In addition to being unique as part of (and yet a haven from) both heavily populated and huge commercial areas of the Province’s capitol city, the charm of being accessible only by water has been vastly under-rated.  The sheer novelty amuses and delights tourists.  They throng on the ferry decks and the Islands shores to take pictures of the Toronto skyline.  There is absolutely no other comparable way to capture that view at any time of the day or season of the year, as professional photographers constantly demonstrate.  Visitors marvel at the swarms of small sailboats in the harbour.  They delight in the absence of extreme Disney-type of commercialism in the entertainment area, where families can spend an entire fun-filled day without feeling gouged and let down.  It is an utterly fascinating anachronism in big-city life.

 Its very existence is imperiled by the TPA and Porter Airlines!  They have mounted an incessant, unremitting PR campaign for 10 years!  Once again, they are promoting a fixed link to the airport, PLUS a perimeter road!  They have not learned that NO means NO. Toronto citizens do not want fixed access OR an expanded airport. 

 In 2002, former Mayor David Crombie and urban advocate Jane Jacobs joined forces with environmentalists, architects, concerned Toronto citizens and waterfront residents to oppose airport expansion as endangering safety and quality of life. Why has the TPA, with the assistance of the Federal Government, encouraged unwanted and unnecessary expansion of an airport that has always existed mainly as a semi-private shuttle for an elite downtown niche market of well-heeled businessmen, lobbyists and government employees?  Pearson is far more practical for anyone traveling from other city areas.

 I truly believe that the existence of Toronto Islands as a heritage and green oasis is in peril. At the very least, the question of greatly expanded airport and pedestrian tunnel plus a perimeter road should be included on the ballot for the next municipal election.  Since there is a Tripartite Agreement, perhaps provincial and federal politicians should be involved. Meanwhile, the TPA should be ordered immediately by the federal government to put a hold on all further TPA/Island plans and purchases in order to prevent another premature and costly fiasco like the bridge scandal.

 Shirley Bush,