Large-scale waterfront celebration, march & flotilla planned for this Sunday as residents celebrate a monumental win following the federal government’s decision to ground the proposal to expand the Toronto Island Airport to accommodate jets

Toronto | Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat — Following last night’s announcement that the federal government will not be proceeding with the proposed expansion of the Toronto Island Airport to accommodate jets, a community movement across Toronto is celebrating a critical victory for the city’s waterfront.

What was planned as a rally to demand federal action will now become a celebration of community power and democratic participation.

While tomorrow’s event will celebrate this hard-fought win, it will also underscore the community’s ongoing commitment to remaining vigilant and protecting Toronto’s waterfront for generations to come. Torontonians have proven they will stand up for their waterfront — and will continue to do so against any future proposal that puts it at risk.

WHO: NoJetsTO and Environmental Defence, along with hundreds of Toronto residents celebrating the victory against jets and the proposed Island Airport expansion.

Spokespeople available for interviews:

WHAT: Save Our Waterfront Celebration Rally, March & Flotilla

Sunday, July 26 / Harbour Square Park along Queens Quay to HTO Park / 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Large-scale celebration and march along with a flotilla of boats on the water to mark the community’s successful campaign to stop the proposed expansion. Route and full event details here.

MEDIA REGISTRATION: Please register at the Volunteer Tent at Harbour Square Park, or call/text either of the media contacts below.

WHY: Last night’s federal government announcement to ground the proposed Island Airport expansion represents a triumph for community power. Over 87,000 people responded to the government’s survey with 87 per cent saying no jets. Over 6,000 lawn signs were distributed across Toronto, thousands of letters were sent to MPs, and residents mobilized to protect the waterfront from noise and air pollution, debilitating traffic, thousands of cancelled homes, and irreversible destruction. See examples of the community movement in action here and here, as well as a video posted by Canadian singer-songwriter Feist here.

For more information on the NoJetsTO movement, please visit NoJetsTO.com. You can also view our media statement on the federal government’s decision here.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (https://environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

– 30 –

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Alex Ross or Stephanie Kohls, media@environmentaldefence.ca (reaches both)