Jet opponents fear pollution will harm respiratory health

Harrison Lowman –

According to some, Porter’s plans to extend its runway and add jets to its fleet might shorten travel times for Torontonians, but it could also shorten their lives.

That was the message touted by “Citizens for a Healthy Toronto Waterfront”. The organization gathered on Oct. 30 at Metro Hall to discuss what they believe are serious threats to human, environmental, and wildlife health, if Porter Airlines’ plans go through.

The event was sponsored by city councillor Adam Vaughan, who is an outspoken critic of the expansion of Billy Bishop Airport. Representatives from Porter Airlines did not attend.

“You smell kerosene. You smell it in Little Norway Park, in the Music Garden, and also in Coronation Park. It’s enough to make you headachy and nauseous,” says Bathurst Quay resident and Community Air member Heather Johnson.

The cancer survivor, who suffered from a respiratory condition from inhaling dangerous materials during a work accident, says Porter planes are releasing fumes that she can smell. She worries about there being more if Porter’s plans are approved. “I’m just smelling the fumes all the time and I’m worrying what it’s doing to me.”

Her neighbour and fellow member Brenda Roman says she can smell the fumes as well. In 2009 she was diagnosed with lung conditions. She says she feels she will die earlier if Porter’s plans go through.

Dr. Pieter Josef Jugovic, also voiced his concerns regarding respiratory health. The family physician, who lived on the waterfront for nine years, spoke during the event about what he believes will be an increase in harmful air pollution, if the Downtown welcomes jets to its runways and additional car traffic to the waterfront.

“The bottom line is air pollution really equals inflammation,” says Jugovic. “And it’s that inflammation that causes things like heart disease, like strokes.”

Jugovic calls individuals like Johnson and Roman “canaries in the mineshaft”—those who already have respiratory problems and whose sensitivities mean they are the first to be affected by air pollution. During his presentation, he quoted a 2007 report by Toronto Public Health, which stated that, “traffic pollution gives rise to about 440 premature deaths and 1,700 hospitalizations each year in Toronto.”

Jugovic also mentioned an October report by the World Health Organization that declared air pollution to be a carcinogen.

Porter Airlines believes residents must acknowledge that pollution concerns will be accessed and explained to city hall in the final report, before becoming overly distressed.

“We should all really take a step back and understand that this work is being done,” says Porter spokesman Brad Cicero. “And it’s being done by professionals and all those things will be available.”

Cicero says additions to Porter’s fleet would add only one or two more fuel deliveries each day.

He adds that blame for a congested waterfront cannot be placed solely on the shoulders of the airline. He mentions the Gardiner, special events, and construction.

This April, Porter Airlines announced it had tentatively ordered 12 CS100 Bombardier Whisper Jets, a purchase worth about $2.08 billion US dollars.

The company currently operates Q400 turboprops, but would like to access further destinations (Los Angeles, Florida…etc.) using what they describe as the quietest jet in production.

In September, Porter Airlines proposed 200 metre runway extensions at each end of its east-west runway, which would allow their jets to land.

Meeting these requests would require amendments to the Tripartite Agreement, an agreement made between the Toronto Harbour Commission (now the Toronto Port Authority), city hall and Transport Canada in 1983. The agreement limits the use of the airport and its aircraft; it essentially bans the use of jets.

City staff are hoping to have a report (funded by the Toronto Port Authority) regarding impacts on the environment, health, traffic, noise, the economy and marine use, before the executive committee of council on Dec. 5. Council would then vote on the decision later that month. If approved, Porter’s first new planes would likely be delivered in 2016.

Citizens for a Healthy Toronto Waterfront say they believe the Porter-funded health impact assessment regarding the airport expansion was rushed, biased, and restrictive.

The group is hoping to deliver their manifesto to councillors in advance of the executive committee meeting.