VIDEO: Porter Airlines announces purchase of Bombardier jets – April 10, 2013
TORONTO – Toronto city council took the first step towards letting Porter Airlines land jets at Billy Bishop Airport Tuesday evening, by asking staff to study the issue. But they don’t want Porter to pay for it.
The motion commissions a report investigating the consequences to the surrounding community and city infrastructure, as well as any noise that may be generated as a result of Bombardier jets landing near the city’s downtown.
City council also amended the motion to remove a recommendation that Porter Airlines pay for the million-dollar study.
Now they expect the Toronto Port Authority to foot the bill.
The motion passed 29-15 with a notable no vote from Pam McConnell, whose ward includes the island airport.
The motion includes several amendments to protect Lake Ontario and parks in the area.
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Councillor Adam Vaughan, who voted against the motion, says he won’t support jets at Billy Bishop Airport.
“We have one lake, we have but one lake to draw our drinking water from, to watch sunsets, to have boats sail in,” Vaughan said. “We are not going to sacrifice our own lake for one person’s industrial ambitions.”
In order for Porter Airlines to land their newly acquired Bombardier CS100 jets at the island airport they’ll need the city, the Toronto Port Authority and the federal government to agree on changes to the 1983 Tripartite Agreement which prohibits jets from landing at the island airport.
It’s unclear how council is leaning, although Mayor Rob Ford has already signalled his support for the plan. Porter Airlines representatives have been frequently meeting with city staff and councillors ahead of the debate.
City documents reveal that Porter CEO Robert Deluce and Executive Vice-President Jeffrey Brown have communicated with councillors or city staff 225 times since December 2012.
The communications include telephone, written and face-to-face communications.
According to city documents, Deluce or Brown communicated with Councillor Doug Ford eight times, Councillor Karen Stintz seven times, and McConnell just twice.
The two Porter Airlines executives have met with Mayor Rob Ford four times.
But Porter’s lobbying of councillors is just part of a larger public relations campaign.
Last week, the airline launched a website for people to voice their support to their local councillor.
The airline also sent an e-mail to customers asking them to join their effort and support the expansion.
Councillor who voted for the motion: Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailao, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Mike Del Grand, Frank Di Giorgio, John Filion, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Mark Grimes, Doug holyday, Norm Kelly, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Peter Milczyn, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata, Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Michael Thompson.
Councillors who voted against the motion: Shelley Carroll, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baremaeker, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Maria Fragedakis, Mike Layton, Pam McConnell, Gloria Margaret-McMahon, Joe Mihevc, John Parker, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam.
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