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 — Late yesterday, Transport Canada announced it was launching a six-and-a-half-week consultation on the future of the Toronto Island Airport.
This is likely a response to significant and growing public concern that the federal government will be the proponent of a proposal to allow commercial jets at the Island Airport — something that is currently prohibited under a decades-long agreement between the Toronto Port Authority (a federal agency), the City of Toronto (whose role in the agreement is slated to be taken over by the Province of Ontario) and the federal government.
Turning the Island Airport into a much larger jet airport would increase air, noise and water pollution, cancel thousands of new homes already in development in Toronto’s Port Lands, threaten the Toronto Islands and mainland parks, and bring even more debilitating traffic and gridlock to Toronto’s downtown.
Environmental Defence has partnered with NoJetsTO to save Toronto’s waterfront and the Toronto Islands from this very destructive proposal.
Experts are available to comment on the environmental and housing impacts of expanding Toronto Island Airport to accommodate jets.
Who:
- Tim Gray, Executive Director
- Norm di Pasquale, NoJetsTO Program Manager
- Phil Pothen, Counsel and Ontario Environment Program Manager
Where: Toronto, Ontario (also available remotely)
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:
Erinn Steringa, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
