December 27 2009

Dear Board of Directors and Staff of TAPA ,

We are deeply troubled by TAPA’s recent communiqué announcing the TRIP program’s alliance with Porter Airlines. While we applaud elements of that new program we find it unconscionable that TAPA has chosen Porter as a sponsor.

We are at a global climate crisis, and this represents a local catastrophe. The Toronto Island airport’s activities, through Porter, are contributing to severe health and safety threats to the local residents whose homes (many are co-op housing and Toronto Community Housing) are metres from the runways. We suspect many TAPA members and artists are as frustrated as we are by the lack of progress in the shadow of the Copenhagen conference on climate change.

It is precisely because of deals such as these made with Porter that there is no progress. If an organization like yours/ours cannot resist, why should government?  Immediately beside the Island airport is a facility housing a heavily used community centre, two schools and a daycare. There is a much-frequented local park. As well as air and noise pollution from planes, the road traffic in the area has increased to a massive extent with idling cars, taxis and coaches from very early morning to late at night and even beyond those hours.

People in the area have to negotiate racing vehicles rushing commuters back and forth as well as the constant noise and fumes.  We must remind you that a huge number of artists were involved in the fight to stop construction of the bridge to the airport as we knew it would inevitably involve increased air traffic and larger planes. All the representatives (municipal, provincial and federal) of the constituents of the area are opposed to the airport and have been active in battling its existence. David Miller was elected by many of us hopeful artists with this matter high on his agenda.

We feel that TAPA has done a disservice to the people of Toronto. And for what? Six flights a year at a cost to Porter of virtually nothing except maybe a few lattes. You have embraced the "normalization" of the airport’s existence, and have afforded them free advertising and a profile that makes them appear community-minded and arts supportive. The actuality is far from the truth and their "community service" is only for a very select few, their "willingness to consider innovative ideas" does not include considering the devastating issues facing our communities and our world.

While on the surface Porter obviously offers "convenience" it is at a great cost to the local people and us all. This is the inconvenient truth. The planes constantly fly over residential areas, run engines at hours they are not allowed, leaving frustrated residents with the only recourse to complain again and again until they are worn down and bow out.

Shadowland has ongoing projects with various groups at Harbourfront Community Centre and we are not speaking from a NIMBY-ist perspective, as we can see that criticism being leveled.  Rather we choose to invest our artistic skills in enriching the lives of the participants with our programming and shared community goals. At the very least perhaps you could understand this issue from the perspective of the noise of planes overhead drowning out concerts and performances in waterfront venues such as the Music Garden and Harbourfront Centre. This will worsen considerably as the proposed new airport expansion takes place.

We believe that TAPA is concerned with the wellbeing of the people of Toronto. However, despite the publicity and available information on the Island airport issue, you have decided to support it with your actions. The Toronto Port Authority has milked Toronto’s taxpayers for millions of dollars, imagine if that money had been available for arts and environmental programs for the city or for true waterfront revitalization. None of these are able to happen with a busy airport in the midst of residential areas on our lakeshore. The much-lauded Jane Jacobs said of the Island airport, " I urge Torontonians to close this dangerous Trojan horse down."

We urge you to reconsider this deal and instead forge relationships with rail networks rather than air carriers. We also ask you to visit Community Air’s website (www.communityair.org) for well researched and verified facts on the impact of Porter and the continued existence of the airport. The video by Pieter Jugovic, a local doctor, on the impact on children’s health and development by close exposure to air traffic is especially relevant.

Despite many years of membership and after discussion with our Board of Directors we have sadly decided that we will have to withdraw from TAPA if this sponsorship continues.  Therefore, we have no option but to request a refund of our dues, which we are unable to tolerate being spent on attaining such a deal.

Yours with great regret,

Anne Barber and Brad Harley
Artistic Director

Cc: Community Air
Cllr Pam McConnell
Cllr Adam Vaughan
Rosario Marchese MPP
Olivia Chow MP