"Canadian official rips airport rent"

Tuesday, February 11, 2003
 
Schmal rips airport rent
He's calling it another Ottawa cash grab
By DARREN TAKENAKA
CANADA - THE CALGARY SUN


Ald. John Schmal argued yesterday in a letter to Federal Transport Minister
David Collenette that rents paid by many Canadian airports are too high. 

"This is enough," Schmal said. 

"They're paying substantial amounts. In the end, it may impact on the
consumer." 

Schmal told Collenette he feared an upcoming review of rents is aimed at
squeezing even more federal revenue from airports. 

"We strongly caution against this approach," wrote Schmal, as president of
the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. 

Twenty-six Canadian airports, including Calgary International, are part of
the National Airports System. 

The NAS airports are run by Canadian Airport Authorities, not-for-profit
corporations that pay leases to Ottawa. 

Schmal also asked Collenette to give municipal governments more say
regarding airport land use in an upcoming draft of the Canada Airports Act.


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