HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 13-05PICKERING
REPORT TO COUNCIL
Report Number: CAO 13-05
Date: November 2, 2005
From:
Thomas J. Quinn
Chief Administrative Officer
Subject:
Transport Canada - Federal Airport Lands
- Due Diligence Review of Airport Master Plan
- File: D-7600-003
Recommendation:
That Report CAO 13-05 concerning the Federal Government's due diligence
review of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority's Master Plan for the Federal
Lands in Pickering be received.
That the Federal Government be advised that Pickering Council supports the
completion of a due diligence review of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority's
(GTAA's) Master Plan for the Federal Lands in Pickering, by the Federal Minister
of Transport.
That the Federal Minister of Transport be requested to ensure that the due
diligence review provides ample opportunity for Pickering Council and interested
members of the community to participate in the process.
That the Federal Minister of Transport be requested to ensure the due diligence
review includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following broad
considerations:
(i) A comprehensive airport supply and demand analysis of airport traffic
growth, and a review of airport governance in southern Ontario.
(ii) A comprehensive business case analysis of a potential airport in
Pickering.
(iii) A peer review of the GTAA's Airport Master Plan and supporting
documentation.
That a copy of this Report and resolutions be forwarded to the Federal Minister
of Transport, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Region of Durham,
Members of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering and Pickering-Scarborough East, and
Member of Provincial Parliament for Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge.
Report to Council CAO 13-05
Subject: Transport Canada - Due Diligence Review
Date: November 2, 2005
Page 2
113
Executive Summary:
This Report provides a position on the federal government's "due diligence" review of
the work undertaken by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) with respect to a
possible regional-reliever airport on the Federal Airport lands in Pickering. The Report
recommends that Council request the Federal Minister of Transport to incorporate into
the due diligence review the following: a comprehensive airport supply and demand
analysis of airports in southern Ontario, a business case analysis of a Pickering airport,
and a peer review of the GTAA's Airport Master Plan. As well the Report recommends
the Federal Minister of Transport ensure that Pickering Council and interested
members of the community be given ample opportunity to participate in the due
diligence review.
Financial Implications:
None
Background:
In November 2004, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) released a Pickering
Airport Draft Plan setting out the concept for a regional-reliever airport that could be
developed on the Federal Lands in Pickering over the next 20 years. The Draft Plan
was the culmination of more than a dozen studies, and was intended as background
and input to a federal environmental assessment process that the GTAA had
anticipated commencing in 2005.
In December 2004, Pickering Council passed Resolution #172/04 directing staff to
report back to Council no later than February 7, 2005, with appropriate terms of
reference, a procedure and a proposed budget for a peer review of the Pickering Airport
Draft Plan and updated FAA. The Resolution also directed that a request be made to
the Federal Transport Minister and the CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority
for sufficient funding to enable the City to acquire qualified consultants to undertake the
peer review.
In furtherance of this Resolution, Report CAO 04-05 was prepared and considered by
Council on February 7, 2005. Council received the Report and directed staff to pursue
peer review funding with the Federal Government.
On February 17, 2005, the Federal Transport Minister wrote to the City advising that his
department is unable to be of assistance at this time (with respect to peer review
funding) because the department is currently completing its own review of the GTAA's
report, and that should his department determine that further review or additional
studies are required, "appropriate action will be taken."
Report to Council CAO 13-05
Subject: Transport Canada - Due Diligence Review
Date: November 2, 2005
Page 3
In April 2005, the Chair of the GTAA responded to the City's request for peer review
funding, noting that the City and GTAA staff have been discussing this matter and
reviewing the opportunities to support the City's participation within the framework of an
environmental assessment.
On September 9, 2005, the Federal Transport Minister issued a news release
confirming that Transport Canada would be conducting a comprehensive due diligence
review of all related airport planning studies and that once completed, the department
will be in a position to recommend next steps, including whether or not to proceed to a
federal environmental assessment for a future possible airport.
At the October 3, 2005, Council Meeting, Councillor Pickles referred to the due
diligence review and asked if a report would be forthcoming on this matter. Mayor Ryan
requested Members of Council to provide their comments to staff so that they could be
considered along with any pertinent comments received from the public, by staff in
preparing a Report to Council.
Staff have subsequently contacted Transport Canada to advise them of the City's
interest in providing input on the nature and scope of the due diligence review.
Transport Canada noted that the matter is currently under consideration, and that more
details should be available shortly.
Accordingly, in light of Council's long-standing interest in the Federal Lands in
Pickering, and given Council's previous request for assistance to undertake a peer
reView of the GTAA's work, the Federal Minister of Transport should be requested to
ensure the due diligence review includes (but is not necessarily limited to) the following
broad considerations:
1. A comprehensive airport supply and demand analysis of airport traffic growth in
southern Ontario including the potential opportunity and role of all existing
southern Ontario airports in accommodating projected airport traffic growth, and
a review of airport governance in southern Ontario.
A comprehensive business case analysis of a potential airport in Pickering
should a Pickering airport be justified and confirmed by the airport supply and
demand analysis.
3. A peer review of the GTAA's Airport Master Plan and supporting documentation.
In addition, the Federal Minister of Transport should be requested to ensure the due
diligence process is designed to provide ample opportunity for Pickering Council and
interested members of the community to participate in the process and comment on the
due diligence report before a decision is made with respect to the undertaking of a
federal environmental assessment.
Report to Council CAO 13-05
Subject: Transport Canada - Due Diligence Review
Date: November 2, 2005
Page 4
1!5
Prepared By:
Approved / Endorsed By:
Thomas E. ~elyrr>dk ~ T4~omas J. ~ulrm ·
Division HeaS, C/'orporate Projects"&~oli_cy%._ Chief Administrative Officer
TJQ:tm
Copy: Directors
Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering Ci,ty Council .
Th<~rn~s J. Qui~¢ Chief A~inistr~.~Officer/