Cold Lake is keeping their eye on their agreement with CATSA after noticing the 2019/20 federal budget included funding and support in case the organization were to transition from a Crown operation to an independent not-for-profit.
“In 2015, the House of Commons passed a motion unanimously to alter the CATSA regulations, which allowed Cold Lake and a number of other communities to access CATSA screening services on a cost recovery basis. We’re just flagging this in case this transition should happen,” explained Andrew Serba, manager of strategic initiatives for Cold Lake.
The city has a letter from CATSA confirming they’re prepared to offer their airport security screening services at the future commercial airport on 4 Wing Cold Lake, a project that’s been in the works for years.
Mayor Craig Copeland said, “Right now, we’re in the midst of finalizing an agreement between the City of Cold Lake and the Department of National Defence for the federal government for the use of the airstrip on 4 Wing. It’s been a long journey, but we’re getting close to finalizing that.”
”The issue that was brought to council, is it looks like the federal government is reviewing CATSA services in Canada and maybe looking at other options... Right now, it’s just a ‘for your information’ for council, but regardless, council is wanting commercial air service in our community,” continued Copeland.
Serba said should the transition with CATSA happen, the city may have to lobby the organization to uphold their end of the agreement.
“Should that transition take place, the federal government would have to introduce legislation to do so,” he noted. “There may be some lobbying involved so the promise that were made continue to be honoured.”
During discussions with Explorer Solutions, a firm the city worked with during earlier conversations with CATSA in 2014/15, Serba noted the company didn’t expect any changes to take place before the federal election.
He added, “Then the jury is out on whether or not it could have any effect, but they do agree the possibility is there.”
