Proposed Pickering Airport Site Zoning Regulations
Open House Consultation
Summary Report
Introduction:
The proposed Pickering Airport Site Zoning Regulations were published in the Canada
Gazette, Part I, on April 12, 2003, and April 19, 2003.
Airport Zoning Regulations (AZR) are enacted in accordance with the federal
Aeronautics Act to ensure that development of the land, adjacent to and in the vicinity of
an airport or airport site, is undertaken in a manner that is safe for the operation of an
airport or aircraft. The AZR process represents prudent long-term planning so that,
when demand dictates, a safe and viable airport remains an option for local interests. It
does not imply that a decision to proceed with an airport has been made.
Transport Canada published notices in local community newspapers (Toronto Star,
Toronto L’Express, Oshawa Le Metro Courier, Mississauga Metropolitan, Ajax-Pickering
News Advertiser, Oshawa Whitby/Clarington/Port Perry this Week, Markham Economist
and Sun, Stouffville Sun/Tribune, Uxbridge Times/Journal) to advise the public of the
pre-publication of the Pickering Airport Site Zoning Regulations (PASZR) in Canada
Gazette, Part One, and to invite interested parties to find out more about the proposed
Pickering Airport Site Zoning Regulations by attending an Open House. A total of nine
Open House consultations were held between April 28 and May 31, 2003. The weekday
sessions were held between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and those on Saturday were held
between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the following locations:
Scugog
April 28,2003
Scugog Community Centre, 1665 Reach St, Scugog
Markham
April 30, 2003
Civic Complex, Canada Room, 101 Town Centre Blvd. Markham
Whitby
May 2, 2003
Oddfellows Hall, 42 Baggot St., Brooklin
Markham
May 3, 2003
Markham Civic Centre, Canada Room
Ajax
May 15, 2003
Ajax Community Centre, 75 Centennial Rd, Ajax
Uxbridge
May 22. 2003
Community Centre Arena, 291 Brock St. West, Uxbridge
Pickering
May 27, 2003
Pickering Complex, O'Brien Rooms, 1 The Esplanade, Pickering
WhitchurchStouffville
May 28, 2003
Latcham Hall, 8 Park Dr. South, Stouffville
Pickering
May 31, 2003
Claremont Community Centre, 4941 Old Brock Road, Claremont
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A three-dimensional model, maps, charts and handout material were displayed and a
formal presentation on the PASZR was made at each Open House consultation.
Transport Canada staff were also available throughout each Open House to answer
questions.
At each Open House consultation, and through public notices published in local
newspapers, interested parties were encouraged to submit their written comments
regarding the PASZR to Transport Canada between April 12 and June 11, 2003.
Participants at the consultations received business card handouts that provided mailing
and website address information for formal written submissions.
In addition, at each Open House consultation, Transport Canada officials took note of
the questions and concerns raised by participants. These verbal comments are
highlighted in the Main Issues and the Other Related Issues sections of this report.
These comments, along with formal written submissions sent to Transport Canada by
the June 11, 2003 deadline, will be summarized in the updated Regulatory Impact
Analysis Statement (RIAS) sent to the Minister at the end of the PASZR consultation
phase.
Participants
Transport Canada Representatives: David Bayliss (Civil Aviation), Mary Crawford
(Communications), Kathi Oke (Programs and Divestiture), Keith Reilly (Civil Aviation),
Patricia Short-Gallé (Programs and Divestiture), Sharon Thomas (Civil Aviation), Mark
Watson (PWGSC), Jeff Wearn (Civil Aviation), Matthew Webb (Civil Aviation), Margaret
Wells (Programs and Divestiture)
Community Participants: A total of 156 people signed the register at the Open House
consultations. Participants self-identified as belonging to the categories below:
Residents:
119
Stakeholders:
6
Business:
6
Media:
1
Provincial/Municipal: 13
Other
11
Total
156
Total participants by location:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Scugog
Markham (A)
Whitby
Markham (B)
Ajax
Uxbridge
Pickering
Stouffville
Claremont
9
19
19
11
16
11
25
24
19
Main Issues:
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Overall, comments pertaining specifically to the PASZR made by participants at the
Open House consultations fell into three broad categories: Bird Hazards; Process and
Justification for Depositing an Instrument on Title; and the Roles of Transport Canada
(TC) and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA);
Bird Hazards – Questions regarding bird hazards arose at every Open House
consultation. These questions pertained either to aviation safety, or to environmental
conservation issues. Many people were concerned about the safety issues associated
with possible conflict between large flocking birds and aircraft using a future airport,
while others feared the PASZR may negatively affect current conservation efforts at the
local, provincial and/or federal levels. Both parties expressed some skepticism that land
use provisions will be sufficient to ensure aviation safety.
