Statement from Norm Di Pasquale, No Jets TO Program Manager, Environmental Defence

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 — Two weeks ago, Minister Steven MacKinnnon and Toronto MPs made a clear promise to Torontonians: there would be no jets at the Island Airport. 

We expect the Minister of Transport will respect the will of the people, and quickly fill the empty seats on the Toronto Port Authority’s Board of Directors with members who openly and absolutely oppose an expansion for jets at the Toronto Island Airport. We also urge the federal government to take the lands Premier Ford seized from the city — including the Toronto Islands and Little Norway Park — and protect them forever from any fantasy future development. 

This is the second time in just over a decade that governments have considered expanding the Island Airport to accommodate commercial jets, and both times Toronto residents have fought for their waterfront and community — and won. Democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box, and the Prime Minister and his MPs would be wise to remember that Torontonians are always ready to fight for our waterfront.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (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.

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

Alex Ross, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca