But the federal outfit figures its precious site on our lakeshore is only worth the same tax value as if it were out in the boondocks, like Pearson
By Frank Touby –

Art by AlexandraHighCrest.com
Toronto city council has narrowly defeated a move by the Toronto Port Authority (TPA) to duck tax fees it should pay for its primo position on our lakeshore. But the battle isn’t over. TPA is a body that many think shouldn’t exist because it is a boondoggle that was promoted by ex-MP Dennis Mills (Lib. Toronto-Danforth) who was subsequently defeated by Jack Layton in large part because of that move.
TPA is the smallest port authority in Canada and actually was too tiny under law to be made a port authority. Nonetheless, where there’s political money to be granted to friendly parties with deep pockets, there are exceptions to be made.
Needless to say the Harper Tories readily adopted the TPA as a long-lost but filthy-rich sibling. And the residents of Queens Quay endure the noise, traffic, congestion and hazards of an airport catering to elite travellers, especially those dashing off to Ottawa.
The move by city councillors to reverse an earlier vote that would have accepted pennies on the dollar of taxes due (technically called Payment In Lieu of Taxes, or PILT), councillors from the Real City of Toronto (sans the amalgamated suburbs) hope to at least get taxes commensurate to the value of the land TPA occupies.
TPA argues it should pay the same rate Pearson Airport pays for land it occupies in the hinterlands, where nuisance and disruption is minimal compared to what TPA forces Downtown residents to endure.