September 7,
2006
Pickering Airport Update - MP
Mark Holland
On September 7, 2006, MP Mark Holland
sent the following e-mail to members of the community who have
expressed a concern about the proposal for an airport in
Pickering and about the management of the Pickering Lands. If
you wish to be added to the list to receive airport updates,
please contact Mark's Ottawa office.
I am writing to give you a further update
on a development concerning the Pickering Lands and proposed
Pickering Airport.
In my last e-mail update, I noted that Transport Minister
Lawrence Cannon had not yet responded to my letter of May 3,
2006 expressing a number of concerns about the airport proposal
and the management of the Pickering Lands. I was also concerned
about the lack of response to other requests for further
information.
I have just received a letter from the Minister dated August 31,
which replies to my letter of May 3 and have posted the text of
this letter on my website. It can be read at:
http://www.markholland.ca/issues/cannonreply31aug06.htm
The letter provides very little new
information, and avoids giving answers to some specific
questions I posed in my previous letter. It does, however,
provide an overview of the government’s policy. I have a number
of concerns about the Minister’s response, but I want to hear
from the community before I respond to him.
In summary, the Minister’s letter says:
-
The Conservative government continues to engage “in
long-term planning to ensure the protection of the Pickering
Lands for future aviation needs”;
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The due diligence review promised by the former Liberal
government will go ahead, however it will simply review
existing planning studies related to a potential future
airport. There will not be an opportunity for general public
participation until the review is complete. There will,
however, be a process (still not disclosed) for public
representatives with expertise in the areas of aviation
demand, airport capacity and ground transportation access to
participate.
-
If the due diligence review results in the government
deciding to proceed with an airport, an environmental
assessment would be held and would involve public
participation.
-
The Minister will not comment on the current eviction
appeals which were heard by the Ontario Rental Housing
Tribunal as these legal proceedings are ongoing.
-
He reiterated that SNC Lavalin ProFac has been engaged to
handle day-to-day matters with tenants, but would not
comment on future plans for demolitions or evictions. The
Minister insists that the current methodology for
terminating tenancies for demolition is “fair and
transparent.” Of course I disagree.
-
There is a general statement that Transport Canada
“considers the local heritage significance of structures,”
but there is no firm commitment expressed to preserve any
buildings.
While I welcome the fact that the Minister
has finally responded – nearly four months after my original
letter – I am concerned that there is not enough transparency
concerning the due diligence review. Pickering residents need to
know that the process is fair and that the right questions are
being considered. For that reason, I very much regret the
government’s decision not to meet with the community. I am also
concerned that the scope of the review is not broad enough if it
only looks at previous studies that have recommended an airport
in Pickering. The review must consider the broader needs of
southern Ontario and seriously consider other alternatives such
as expanding the airport in Hamilton. Furthermore, in looking at
future transportation needs, it must look at changing
transportation patterns as a result of declining use of fossil
fuels and consider alternatives such as high-speed rail. I will
continue to press the Minister to ensure the review is conducted
in an unbiased manner.
I am also very disturbed by the Minister’s suggestion that the
current method of evicting tenants and demolishing houses is
“fair and transparent.” As you probably know, I had urged the
previous minister to implement a more fair and transparent
process, and we had an informal understanding that there would
be a moratorium on further demolitions and evictions until this
was in place. It would be unacceptable if the Minister considers
the current process to be good enough that demolitions and
evictions can resume.
The lack of a clear commitment to protect heritage buildings is
also a big concern. I welcome the fact that the government has
honoured the commitment by the previous government to make
repairs to the Tullis Cottage, but there is no clear statement
of the government’s intent with this heritage building or the
others identified by the community and City of Pickering
Council.
Despite these concerns, I have indicated to the Minister and his
staff that I want to work with them in a constructive and
non-confrontational manner. I will continue to try to do so as
long as the government is prepared to address the community’s
concerns.
In addition to this correspondence with the Minister, I have
been actively pursuing these issues through other means such as
formal Access to Information requests and other legal procedures
to obtain information. I also continue to engage in a dialogue
with members of our community.
I will be responding to the Minister shortly, but meanwhile I
welcome any comments you may have on these issues.
Sincerely,
Mark Holland,
M.P., Ajax-Pickering
(613) 995-8042
Fax: (613) 996-1289
holland.m@parl.gc.ca
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