Instrument Deposited on Title – This issue was prominent in the discussions that took
place in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Pickering and Ajax. Several people asked about the
obligation or responsibility of local developers and real estate agencies to inform
prospective buyers about the PASZR in the community. Others asked why the
instrument had to be deposited on title in advance of a decision being made to actually
build an airport on the Pickering Lands. Some suggested that the instrument should be
“conditional” and be withdrawn if a decision was made not to build an airport on the
Pickering Lands site.
Role of Transport Canada and GTAA – Questions concerning the relative roles of
Transport Canada and the GTAA in the approval, planning and operation of a possible
future airport were raised at several of the Open House consultations. Participants
wanted to ensure that both organizations would be accountable for their decisions in
determining aviation needs in the area.
Other Related Issues:
As anticipated, the PASZR Open House consultations raised general awareness
concerning the future possibility of an airport on the Pickering Lands. During Open
House consultations, a number of questions and comments about the ongoing planning,
research and decisions being made regarding a future airport were generated.
Although these questions did not pertain directly to the PASZR, we have included a
synopsis of the main items of discussion: Future Airport Plan; Quality of Life;
Infrastructure and Funding; Need for an Airport; Existing Airports and Aerodromes; and,
the Proximity of the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant.
Future Airport Plan – At every Open House consultation participants asked questions
concerning the size, scope and planned construction of a possible future airport. People
wanted clarification on whether the airport would be a regional, international or reliever
airport. They asked about what kind of aircraft might use the proposed airport and what
kind of operations (cargo, passenger service, etc.) would be offered. Of particular
interest was the timing – participants wondered how soon construction might begin and
when planes could begin to land and take off in their community.
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Quality of Life – Many residents asked questions about how the proposed airport would
affect their quality of life and property values. They voiced concern about noise levels in
the vicinity of the proposed approaches and landing strips. There were several
references to noise problems experienced by residents near Toronto/Lester B. Pearson
International Airport and local airports like Buttonville.
Infrastructure and Funding – Some communities expressed concerns about the funding
of the airport and the supporting infrastructure, questioning whether this would be a
federal or municipal responsibility. There were questions regarding road and rail access
to the proposed airport, and possible improvements to the existing infrastructure.
Viability or Need for an Airport – Many participants asked why a future airport was being
considered at all. They questioned the studies and projections for future aviation needs.
Some pointed out the current decline in international and domestic travel and identified
current events like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the Iraq war as
deterrents to air travel in general.
Existing Local Airports/Aerodromes - At several of the Open House consultations,
residents asked about the impact of the PASZR on aerodromes such as Buttonville,
Markham and Oshawa which currently operate in the community.
Pickering Nuclear Power Plant – At three of the Open House consultations (Ajax,
Pickering and Whitby) attendees asked questions regarding the proximity of the airport
site to the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant. Participants wanted to know what
international standards or aeronautic regulations apply to the management of airspace
in the vicinity of a nuclear facility.
Conclusion:
The objectives of the Open House consultation process were to inform interested parties
and stakeholders on the proposed AZR for the Pickering Airport Site; to ensure that
public consultation was carried out in a manner that was inclusive of all the communities
affected; and to clearly inform interested parties how to make their views known. As
evidenced by the interest and participation of residents and various stakeholders from
each of the communities, these objectives were met.
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Acknowledgements
Transport Canada would like to thank the following organizations for their assistance
during the public consultation process on the Proposed Pickering Airport Site Zoning
Regulations:

Markham Civic Centre for providing meeting facilities

Pickering Community Centre for providing meeting facilities

Scugog Community Centre for providing meeting facilities

Greater Toronto Airports Authority for providing relevant brochures

Markham Economist and Sun for publishing Open House consultation dates on
behalf of the Markham Regional Council
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Transport Canada