A report from the Toronto City Centre Airport Association
It is the strong support of this “Friends of the TCCA
Community” that led to the successful outcome of October 24 critical joint
meeting of the City’s Planning & Transportation Committee and Economic
Development & Parks Committee.
Many supporters stayed in Council Chambers until the vote was taken at about
4:30 a.m. the next day.
In the end, the Committees supported the airport with nine Councilors voting to
support the fixed link, and five were opposed. Further, a recommendation by City
planning staff that passenger levels at the Airport be capped at 600,000
passengers per year was voted down by Councilors who realized that the TCCA is
already constrained by the number daily aircraft movements (i.e.,
take-offs/landings) that can take place, and that another constraint is
unnecessary.
The recommendations from the joint committee meeting will now be forwarded to
City Council for final debate at the end of November (November 26, 27 or 28).
We cannot assume that this will be an easy win at Council. We will again need as
many supporters as possible to attend the City Council debate in November.
Deputations will not be heard, but COPA members’ presence at the meeting will go
a long way towards ensuring that the final outcome is positive.
We all have reason to be very pleased with this major step forward. We only
achieved this success because we worked as a cohesive team with a unified voice.
Thanks to those who deputed, wrote supportive letters, phoned their City
Councilors, or attended the October 8th/24th committee meetings. We are one step
closer to ensuring the future of one of Toronto’s greatest assets.
Thanks for your continued support.
Friends of the TCCA.