development
403.880.7040
Melissa Homenuik
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce
403.750.0424
|
