Deputation of the York Quay Neighbourhood Association
Reposted to correct formatting problem.
(Editor's note: Today the community met with the Board of Health to discuss the environmental problems that the Toronto Island Airport has created. We will post some of these deputations over the next couple of days.)
January 17, 2010
Dear Board of Health,
I’m representing York Quay Neighbourhood Association (YQNA), which represents 11,000 residents on the Central Waterfront between Rees and Yonge Streets.
From our front row seats, we have followed the rapid growth of air traffic going past our windows. Our neighbourhood is also Toronto’s favourite recreational area, with 12 million visitors to the Harbourfront area every year. They enjoy outdoor concerts, festivals, sailing, picnics and educational programs.
The City is proud of the Waterfront. Millions of dollars are pouring into revitalizing it, and Mayor Miller says it is the key to Toronto’s future success.
Meanwhile, the airport is growing out of control. Alarming pollution comes with it – air, water and noise pollution. It absolutely diminishes the value of the Waterfront as a place to live and play.
We have condo buildings at the water’s edge, where conversation must stop every time a plane flies by. The air often reeks of fuel, which can be seen floating in the water. Concerts – especially in the Music Garden are interrupted by airplane noise every few minutes. Children have daycare and play school in this compromised environment all summer.
We ask the City and Board of Health to please help us.
· Insist that TCCA reports on all forms of pollution: air, noise and water.
· Work with other City agencies to assess the modeling and monitoring of emissions from TCCA.
· Request regular and timely reports from TCCA, making sure they come from consulting firms that are approved by the City, community groups and TPA (not hand-picked by TPA).
· Ask for the ever-missing NEF contours of this airport, which would control noise and number of flights allowed.
· Stop the de-icing fluids from entering Toronto’s sewer system (as set out in the Tripartite Agreement), and constantly measure the quality of Toronto’s water supply that comes a few meters from this airport.
The Waterfront community is still waiting to be consulted and informed by TPA about airport developments. So is the City, since all TPA meetings are now ‘in camera’ with no reporting from directors allowed.
We are urging the Board of Health to take action. YQNA has asked you to do so several times in the past, and timing is of the essence. We feel the City has been lax by letting this airport and its pollution grow unchecked. Please keep us informed about your activities on our behalf.
Best regards,
James Russell
Planning Committee
York Quay Neighbourhood Association (YQNA)
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