Mixed feelings over airport dominate Bathurst Quay AGM discussion

By Jon Stoller –

Condo development and the Island Airport topped the agenda at the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood’s (BQNA) annual general meeting on May 24.

The organization—which aims to improve the quality of individual and community life for residents from Stadium Rd. to Spadina, Lake Shore Blvd. to Lake Ontario—meets regularly in the summer to discuss issues that effect the community.

“I just feel this community has deteriorated in the last ten years,” said

BQNA member and concerned citizen Corrie Galloway, explaining why she attends. “Kids are at risk from taxis, the noise is disgusting, the smell [from the airport] is bad.”

BQNA member Tony Makepeace began the meeting with a recap of last year’s developments, and noted that airport issues have dominated their agenda. “It’s been so crucial, and had such a big impact,” he said.

Many citizens present acknowledged their frustrations with the noise, pollution, and traffic congestion caused by the aiport, the development of which has continued unhindered despite community concerns.

“We have to eliminate the airport,” said one citizen. “It’s ridiculous.”

Another complained that “the noise has increased exponentially” in the past few months, despite the erection of sound barriers. “What’s the use in complaining?” said another. “You can’t get through.”

Still others acknowledged that the community is not unanimous in their beliefs—which makes progress all the more difficult. According to Galloway, many community members have jobs at the airport, or support the convenience and economic benefits that a better-developed airport could bring.

Trinity-Spadina MPP Rosario Marchese, who was there to provide a provincial update, was much more blunt in his assessment. “When you have a mayor that likes the airport, and most city councilors do as well, and you have a federal government that basically has the power to do what it wants through the Toronto Port Authority, it’s tough,” he said. “You’re fighting an incredibly difficult battle.”

When it was his turn to speak, Marchese steered the topic towards the issue of condo development, and specifically his efforts to amend the Condo Act, or Bill 72, which has not been modified since 1998.

“The government has simply taken a back seat, and allowed construction to happen,” said Marchese. “I introduced my Bill on May 10 for the fourth time,” he added, noting that he hopes the latest version makes the condo act “more reflective of the changes, and more responsive to consumer needs.”

The most significant change the bill proposes is the establishment of a Condo Review Board, which would allow for faster, less expensive dispute resolutions for condo owners.

“The biggest problem is that when construction is shoddy you have nowhere to go except the court system,” said Marchese, “and most people don’t go to court because they simply can’t afford it.”

Bill 72 would also require property managers to be licensed to help ensure that they are properly qualified to deal with the concerns of condo owners.

Also present at the meeting was Franz Hartmann, executive director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA), who gave a 15-minute talk on environmental issues in Toronto. His organization aims to promote a greener, healthier Toronto by advocating environmentally friendly policies and initiatives within communities.

For more information about the BQNA or to become a member, visit www.bqna.org.