Statement by Tim Gray, Executive Director

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 – At its AGM on June 11, the Toronto Port Authority is expected to fill the five vacant seats on its board of directors — a clear majority of its nine-member board. 

All five of these board members will be appointed by the federal Minister of Transport, and their histories, experiences and interests will tell us where Minister MacKinnon and Prime Minister Carney’s true intentions for the Island Airport lie. 

Will the federal government use these appointments to pave the way for jets and a massive airport expansion that would destroy parkland, block affordable housing, gridlock traffic and increase pollution? Or will they choose to prioritize the economic, social and environmental needs of Toronto’s residents and businesses by grounding Premier Ford’s mega-airport fantasy now?

Thousands of Torontonians have already contacted their federal MPs asking them to say “no” to commercial jets on Toronto Island. Turning the Island Airport into a jet airport would undermine the multibillion-dollar investment made by the city, province and federal government to bring Lake Ontario and the waterfront back to the people of Toronto. 

We urge the Minister to select board members who are committed to the preservation of Toronto’s vibrant waterfront, and who will block any proposal to expand the Island Airport to accommodate commercial jets. There can be no balance of use on Toronto’s waterfront if a massive jet airport becomes its primary feature.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian 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:
Erinn Steringa, media@environmentaldefence.ca