JasonParis
Moderator
Is city's port still a port?
Feb 06, 2008 04:30 AM
Bruce Campion-Smith
Ottawa bureau chief
OTTAWA–When is a port not a port?
A group of Toronto citizens is arguing that the city's port doesn't meet Ottawa's test as a port of "national significance," a classification that puts its dealings out of reach of city council.
NDP MP Olivia Chow, Toronto Councillor Adam Vaughan and several city residents brought their long-standing complaints with the Toronto Port Authority to Parliament Hill yesterday.
At a news conference, they demanded the federal Conservatives give city council a greater voice in the affairs of the port authority.
The authority is "running roughshod over local interests," Vaughan said.
Five of the authority's seven board members are appointed by the federal government. Local residents are demanding that Ottawa let Toronto choose five of the members.
Vaughan even complained that under Transport Canada's criteria, Toronto's port should not be run by a port authority. He said that designation is meant for busy cargo facilities. "The City of Toronto port is not a port. It doesn't move goods."
Transport Canada maintains changing the makeup of the port's board has little impact since all members are legally required to act in "the best interests of the port ... rather (than) the appointing body."
Feb 06, 2008 04:30 AM
Bruce Campion-Smith
Ottawa bureau chief
OTTAWA–When is a port not a port?
A group of Toronto citizens is arguing that the city's port doesn't meet Ottawa's test as a port of "national significance," a classification that puts its dealings out of reach of city council.
NDP MP Olivia Chow, Toronto Councillor Adam Vaughan and several city residents brought their long-standing complaints with the Toronto Port Authority to Parliament Hill yesterday.
At a news conference, they demanded the federal Conservatives give city council a greater voice in the affairs of the port authority.
The authority is "running roughshod over local interests," Vaughan said.
Five of the authority's seven board members are appointed by the federal government. Local residents are demanding that Ottawa let Toronto choose five of the members.
Vaughan even complained that under Transport Canada's criteria, Toronto's port should not be run by a port authority. He said that designation is meant for busy cargo facilities. "The City of Toronto port is not a port. It doesn't move goods."
Transport Canada maintains changing the makeup of the port's board has little impact since all members are legally required to act in "the best interests of the port ... rather (than) the appointing body."
