Pickering Airport a GO?!

[DanWEC]

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/06 ... ahead.html

This is a nice surprise, The federal gov't is giving it the green light. Given the shaky future of GA and other non-airline related aviation in the region I for one am incredibly glad that it that it hasn't been killed.... yet.

I find it odd, however that the Transport and Infrastucture Minister of Ontario, Murray, is opposed- saying that Toronto is already serviced by the Island and Pearson. Sheesh!!!

Fingers crossed it actually continues to fruition.

Then again, maybe it's just an interim plan for the fed to hold onto the land and sell it off in 50 years when it's worth gazillions.

[CD]

Responsible, balanced approach for the future of the Pickering Lands ends decades of uncertainty: Lands are being committed for an airport, economic development and a national urban park

No. H075/13
For release - June 11, 2013

PICKERING, ONTARIO — A responsible, balanced approach was unveiled today by the Harper government for the development of the federally-owned Pickering Lands, which sets aside land for a future airport, some economic development and the creation of Rouge National Urban Park.

The announcement was made on the Pickering Lands by the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

“For residents of Durham Region and the GTA, the Harper government is ending decades of uncertainty about the future of the Pickering Lands,” said Minister Flaherty. “There will be land for an airport, there will be urban and industrial development and there will be considerable green space on these lands. We are striking a responsible balance that will allow us to preserve our quality of life, while creating jobs and long-term prosperity in Durham Region and the GTA. With the Buttonville Airport closing, with Highway 407 being extended eastward, and now clarity around the Pickering Lands, Durham Region is well positioned to be a hub for transportation, business development and job creation.”

“As we protect land for a future airport, a considerable tract of land will also be made available for job-creating development that will bring new opportunities to Pickering and Durham Region,” said Minister Flaherty on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

As part of the Harper government’s continuing commitment to plan for, protect and responsibly manage the federally owned Pickering Lands and promote the region’s continued development and economic prosperity, Transport Canada plans to transfer nearly 5,000 acres from these lands to Parks Canada towards the creation of Rouge National Urban Park.

The new park will be more than 13 times the size of Stanley Park in Vancouver.

“As announced in the 2011 Speech from the Throne and Economic Action Plan 2012, our government is working with provincial, regional, municipal, Aboriginal and community partners towards the creation of a national urban park in the Rouge Valley,” said Minister Kent. “With federal and provincial commitments for lands, we are not one, but two steps closer to creating a true ‘Canadian first’ with Rouge National Urban Park – a place where nature, culture and agriculture can be protected, appreciated, experienced and supported.”

In 2011, the Government of Canada released a Needs Assessment Study that indicated an additional airport in the region will be needed between 2027 and 2037 and that the Pickering lands would be a prime location for this airport. The government has now identified the southeast quadrant of the existing lands as the site to be protected for a future airport, the amount of land needed being smaller than originally thought.

Transport Canada will engage with stakeholders, businesses and local communities on the future of the remaining Pickering Lands. To provide your own feedback on the future management of the Pickering Lands, please visit us online.

For more information on the future Rouge National Urban Park: http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/rouge

- 30 -

[vortac]

The best part is how they totally "curve-balled" the Ontario Government on the decision and announcement.
Dorval here we go! Ontario needs another scandal so it can flip-flop a bad government to another bad government again.

[L1011]

I like the sound of the "Urban Park" but we already have one Mirabel Airport, we don't need another one in Pickering.

[Heliian]

Don't forget about the monorail to go from downtown to pickering airport too.

[Married a Canadian]

Do not understand this...and never will. How can you want to build another airport in a city that has awful transit links, political upheaval at every turn,
a major airport in YYZ that is no where close to capacity..and has just had major upgrades in terminal space..and continues to do so, airports that serve GA that are under the threat of closure to build more condos or strip malls, arguments over who can and can't fly into YYZ on a daily basis (hello Emirates), controversy over airlines hiring policies...which may spill over to the travelling public, an airport trying to expand downtown that is being met with fierce resistance.....the list goes on.
I am supposed to believe that in 10 years time that neither YYZ or YTZ...or YKZ (if it is still there) or YHM..or YOO will be able to handle the so called major increase that is coming. Pearson hasn't even cracked the top 30 in passenger numbers yet for worlds busiest airports.
They should concentrate on what they have....because this bemused onlooker thinks it is YMX aswell.

[ScudRunner]

Don't forget about the monorail to go from downtown to pickering airport too.

Then we can add Toronto to Ogendenville, North Haverbrook, Brockway and Mirabel




I better study up for my MCAT then

[golden hawk]

http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/ ... nears.html

Pickering lands, near onetime site of possible airport, up for sale as byelection nears


- Liberal government has finally put a “for sale” sign up on large swath of Pickering land, just in time for Durham byelection.

- Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid said more than 1,000 acres are being sold with the proceeds going toward building new infrastructure.

By: Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief, Published on Thu Jan 07 2016

Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government has finally put a “for sale” sign up on a large swath of Pickering land just in time for a Durham byelection next month.
With voters in nearby Whitby-Oshawa expected to go to the polls Feb. 11 to elect a successor to former Progressive Conservative MPP Christine Elliott, the Liberals on Thursday announced the Seaton lands are now for sale.
That’s the area along Highway 407 adjacent to a massive federal-owned tract set aside generations ago to build an airport in Pickering.
The Ontario government expropriated the Seaton lands in the 1970s to build a new town to serve an airport that never materialized.
With Ottawa unlikely to proceed with a Pickering airport, Queen’s Park has long been working with the local council and developers to build a new “sustainable community” for 70,000 people,
Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid said more than 1,000 acres are being sold, with the proceeds going toward building new infrastructure.
“By selling this provincial asset, our government is helping build Ontario up, emphasizing sustainable communities and supporting families across the GTA and beyond,” Duguid said in a statement.
There will be about 800 acres of “employment lands” and 269 acres of “residential and mixed use lands” sold for many millions of dollars, which the government believes will support 35,000 jobs.
The public sale, which is being conducted on the open market, will be conducted by CBRE Ltd.
Infrastructure Ontario, a government agency, prepared the lands for marketing.
“The sale of the Seaton lands marks another milestone towards making the vision of Seaton a reality,” Bert Clark, Infrastructure Ontario president and CEO, said in a statement.
While the project has long been a big regional issue, it does not fall within the riding of Whitby-Oshawa, which the Liberals hope to pick up when Wynne calls the byelection, likely next Wednesday.
The Seaton lands are in neighbouring Ajax-Pickering, held by Liberal MPP Joe Dickson, so it remains to be seen whether the new suburban development will be a hot topic in the byelection.
“It’s an issue that’s been discussed at Durham regional council,” said Durham councillor Lorne Coe, the Progressive Conservative candidate in Whitby-Oshawa.
His main opponent is fellow regional councillor Elizabeth Roy, who is carrying the Liberal banner.
Niki Lundquist, a lawyer with Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union, is the NDP candidate.
•with files from Rob Ferguson