Dear Mr. Baird and Mr. Flaherty,
 
I wish to express my strong opposition to the expansion of the Toronto
Island Airport. Contrary to what news reports may have led you to
believe, opponents of the Island Airport and of Porter Air are not confined to those who live
close to the airport, although those residents' quality of life deserves your
protection.
 
I do not reside within earshot of the Island Airport. But like countless
Torontonians, I have relied on Toronto's waterfront, including areas
fouled by the noise and smell of Porter's airplanes, for exercise,
leisure and peace of mind, and I believe in the Clean, Green Waterfront
that all three levels of government have promised Torontonians. A
commercial airport, spewing noise and air pollution (both of which I
experience regularly when trying to enjoy the waterfront) is simply not
compatible with this promise.
 
On top of this, in the current crisis of climate change, the Canadian
government has no business encouraging short-haul air travel, which
produces extremely high levels of pollution per capita. You should be
fast-tracking (no pun intended) a high-speed train network in the Quebec
City-Windsor corridor, as well as fast-rail links from downtown Toronto
to Pearson International Airport. The current crisis in the automotive
industry offers an ideal opportunity for the government to invest in
such infrastructure.
 
I look forward to an answer from you both, since you both attended
today's announcement of the expansion of the Island Airport facilities.
I also look forward to hearing from Mr. Kennedy, my MP, whom I am
copying on this email, and who has yet to respond to my concerns
surrounding the Toronto Island Airport.

Name withheld