Feds delay Port Authority ruling another 6 weeks

Oct. 15 set as new date for release of the Tassé report. Chow seeks moratorium on all airport activities

Federal Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon announced Aug. 24 that the long-awaited review of the Toronto Port Authority, due out on Sept. 1, has been delayed until Oct. 15.

NDP Waterfront Critic Olivia Chow responded to the delay in the Tassé review of the TPA today by calling on Cannon to put an immediate moratorium on all activities from the Toronto Island airport.

Chow, who is MP for Trinity-Spadina where the Island airport is located, further called on Cannon to prevent the issuing of an Air Operators Certificate from Transport Canada which would allow flights to resume from the Island airport as early as this fall.

“It is unacceptable for the continued expansion of the island airport and for new flights to start while this review is ongoing.” said Chow. “Given the secretive and scandal ridden history of the Toronto Port Authority, today’s move by Minister Cannon will be seen as an open door for the resumption of flights at the airport.”

“With the temporary installation of the innovative new design for the waterfront, the past weeks have seen a dramatic increase of people strolling, biking and enjoying our waterfront. The permanent revitalization of the waterfront cannot occur unless the minister shows decisive leadership and finally takes action to stop the unfettered expansion of the Island airport. That is what we need at the Toronto waterfront, and it is what the people who live here want.”

Chow was joined in her demand for a moratorium by both Helen Kennedy and Adam Vaughn, the leading candidates for the Trinity-Spadina seat she vacated.