We’ve been advised that the TPA has negotiated another “Master Agreement” with the City of Toronto.

Contrary to Mayor Ford’s insistence that all dealings with City property be transparent and follow standard tendering procedures, this deal gives the TPA a lease of City property near the silos on Bathurst Quay for a below market $3 per foot per year.

There has been no consultation with the communities affected on this deal, meant to facilitate the TPA’s boondoggle $60 Million tunnel. The tunnel remains illegal, although the federal government is now considering changing the law to legalize it.

The deal includes agreement to dismantle and move the heritage terminal in four pieces to Downsview, as it is in the way of the tunnel.

No environmental assessment or heritage review has taken place on this planned heritage move.

The deal does not address the unpaid $43 Million of property taxes.

It does not address the extinguishment of the 100’ easement across Little Norway Park that the City unfortunately gave the TPA in the 1990’s.

It does not address the horrendous taxi congestion.

It does not address the ever-increasing  amount of noise created by this airport in breach of the tripartite agreement – which the City has the duty to enforce.

It does not address the need to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases – of which short-haul flights , such as those emanating from the Island Airport, are significant contributors, on a per-passenger basis.

The report is found at http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.CC10.5

The report does give away an easement allowing the tunnel to be built through the City’s property. The recommendation is:

” Council determine that the requirements to give notice to the public of the proposed disposition and to obtain an appraisal of the fair market value with respect to the disposition of the Dockwall Easement do not apply”

Last week, the City proposed to slide this onto the agenda of this week’s  Council meeting without the usual committee review. Councillor Adam Vaughan properly objected, as there had been no consultation on  so many aspects of this deal  Without his consent, it could not proceed. The Mayor has declared that this is such an emergency that Councillor Vaughan’s objection should be overridden.

Brian Iler