Focus On The Lands, 2019-2020

Number of Articles: 112

No government fix for people wanting refunds for cancelled flights

Publication Date: June 1, 2020

Not, strictly speaking, a Focus on the Lands article, but we’ve included it here because it contains the following quote from Transport Minister Marc Garneau: "There’s no question, the airline industry, and I include the airports and NAV Can, which is our air traffic controller, have been disproportionately hit by this pandemic. In some cases their future is in jeopardy." This is why urging the building of a Pickering airport now – assuming the federal government ever approved such a thing – is “plane stupid.”Western Aviation News

We do not need another Mirabel: Pickering reader

Publication Date: May 29, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Food/Water/Agriculture

(letter to the editor) Writer responds to the May 23 letter (see “Time to build…”), pointing out that the Pickering Lands should be used to grow food, not used for an unneeded airport.durhamregion.com

Time to build Pickering airport

Publication Date: May 23, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

(letter to the editor) A mind-twisting “build it now” argument, within the context of a deepening climate crisis, and a global pandemic that has brought global aviation to a virtual standstill, with no certain recovery timeline or pathway ahead.durhamregion.com

Pickering airport supporters say report confirms the need for facility

Publication Date: March 5, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

The first part of Transport Canada’s KPMG Report is released. The local Pickering airport article keeps being updated and keeps changing its focus. After speaking with our Chair it reported that the airport wasn’t needed. Then, after speaking with local politicians, it reported that the airport would be needed by 2036. Where lies the truth? In the report, of course, which states this: “Although all four scenarios identify minor capacity deficits, these can be overcome with modest expansions in aircraft apron and air terminal facilities at the airports in the southern Ontario airport system. Therefore, a new airport is not expected to be required in southern Ontario prior to 2036 to meet the forecast demand. … anticipated increases in the capacity of the southern Ontario airport system are expected to be sufficient to handle projected traffic demand within the 20 year planning horizon of this study.” KPMG didn’t look beyond the period of the study, but the gap they cite between demand forecasts and airport capacity limits at the 2036 point show that no airport will be needed in any foreseeable future. durhamregion.com

KPMG report says no need for Pickering Airport before 2036

Publication Date: March 5, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Other media coverage of the release of the KPMG study.oshawaexpress.ca

No need for an airport in Pickering for at least 18 years: report

Publication Date: March 5, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

More media coverage on the release of the KPMG study.Durhamregionnews.com

Court rules Heathrow expansion plan illegal over climate impact

Publication Date: February 27, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change

In a complex court decision, Heathrow airport expansion has hit a legal snag, which could well have an impact on all future infrastructure proposals, including those for airports (e.g., Pickering). The UK Court of Appeal used a technicality to rule against Heathrow's expansion – the Department for Transport's "Airports National Policy Statement", which included Heathrow's expansion, failed to take into account climate change commitments made by the UK when it signed up to the Paris Agreement in 2015. The UK government declined to appeal, but Heathrow has appealed the decision to the Supreme Court. Whatever happens, this ruling has set a worldwide precedent and other challenges to other infrastructure projects are now being considered.E&T: Engineering and Technology

‘Make life better for Durham residents’: John Henry boasts about Durham in annual address

Publication Date: February 21, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change, Food/Water/Agriculture

Our Regional Chair continues to promote Pickering airport as the way to a better life, just days after presiding over council’s climate emergency declaration. He’s still pushing a “carbon-neutral airport” (something that doesn’t exist and can’t, while planes burn fossil fuel). He’s still pushing vertical agriculture although it isn’t competitive in this part of Ontario. He’s still pushing sustainable aviation, although no one knows what that could be. He’s still quoting job numbers for an airport that has never been approved and whose function, if ever approved, has not been determined. He says that “vertical and indoor farming are changing the agriculture sector” – which isn’t really true.durhamregion.com

Residents call for Climate Action in Durham

Publication Date: February 6, 2020

Tags: Climate Change

More coverage of Durham Region's climate emergency declaration.durhamregion.com

Durham declares climate emergency

Publication Date: February 1, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change

Durham Region declares a climate emergency – almost unanimously. The declaration has solid, far-reaching objectives for lowing emissions, but do the politicians?durhamregion.com

Durham climate change emergency declaration passes!

