Modeling Journey

Klees wants Province to Step in to Save Buttonville Airport

For Immediate Release April 6, 2009

Klees Calls on Province to Step in to Save Regional Airport

(Queen’s Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP and PC Leadership Candidate Frank Klees today called on the provincial government to put up the $1.5 million needed to ensure that the Buttonville Airport in York Region continues to operate.

Following a decision by the Greater Toronto Airport Authority to cancel its capacity maintenance agreement with the regional airport - a loss of $1.5 million - the airport's management announced they would have no choice but to shut down the airport's operations.

"If the federal government refuses to ensure that this airport stays operational, then the provincial government should step in for economic development reasons," said Klees. "While the federal and provincial ministers debate whose jurisdiction this is, we risk losing 300 direct jobs and more than $80 million of economic benefit to the GTA. That makes no sense. "

Klees made the point that if the federal and provincial ministries of transport couldn't come to terms with the issue, then the McGuinty government’s Minister of Economic Development has a responsibility to show leadership on the issue.

"How can the McGuinty government stand by and watch 300 jobs and $80 million of economic benefit lost over an investment of $1.5 million?" said Klees. "At a time when this government is announcing billions in infrastructure projects to stimulate job creation and economic activity, this should be no more than a five minute discussion."

"This is just one more example of a lack of leadership and misplaced priorities. In my way of thinking, investing $1.5 million to ensure the viability of a regional airport that serves thousands of businesses and is a magnet for economic development in the GTA just makes good sense," said Klees.

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References:

Frank Klees, MPP

416 509 8999

· Hansard of Frank Klees’ exchange with the Minister in the Legislature attached

Hansard, april 6, 2009

Buttonville airport

Mr. Frank Klees: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. On February 26, my colleague from Thornhill put the question to the minister about the impending closing of the Buttonville airport as the result of the loss of some $1.5 million of support from the GTA. At that time, the minister stated very clearly that he believed that that airport is critical to the local economy as well as the economy of the GTA. He undertook to contact the federal Minister of Transport to see if he could at that time get support for the airport.

I would like to know from the minister, has he heard back from the Minister of Transport for the federal government? Is there going to be support for the Buttonville airport?

Hon. James J. Bradley: The member raises a very good question, of concern to all the members who particularly represent the area north of Toronto, including Michael Chan, my colleague; Mr. Shurman, who asked the question in the House; and the member directing the question to me.

Buttonville airport, in my opinion, plays a significant role as an airport for a lot of different reasons, one of them being a backup as well to the main airport, Pearson International Airport. I was disappointed, although they make their decisions for various reasons, to see that this had happened.

I did communicate with the federal minister about it by letter to John Baird, who, I would think, is equally concerned about that potential closing. I have not, to this point in time, received—or I have not seen—a letter of reply from him yet, but I know that he does have that concern, and I look forward with anticipation to his—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Frank Klees: I would like to direct my supplementary to the Minister of Economic Development. The reason I wanted to speak to the Minister of Economic Development is that the implication of this airport closing is the loss of some 300 direct jobs and a loss of some $80 million directly in that local economy, at a time when the government is investing billions of dollars in infrastructure to stimulate economy, at a time when the economic development ministry is investing millions of dollars to save jobs and create jobs.

Regardless of whether the federal government is decisive on this, will at least the Ontario government, through the Ministry of Economic Development, be prepared to invest the $1.5 million to save 300 jobs and to save some $80 million worth of the economic enterprise in the—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister?

Hon. James J. Bradley: I cannot speak for the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, but no doubt the question is heard and will be in Hansard, and he will deliberate upon it.

Airports are the primary responsibility of the federal government. I think it’s the hope of everyone in the Legislature that the federal government will see fit to investigate this matter appropriately, and if there’s funding to be required or pressure to be applied, the federal government will do so. I can assure the member that those of us who are part of the Ontario government—and, certainly, I speak for the Minister of Economic Development and Trade—are interested in seeing that airport continue.

As soon as we get a response from the federal government, we’ll be in a better position to make decisions subsequent to that. I am optimistic that the federal government will respond positively and that Buttonville, as a result, will stay open.

Conservative Transit Announcement Great for GTA and York Region

This announcement is great news for York Region and commuters in the GTA. A good example of Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party brining actual results to our riding.
-Darryl

Government of Canada invests in Toronto Transit: Flaherty announces funds will begin flowing to Spadina Subway Extension

TORONTO, Sept. 5 /CNW/ - People living and working in Toronto will begin
to benefit soon from reduced traffic congestion, shorter commuting times, and
cleaner air through the Toronto-York Spadina Subway extension. The Honourable
Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence
Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced
that a contribution agreement has been signed by the federal, provincial and
municipal governments, meaning that funds for the completion of the project
will now begin flowing.

"The Government of Canada is helping to provide the students, commuters,
and families of the Greater Toronto Area with transportation options, getting
people out of their cars and onto public transit," said Minister Flaherty. "We
are committed to working with our provincial and municipal partners to improve
transportation infrastructure across the country. The Toronto-York Spadina
Subway extension is an excellent example of how we're delivering real
results."

The Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project encompasses an
8.6 kilometre extension to the Toronto Transit Commission's Spadina subway
line, extending subway service to York University and the Vaughan Corporate
Centre. With the signing of the contribution agreement, the Government of
Canada will commit to paying up to $622 million under the Building Canada
infrastructure plan towards the design and construction of this project. This
is in addition to the $75 million already received by the project under the
Public Transit Capital Trust.

In addition to the funding being made available for the Spadina Subway
extension, several other transit projects in the GTA are being funded by the
Government of Canada. They include:

- York VIVA (Phase 1) - $50 million toward a $164 million bus rapid
transit project;
- York VIVA (Phase 2) - up to $85 million toward the second phase of this
bus rapid transit project;
- GO Transit Rail Improvement Program - $385 million toward a $1 billion
project; Through this project, six of the seven rail corridors being
used by GO are being upgraded, as well as some work around Union
Station;
- Brampton AcceleRide - $95 million from the Canada Strategic
Infrastructure Fund toward a $285 million Bus Rapid Transit project;
- Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit - $83 million from the Canada Strategic
Infrastructure Fund toward a $249 million project; and
- Toronto Transit Commission Strategic Capital Projects - $350 million
from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund towards a $1.2 billion
project.


The Government of Canada provided $500 million for public transit
infrastructure in Budget 2008. This will provide up to $194.5 million to
Ontario under the Public Transit Fund. Under the previous Public Transit
Capital Trust, the Province of Ontario has received $351.5 million, which it
can use for various transit projects over the next three years. In addition,
all Ontario municipalities will continue to receive a GST rebate.

"It's clear that for the Government of Canada, investing in
transportation infrastructure for the people of the GTA has been a key
priority," Minister Flaherty said. "We are delivering on this priority even
further today with the Spadina Subway extension."

For further information: Chisholm Pothier, Press Secretary, Office of
the Minister of Finance, (613) 996-7861; Transport Canada is online at
www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news
and keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may
be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual
disabilities.

Harper's visit in Mississauga

Last night, I had the opportunity to visit Mississauga where Stephen Harper was holding a rally. It was great to see Hazel Mccallion in attendance. Hazel is the longest serving mayor in Canada and one of the best mayors in the world. The media is reporting 400 people were on hand to hear the speech, but I think the number was far higher than that. When I arrived there was no place to park because all of the lots and side streets were full. Jim Flaherty also made an appearance. The crowd was very diverse and to be honest I was surprised by level of support just outside of Toronto. After highlighting the Conservative record in government, Harper did a great job of tearing apart the Green Shaft due to the lack of actual emissions targets combined with a tax increase on virtually everything. With four by-elections currently ongoing and election fever in the air; last night had the feeling of a campaign kick off. The crowd was enthusiastic and I couldn't help but feel that the Conservative Party will be fully ready should there be an election this fall. Congratulations to Karma Macgregor and other organizers who made this event such a success. Today Harper is in Hamilton and later heads to Kitchener and London. All areas are crucial to any chances for Conservatives to take a majority next time. The riding of Guelph will be extremely interesting to watch. Personally I hope Harper just pulls the plug and goes to the people for a new mandate. From watching the ethics committee this summer, it is obvious parliament isn't working and it is time to clear the air. This minority parliament has already lasted well longer than the average minority parliament in Canada. After several false alarms, hopefully this time we finally face the electorate.

Thanks for reading...

Darryl

This announcement is great news for Ontario, Toronto and York Region. Kudos to both the Harper government and the current Ontario provincial government for getting this done. Now lets get some shovels in the ground. The subway extension to York university and funding for Viva transit are crucial to relieving gridlock in York Region.
-Darryl



Feds to invest more than $3B in Ont. infrastructure

Updated Thu. Jul. 24 2008 5:33 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Ontario will receive about $6.2 billion dollars from federal and provincial coffers to improve infrastructure, Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon announced Thursday.

Cannon said Ottawa will give more than $3 billion to help repair the province's aging roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

The provincial government of Ontario has promised to match the amount, raising the total to the $6.2 billion mark.

The minister, speaking to reporters in London, Ont., said the funding was long overdue for the province.

A large portion of the money will be spent on improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway in northwestern Ontario, rural broadband coverage in southern and eastern Ontario and rapid transit in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region.

"Our government will work with Ontario to identify and deliver upon those infrastructure needs most critical to Ontarians," said Cannon. "We will do that in the spirit of open federalism and co-operation."

The minister said ensuring the "economic and environmental viability and vitality of Canada" was a top priority for the federal government.

"Investments in infrastructure help support a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and a more secure Canada," he said.

Ontario Deputy Premier George Smitherman said Thursday's announcement proves that both levels of government are working together to build a stronger province.

The money is also expected to help create jobs in the province, which has been hard hit by cutbacks in the manufacturing and auto sector.

The federal-provincial deal will stretch until 2014.

With files from The Canadian Press