Toronto Council meets today!
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Councillor Stephen Holyday says he is "REALLY ANGRY."
"What I see is a city disintegrating and a lack of leadership on all of this!" He's mad, he says, because Metrolinx took some land on Eglington West for the LRT and no one cared, but now people are mad about the airport land.
Holday also argues that wards in Etobicoke and North York are already subject to airplane noise from Pearson, so he doesn't see why the waterfront wards should be spared from additional island airport impacts.
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Holday also argues that wards in Etobicoke and North York are already subject to airplane noise from Pearson, so he doesn't see why the waterfront wards should be spared from additional island airport impacts.
"If you don't understand the economic interest in having a successful international airport ... the problem is not with the policy, the problem is with YOU," concludes Holyday, suggesting councillors who oppose this should run for provincial office.
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"If you don't understand the economic interest in having a successful international airport ... the problem is not with the policy, the problem is with YOU," concludes Holyday, suggesting councillors who oppose this should run for provincial office.
"If you're not at the table, then you're on the menu," says Councillor Brad Bradford. He argues that Chow and council failed to commit to a "long-term vision" for the airport in 2024, which led to this move for the provincial and federal govs to go forward without the city.
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"If you don't understand the economic interest in having a successful international airport ... the problem is not with the policy, the problem is with YOU," concludes Holyday, suggesting councillors who oppose this should run for provincial office.
Oh sit down Holyday you sack of gas.
Pearson has been slinging jets since it was Malton airport. People who live under its flightpaths have known what they're signing up for decades.
People who buy residential propertly along the lakefront by BB might reasonably assume that a Dash-8 might be the worst they could expect because its the biggest/loudest the airport can handle w/o expansion; and who'd want to try and cram more airport there? there's no room!
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"If you're not at the table, then you're on the menu," says Councillor Brad Bradford. He argues that Chow and council failed to commit to a "long-term vision" for the airport in 2024, which led to this move for the provincial and federal govs to go forward without the city.
Mayor Chow is up. "Let us not twist truth," she says in response to Bradford. "We have a vision of the waterfront! We've said we have one. We said we will negotiate this master plan, this tripartite agreement!"
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Mayor Chow is up. "Let us not twist truth," she says in response to Bradford. "We have a vision of the waterfront! We've said we have one. We said we will negotiate this master plan, this tripartite agreement!"
"In my mind, democracy matters," says Chow.
"We are a level of government that is one of the biggest in the country. We have a huge budget. And we have to be part of the conversation."
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"In my mind, democracy matters," says Chow.
"We are a level of government that is one of the biggest in the country. We have a huge budget. And we have to be part of the conversation."
"On Monday, we heard that land will be expropriated. Which land? What land? Has anyone seen the plan? Has anyone seen precisely what kind of tripartite agreement is going to be acceptable? Is there a plan? If there is, it's a mystery to me," says Chow of the island airport.
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"On Monday, we heard that land will be expropriated. Which land? What land? Has anyone seen the plan? Has anyone seen precisely what kind of tripartite agreement is going to be acceptable? Is there a plan? If there is, it's a mystery to me," says Chow of the island airport.
"We are not shutting down that airport," says Chow, noting that the priority should actually be for Billy Bishop to get the approved runway extensions done so they can meet federal safety regulations.
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"We are not shutting down that airport," says Chow, noting that the priority should actually be for Billy Bishop to get the approved runway extensions done so they can meet federal safety regulations.
Saying this is basically a done deal, Holyday asks Chow what the city's plan will be to handle increased traffic around the island airport after it's expanded. Chow says there can't be a plan yet because nobody even knows what Ford's plan is for the airport exactly.
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Saying this is basically a done deal, Holyday asks Chow what the city's plan will be to handle increased traffic around the island airport after it's expanded. Chow says there can't be a plan yet because nobody even knows what Ford's plan is for the airport exactly.
I'm not sure where the number comes from, but Fletcher and Chow are now talking about Ford wanting to increase the number of island airport passengers from ~2 million annually today to 10 million.
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"We firmly say, and we demand, a seat at the table. We deserve it, and there is no table without us," says Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik.
"Everything has been put at risk, and we simply cannot take the premier's word that he somehow has the city of Toronto's interest at heart."
@GraphicMatt 🥺 no kidding!
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I'm not sure where the number comes from, but Fletcher and Chow are now talking about Ford wanting to increase the number of island airport passengers from ~2 million annually today to 10 million.
At ten million annual passengers, Billy Bishop would be the fifth busiest airport in the country, surpassing Halifax (4.1 million), Winnipeg (4.4 million), Ottawa (4.9 million), and Edmonton (8.1 million)
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At ten million annual passengers, Billy Bishop would be the fifth busiest airport in the country, surpassing Halifax (4.1 million), Winnipeg (4.4 million), Ottawa (4.9 million), and Edmonton (8.1 million)
Councillor Mike Colle moves to request the federal government conduct a safety study before agreeing on any island airport expansion. Nunziata says his motion is out of order because it's beyond what council is debating today.
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Councillor Mike Colle moves to request the federal government conduct a safety study before agreeing on any island airport expansion. Nunziata says his motion is out of order because it's beyond what council is debating today.
Time to vote. Matlow’s motion calling for a report to the next council meeting on legal options for the city to defend its waterfront land, including the island airport land, CARRIES 21-3.

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Time to vote. Matlow’s motion calling for a report to the next council meeting on legal options for the city to defend its waterfront land, including the island airport land, CARRIES 21-3.

The island airport item, declaring that Toronto is opposed to any unilateral expropriation of city land by the provincial and federal government, CARRIES 22-3.

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The island airport item, declaring that Toronto is opposed to any unilateral expropriation of city land by the provincial and federal government, CARRIES 22-3.

(I believe Councillor Mike Colle was recorded in the negative on those airport items because he was boycotting the vote, but need to confirm.)
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(I believe Councillor Mike Colle was recorded in the negative on those airport items because he was boycotting the vote, but need to confirm.)
Up now: looking a gift park in the mouth? The Weston Foundation wants to give Toronto $50 million to transform Queen's Park North. But nearby resident groups are not big fans of the design concept, especially a proposed raised "tree walk" and washroom/cafe structure https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3

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Up now: looking a gift park in the mouth? The Weston Foundation wants to give Toronto $50 million to transform Queen's Park North. But nearby resident groups are not big fans of the design concept, especially a proposed raised "tree walk" and washroom/cafe structure https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3

On the Queen's Park North item, Councillor Dianne Saxe moves a long motion to give staff more time to review the design proposal, include public art, and look at the business plan for the cafe.
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On the Queen's Park North item, Councillor Dianne Saxe moves a long motion to give staff more time to review the design proposal, include public art, and look at the business plan for the cafe.
"One of the suggestions at the Design Review Committee, which I have to say is at least intriguing, is to put a slide down the back of the horse," notes Councillor Saxe of the Queen's Park North statue of King Edward on a horse. She says it'd be fun for kids, but doubts it'll happen.
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"One of the suggestions at the Design Review Committee, which I have to say is at least intriguing, is to put a slide down the back of the horse," notes Councillor Saxe of the Queen's Park North statue of King Edward on a horse. She says it'd be fun for kids, but doubts it'll happen.
After supportive words from Matlow and Fletcher, Saxe's motion on the Queen's Park North item CARRIES via show of hands. New report on the Weston-funded design is due in June.