Publication Date: January 29, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change

Our Youth Wing chair tells Regional Council prior to the vote that pushing for a new airport, as the Region is constantly doing, is “flat-out incompatible” with declaring a climate change emergency.landoverlandings.com

Toronto Buttonville Airport site going up for sale

Publication Date: January 29, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Cadillac Fairview has decided to concentrate on other ventures after endless wrangling and OMB hearings over its ambitious development plans for the airport site. Will some other developer have better luck? Or will Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport carry on?renx.ca

Sometimes, I kind of wished I lived in Sudbury

Publication Date: January 28, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

(letter to the editor) Our Chair responds to Steve May’s Jan. 24 article.Sudbury Star

No new airport in Pickering in a time of climate change

Publication Date: January 24, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change

The folly of building unneeded new airport infrastructure during a time of climate crisis is clearly presented here by columnist Steve May.Sudbury Star

New year sparks renewed interest in Pickering airport

Publication Date: January 14, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

A well-reported article on the history and current status of the Pickering airport idea. Oshawa Express

Will there ever be a Pickering airport?

Publication Date: January 9, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

A blogger for COPA, Canada's general aviation lobby group, suggests that local politicians promoting Pickering airport could learn from the lessons of Mirabel airport.COPA

FACT CHECK!

Publication Date: January 7, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Our alert to the public to beware of articles such as those recently posted to the Narcity site. Land Over Landings

The “new” Pickering airport has actually been in the works for half a century

Publication Date: January 4, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

A different contributor's article, mildly correcting bits of the Jan. 3 piece. It's really not clear what this writer is trying to get across. narcity.com

After decades in limbo, 2020 could be a critical year for the Pickering Airport

Publication Date: January 3, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Local politicians continue to promote Pickering airport. Our Regional Chair continues to cite 150,000 jobs but offers no supporting facts. "We have a tremendous opportunity here to do something that really has never been done before," he says. He misrepresents the findings of the 2010 Needs Assessment Report. Our own Chair is also interviewed, and calls out the greenwashing (and worse) that our local politicians are indulging in.cbc.ca

The GTA could actually be getting a massive new airport to rival Pearson

Publication Date: January 3, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

An article that’s a tad skimpy on original reporting and on fact-checking. It starts: "It was announced on Friday...” The truth (confirmed by Ottawa): Nothing about Pickering airport was announced last Friday. Narcity appears to be a platform for anyone who wants to submit anything. No mediation of content, no requirement to cite sources Beware fake news.narcity.com

2020 will deliver promise, progress and excitement to Pickering

Publication Date: January 1, 2020

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Mayor Ryan is first out of the 2020 gate. Durham's politicians are eternal optimists about Pickering airport.durhamregion.com

Pickering airport debate could come to a head in 2020

Publication Date: December 30, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Mayor Ryan ends 2019 with his New Year’s wish list, with Pickering airport at the top. He says the Minister of Transport has sent him a letter saying that the latest study report on the matter is being analyzed by Transport Canada. What letter might that be? When was it received? Facts, please.durhamregion.com

Pickering airport debate could come to a head in 2020

Publication Date: December 30, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

This article initially read: “Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan, who supports the airport’s construction, said he received a letter from Marc Garneau, the federal minister of transport, informing him the report was now in the hands of the Ontario Ministry of Transport and being analyzed." This prompted a lot of questions about Ontario's involvement in the Pickering airport decision. The article now reads: "Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan, who supports the airport’s construction, said he received a letter from Marc Garneau, the federal minister of transport, informing him the report was now in the hands of the Transport Canada and being analyzed." There have been no new developments since Transport Canada received the final KPMG report last June.durhamregion.com

These are the job sectors that have a chance to flourish in Durham over the next 20 years

Publication Date: December 27, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

In this "what if" peek into a future in which economic development experts who were interviewed for the article weren’t holding their breath for a Pickering airport, the Region’s chair, John Henry, shows himself undeterred by their practicality and still cites 150,000 new jobs ahead in a Region he calls “the next spot for the aerospace industry.”durhamregion.com

Support for Pickering airport not coming from residents

Publication Date: November 13, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

