Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
Waterkeeper submits formal comment on Toronto Island Airport Expansion
Waterkeeper recommends that the City of Toronto defer its decision to approve the airport expansion. Without environmental assessment, permits, proof that environmental harm will not occur, and adequate public consultation, the City’s permission is premature. The consequences of making a rushed decision are significant and potentially irreversible harm to public resources; those consequences outweigh any perceived private benefits of the project.
Island Airport Expansion is premature, Waterkeeper tells city
Two City of Toronto committees are meeting to review Porter Airline’s island airport expansion proposal. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is appearing before both committees to caution the city against hasty decision-making when the stakes - the future of our waterfront - are so high. Here is the text of our oral submission to the Subcommittee to Review Billy Bishop Airport Consultants Reports.
Our main conclusion is this: decisions made in the name of “convenience” alone can cost the city millions of dollars and significant lost opportunity. Therefore, a decision on the airport expansion requires legal oversight through Environmental Assessments and permit applications. And this is a good thing: following legal processes now can avoid political headaches and costly mistakes later.
Urgent Request to Minister of Transport
In Fall 2003, there was much confusion surrounding the future of the bridge to the Toronto Island Airport. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper sent this urgent letter to the Minister of Transportation requesting clarification.