October 27, 2005 (Ottawa) – 13 local charities received a much needed injection of project-specific funds from the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority last evening. Funding for these projects came from Project Clear Skies, the Authority’s charitable giving program.

“Since it was introduced in the fall of 2004, Project Clear Skies has provided more than $200,000.00 to worthy projects in Ottawa/Gatineau” said Paul Benoit, Airport Authority President and CEO. “The Authority is committed to giving back to the communities that have supported the airport's growth and change since 1997”.

Projects that received funding in this wave include:

Centre Alimentaire Aylmer ~ $1,900.00 to purchase furniture
Centre d’Animation Familiale ~ $5,000.00 to purchase appliances
Centre espoir Sophie ~ $6,000.00 to purchase appliances
Centre d’intervention et de prévention en toxicomanie de l’Outaouais ~ $4,000.00 for house renovations
Heron Emergency Food Centre ~ $1,200.00 to purchase a refrigerator
LiveWorkPlay Inc. ~ $5,000.00 to purchase exercise equipment
 Maison d’accueil Mutchmore ~ $1,500.00 to purchase furniture
 Maison de l’Amitié de Hull ~ $1,000.00 to purchase furniture
 Nelson House of Ottawa Carleton ~ $6,000.00 to purchase furniture
 New Beginnings for Youth ~ $4,700.00 to purchase kitchen equipment
 Orthodox Community Ohev Yisroel ~ $5,000.00 for house repairs
 Société St. Vincent de Paul ~ $2,000.00 for ceiling and wall repairs
 Waupoos Foundation ~ $10,000.00 for roof repairs

“It’s clear that there is a significant need in the community that we are trying to address”, said Jim Durrell, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Airport Authority.

OMCIAA operates Ottawa International Airport without government subsidies under a 60-year lease transfer agreement with Transport Canada. The OMCIAA’s mandate is to manage, operate and develop airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of the National Capital Region. Its new state-of-the-art passenger terminal building opened for business on October 12, 2003.