Statement from Tim Gray, Executive Director, Environmental Defence<\/p>\n
Toronto | Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat \u2014 Tonight, we\u2019re celebrating a monumental victory for Toronto, our waterfront, and the people that love it. The federal government\u2019s decision to ground the proposal to expand the Toronto Island Airport to accommodate jets is a triumph for community power and democratic participation.<\/p>\n
This wasn\u2019t a consultation. It was a referendum. Eighty-seven per cent of people said no jets, and the federal government listened. You can\u2019t buy our waterfront. We just proved it.<\/p>\n
Over three months, thousands of lawn signs went up across the city, thousands of letters landed on the desks of Toronto MPs, and 87,000 people responded to the government\u2019s survey with one clear message: No jets on our waterfront.<\/p>\n
This victory proves that Torontonians will not stand by while our waterfront, our parks, and our quality of life are threatened.<\/p>\n
Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we remain vigilant in protecting the Toronto we love.<\/p>\n