Here's the Star write up..
The Toronto Port Authority is asking for up to $100 million in funding from Ottawa and Queen’s Park to pay for transportation improvements near the island airport.
Earlier this week, the port authority says it submitted a request for funding consideration under the Building Canada Fund, on behalf of the city, though it may formally apply under other infrastructure funds such as one aimed at borders and gateways.
Some programs require matching funds from the province, while others are solely funded by the federal government.
“It was our place we thought to make the request,” said Mark McQueen, chair of the port authority, in an interview. “In our proposal, the city would decide where that money would go.”
However, the city was unaware of this latest move.
“We weren’t consulted before they wrote their letter and press release,” said Christopher Dunn, the city’s waterfront project manager.
Dunn added the city is “a bit perplexed” by the reference to “on behalf of the city.”
The port authority, which has always insisted it is neutral on Porter’s expansion plans, says it is now asking higher levels of government to pay for infrastructure improvements.
McQueen added that the port authority’s financial resources and borrowing capacity would be tapped for other capital expenses including the runway extension.
“As such, it was necessary to apply for funding under this or other existing government infrastructure programs,” he said, arguing that given the airport is now the country’s ninth largest is a key driver for the economy.
The port authority’s move comes amid the continuing debate over expansion plans for Porter Airlines at Billy Bishop City Centre Airport.
Porter Airlines, which has placed a conditional order for Bombardier’s CSeries jets, wants to operate these larger planes that could fly to Vancouver or Miami from the airport. It would require a runway extension of as much as 200 metres at each end plus the lifting of jet prohibitions at the airport.
In November, city staff urged councillors to defer any decision on the request, saying there was not enough information available, especially since the plane, still in the production stage, hasn’t received Transport Canada certification.
As well, city officials expressed serious concerns about groundside improvements that would be needed near Bathurst St. and Lake Shore Blvd., which is already congested with cars and taxis.
The city has estimated as much as $300 million could be needed if passenger volumes increase substantially with jets. Officials argued that a decision about who would pay for these costs had to be settled first.
In December, the city’s executive committee voted to defer any decision until the Feb. 4 meeting, even though deputy mayor Norm Kelly is a vocal supporter of expansion.
Opponents of the Porter expansion proposal accuse the Toronto Port Authority of helping Porter with its expansion bid.
“The TPA is doing the dirty work again by demanding tax dollars to fund the island airport expansion,” NoJetsTO chair Anshul Kapoor said in a news release. “Ottawa and Queen’s Park have to reject this blatant cash-grab from taxpayers.”
Bombardier’s all-new CSeries aircraft has faced several delays and last week announced entry into commercial service won’t happen until mid-2015 at the earliest, prompting 1,700 job cuts at the company.