(letter to the editor) A Pickering airport is a priority only for developers and local politicians, not for Durham Region residents.durhamregion.com

New Pickering airport offers real estate investor a list of benefits

Publication Date: October 31, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Article misrepresents the federal government’s intent in 1972, the provincial Places to Grow Act, the conclusions of the 2010 Needs Assessment Report, Mayor Ryan’s campaign platform, and Pearson’s growth ability, and treats approach paths over parkland as a benefit. Selling real estate: time to buy a house next door to a potential airport! GTA Homes: Realinsights

Pickering airport debate picks up speed following federal election

Publication Date: October 28, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Airport debate continues but not sure if it’s picking up. It’s more like business as usual.durhamregion.com

Analysis: Is support building for an airport in north Pickering?

Publication Date: October 26, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

New reporter on the beat says he feels support shifting towards a Pickering airport. He cites the actions and words of municipal politicians for his claim but no stats showing what the majority of the public thinks, and the material he quotes from our website doesn’t support his conclusions. However, Mayor Ryan must be pleased.durhamregion.com

Pickering airport would impact, even end, outdoor film projects

Publication Date: October 25, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

(letter to the editor) A Pickering airport would destroy the lucrative television and film shoots that depend on unique, picturesque – and quiet – rural locations in north Pickering/Uxbridge and provide revenue now.durhamregion.com

I’ll keep working hard for this community: O’Connell wins second term

Publication Date: October 22, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change

Our re-elected MP discusses Pickering airport: “If there is a serious conversation about an airport it would be pretty hard to have that conversation and not look at it through a climate lens,” she said, “[…] but it’s too early to speculate in terms of what the next steps would be.”durhamregion.com

A Pickering airport doesn’t make sense

Publication Date: October 19, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change

(letter to the editor) Re "Now's the time" op-ed: Writer delivers a reality check: “The world is in survivor mode.”thestar.com

An airport is the wrong idea for the eastern suburbs

Publication Date: October 17, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

(letter to the editor) Re “Eastern suburbs” letter: Writer details why the eastern suburbs deserve something better than an airport. thestar.com

Eastern suburbs deserve their own airport

Publication Date: October 16, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

(letter to the editor) "Geriatric old hippies" are apparently keeping the deserving from a Pickering airport!thestar.com

Now’s the time for new GTA airport

Publication Date: October 11, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

The development industry supports Pickering airport. No surprise; they also sponsored the speakers at the East GTA Economic Engine event in April. Many of the Toronto Star's local weekly newspapers carry the same article the following week and it also runs in the Toronto Sun. A concerted marketing effort.thestar.com

The need is now for Pickering airport, delegation tells executive committee

Publication Date: October 9, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

A pro-airport group presents its views to Pickering Council.durhamregion.com

Seaton community begins to take shape in north Pickering

Publication Date: October 7, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Pickering’s mayor promotes Seaton and a new airport. However, a new Seaton resident says, “I hope there is no airport. I seriously hope there is no airport, [...] I just don’t want something like that so close to me. I like the quietness.”durhamregion.com

Candidates weigh in on Pickering airport at forum

Publication Date: October 1, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Comments by local federal candidates about Pickering airport at Board of Trade forum.durhamregion.com

A lot can change in 20 years

Publication Date: September 26, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change

(letter to the editor) The writer wonders how future generations will view an airport built on prime agricultural land, and urges serious thought about the implications of today’s lifestyle.durhamregion.com

Is climate change an emergency? The Town of Ajax says yes

Publication Date: September 18, 2019

Tags: Climate Change

Town of Ajax Council unanimously votes to declare a climate emergency. Earlier this year, the same council voted to support building Pickering airport.durhamregion.com

Stouffville council, MP, speak out against development of Pickering Airport

Publication Date: September 9, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports

Local news coverage of Stouffville's decision to oppose development of Pickering airport.YorkRegion.com

Airport noise will negatively impact people across Durham Region

Publication Date: August 29, 2019

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change, Environment

(op-ed) “We are not living in the 1950s or 1960s environment anymore, and it is about time the politicians realized that we are in 2019 high pollution levels!”durhamregion.com