Recent letters from Brian Iler to the TPA and Transport Minister John Baird on the March 24, 2010 meeting:

TO: Geoffrey Wilson, CEO, Toronto Port Authority

You should be aware of this conduct last night, as outlined by a participant, below.

It was disgraceful, and unacceptable. Please advise how the TPA will address it.

"Brian, you weren’t directly exposed to the consternation of the HCC staff, who just before the meeting began had been intimidated by the TPA officials with their goon standing by them into not following the directions they were apparently given by the HCC’s Executive Director earlier in the day, after my visit with her to prepare for the public meeting about the fixed link tunnel proposal, which, knowing the concerned public’s median age would likely be over 45 and ranging past 80, were to provide the community members attending with chairs and mikes to grant them voice.

 The HCC staff on duty, who are quite young, were so intimidated that they felt they had to disobey the Executive Director’s instructions for the event, and my own as the member of the HCC Board of Management in attendance, to provide the community with the chairs and mikes.  When I nevertheless tried to move the chairs in, the TPA’s hired goon removed them. Consequently the public only obtained chairs part way through the meeting, after the TPA officials reluctantly consented after you and Adam shamed them into it.

That the TPA would hire such a muscled goon is both absolutely astounding and very telling.  Clearly there was no need for security beyond that normally provided by the HCC. So it was a TPA show of force designed to intimidate the public the TPA is chartered to serve. The PM probably needs bodyguards, paid for at public expense, but the employees of the TPA clearly do not when attending a public meeting.  Incredibly disrespectful to the community, as disrespectful as Lisa Raitt, with installed signage and lighting since reluctantly removed, directing TPA and Porter staff and passengers to walk straight through the neighbouring fenced children’s playground next to the ferry dock rather than walking around it on the sidewalks provided for that purpose, just to antagonize the community.  Small muscling matters that add up.

I strongly believe that this most recent instance of disrespect, expressed vocally and physically, for the community  sharing the harbourfront with the TPA needs greater exposure, and a formal TPA Board apology for it. Perhaps others attending will demand it."



TO: John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Mr. Baird, please see a copy of my message to the Toronto Port Authority's CEO, attached.

The conduct of TPA personnel at the meeting last night was shocking, and unbecoming of an agency of your government.

This is not the first time that you have been made aware of similar behaviour.

It is time for your government to take all necessary steps to rein these people in
 
The packed meeting ultimately obtained chairs and a PA system, and after a serious of questions were asked, with few answers provided, the following motions were passed unanimously:
 

   1. That this tunnel proposal is in violation of the Canada Marine Act prohibition of a bridge or similar fixed link to the Island airport, and therefore all work on it must stop.
 
   2. That the scope of this environmental assessment be expanded to address the environmental impact of the dramatic expansion of the commercial operations of the airport to the stated maximum of 212 daily landings and take-offs, of which this tunnel project is but a part.
 
   3. As the law requires public participation in the screening of a project in which there is public interest, and as there is a high level of public interest in this project, that participation by the public must occur, that goes well beyond mere consultation to include public participation in the following decisions:

                                                              i.      The choice of consultants

                                                            ii.      The scope of the EA

                                                          iii.      The types of studies to be done

                                                          iv.      The terms of reference for the required studies

                                                            v.      Determining the manner of public engagement, and

                                                          vi.      Assessment and determination of the EA recommendations

 As we have no confidence that the TPA will act on these decisions from the communities affected by the TPA’s drastic expansion of the Island Airport, we look to your government to ensure these decisions are acted upon.

Brian Iler
Chair, Community AIr