Councillor Pam McConnell on the tunnel to the Island Airport
The Island Airport (more formally known as the Toronto City Centre Airport) and the Toronto Port Authority (TPA) have been in the news recently with a proposal to use federal infrastructure money to construct a tunnel connecting the airport to the mainland.
Our community has been overwhelmingly opposed to any expansion of the Island Airport. We continue to be concerned about the airport’s location and the implications to the community and airport users’ safety, the impact on air quality, and the increasing noise pollution.
As the number of flights increases, so does the number of concerns and complaints my staff and I receive.
Despite attempts to present the tunnel project in other terms, it is clearly an attempt to increase the capacity of the airline that operates out of the airport.
Currently, the Toronto Port Authority has hired consultants to work on a noise mitigation strategy. With representatives from area stakeholders, my colleague Councillor Vaughan and I have been pushing to reduce the impact of airport noise on our waterfront. However, many mitigation factors are negated by increasing take-offs and landings.
I would like to encourage residents to report any and all noise infractions to the Toronto Port Authority, online at http://www.torontoport.com/Airport_Cform.asp or by phoning the TPA Noise Management Office at 416-203-8490. The constant and vigilant reporting of noise and curfew violations from the community will help substantiate our work on curbing the destructive impact of the airport.
I am opposed to a tunnel connecting to the airport, and I am very troubled about this use of public money and the lack of appropriate planning and oversight. In addition, federal legislation passed in 2005 expressly states that “the Toronto Port Authority shall not use, or authorize or permit another person to use, the port to build a bridge or similar fixed link between the mainland of the City of Toronto and the Toronto Islands.” In other words, a tunnel is not be allowed by federal law.
I am also disturbed about the media coverage of this issue, which has been extremely dismissive of community concerns around health, noise, and safety. I will continue to work against any expansion at the Island Airport.
I want to take this opportunity to forward an excellent message from that Councillor Vaughan recently sent to his residents, which I entirely support.
Sincerely,
Pam
Our community has been overwhelmingly opposed to any expansion of the Island Airport. We continue to be concerned about the airport’s location and the implications to the community and airport users’ safety, the impact on air quality, and the increasing noise pollution.
As the number of flights increases, so does the number of concerns and complaints my staff and I receive.
Despite attempts to present the tunnel project in other terms, it is clearly an attempt to increase the capacity of the airline that operates out of the airport.
Currently, the Toronto Port Authority has hired consultants to work on a noise mitigation strategy. With representatives from area stakeholders, my colleague Councillor Vaughan and I have been pushing to reduce the impact of airport noise on our waterfront. However, many mitigation factors are negated by increasing take-offs and landings.
I would like to encourage residents to report any and all noise infractions to the Toronto Port Authority, online at http://www.torontop
I am opposed to a tunnel connecting to the airport, and I am very troubled about this use of public money and the lack of appropriate planning and oversight. In addition, federal legislation passed in 2005 expressly states that “the Toronto Port Authority shall not use, or authorize or permit another person to use, the port to build a bridge or similar fixed link between the mainland of the City of Toronto and the Toronto Islands.” In other words, a tunnel is not be allowed by federal law.
I am also disturbed about the media coverage of this issue, which has been extremely dismissive of community concerns around health, noise, and safety. I will continue to work against any expansion at the Island Airport.
I want to take this opportunity to forward an excellent message from that Councillor Vaughan recently sent to his residents, which I entirely support.
Sincerely,
Pam
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