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Effective July 14, the Government of Canada will offer extended border services at the Moncton, Fredericton and Charlottetown airports.

This investment of approximately $1 million will extend the hours of border services to 16 hours a day (from 8 a.m. to midnight), seven days a week. The announcement was made by the Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety.

"Our government recognizes that the development of small airports contributes to economic prosperity," said Rob Moore, MP Fundy Royal.

"The extra hours will provide businesses and other travellers more choices. This will increase economic development and tourism opportunities."

Last year, the MP held a meeting with the Mayors of Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe and Minister Day to discuss this issue.

"I am pleased to see that last year's meeting with the Minister and the municipal leaders of the Greater Moncton Area has led to concrete results," he said.

Prior to this agreement, the Airport Authorities and airlines were required to pay cost recovery fees for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) passenger clearance services after 5 p.m.

This extension of border services means that the top 20 airports in Canada will all receive a minimum of 16 hours of publicly funded passenger clearance services.

An overall review of core services is ongoing. In the meantime, as further options are considered and decisions are made, the CBSA will continue to offer a service delivery approach that is fair, transparent and flexible.