PICKERING IS NOT A WILLING HOST FOR AN AIRPORT!
On April 24, Pickering Council, for the third time in two months, will consider a motion to rescind its support for an airport. They need to hear loud and clear from YOU – especially Pickering residents – that Pickering is not a willing host for an airport!
The confusing background in brief:
On February 27, new Councillors Nagy and Cook moved that the City end its October 2017 support for an airport (tied to the outcome of a needs study for Transport Canada). KPMG found no need and no business case, so the motion calls for the City to stop allocating money and staff time to airport promotion and to focus instead on high-frequency rail and agriculture on the Federal Lands.
So many delegated that night that the vote was delayed to a special March 8 meeting. That day, three councillors (Nagy, Cook, Brenner) supported the motion. Before the fourth councillor could speak, Mayor Ashe interrupted the normal order of things by asking multiple questions of Staff, then saying more information was needed – this on a matter over half a century old! Councillor Robinson moved for a deferral to April 24. Councillor Pickles seconded it, and Councillor Butt and the mayor finished it off.
Mayor Ashe alone supports an airport. Councillors Brenner, Nagy, and Cook are solidly opposed. The three other councillors (those prevented from speaking on March 8) had publicly stated their opposition before bafflingly supporting the mayor’s request to defer.
Councillor Robinson replied to our 2022 election poll this way: “I would support a motion opposing an airport and would urge the Federal Government to protect our farmlands.” Post-election, she confirmed this stance.
Ward 3 Councillors Pickles and Butt have stated repeatedly, over many years, many elections, that they oppose an airport and have always voted against it, assertions they reaffirmed in 2022 at all-candidates meetings, including Claremont’s.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED!
Send letters (or calls) to Council. If you’re a Pickering resident, and especially if Councillors Robinson, Pickles, or Butt are your councillors, tell them to keep their promises. They assured their constituents they opposed an airport, yet voted to defer the motion. Tell them: KEEP YOUR PROMISES!
Email:
sbutt@pickering.ca
dpickles@pickering.ca
lrobinson@pickering.ca
CC: chair@durham.ca, mayor@pickering.ca
Remember:
• Pickering has NO decision-making authority in the matter of an airport. It rests solely with the federal government. Council is limited to deciding whether Pickering is a willing host or not.
• Don’t be misled by questions or claims about types of airport. There is no airport. There is no business case. In 1972, Ottawa’s aim was a huge international airport. It came to nothing. Many scenarios have since been discussed/examined but never acted on (for good reason). Transport Canada’s position today: it hasn’t made a decision to build an airport. Anyone claiming to know what is being “planned” is blowing smoke.
READ THE ENTIRE EDITION OF OUR APRIL UPDATE NEWSLETTER HERE