Island Airport Expansion

The business lobby is out in full force trying to bully the government into approving the expansion of the Billy Bishop island airport in downtown Toronto. The argument is that the island airport is responsible for bringing in millions of passengers into the city.  Expanding the airport to allow jets to land will bring in more business and prosperity to the city,

My reasons for opposing the airport expansion are purely selfish. I'm a boat owner and the airport expansion will result in the expansion of the runway exclusion zones on both sides of the airport, increased air traffic and noise complaints. Your airport is disrupting my fun time.

Let's get back to the financial argument for the airport. I use the island airport, which is within walking distance from my condo, several times during the year for both business and pleasure trips. I will be using the airport again in April for a direct flight to Myrtle Beach. I also use the airport to fly to Montreal for business. If I did not use Billy Bishop airport I would fly out of Pearson. You are diverting passengers from one airport to other, you are not creating new passengers. All of the arguments that Billy Bishop brings in $millions of economic business to the city is hogwash. The business is coming to Toronto regardless.

We do not need jets flying over our waterfront so that business travellers can avoid the inconvenience of using our major international airport. The extra noise and traffic is not worth the disruption.