What is The Checklist Approach?

The Checklist approach represents a series of measures to be used that would determine the capacity of the airport and airspace system in Southern Ontario. When the capacity utilization exceeds the set number (somewhere between 65-70%) this would provide the lead time required to commence the Environmental Assessment as well as build any facility that would be required.

In this way the community, the Federal Government, and the GTAA are assured that a viable airport would be constructed only when need is demonstrated instead of simple forecast. The lead time provided by the capacity utilization measure is well within the time frame outlined as required by the GTAA. In a Washington D.C. conference on the subject of new runways the GTAA in 2003 they outlined they require 6 years to complete the process. 30% remaining capacity (as outlined by the checklist) provides a lead time of approximately 8-9 years. The checklist approach provides certainty to the process based on need, not on projections.

This is the fairest way to achieve all of the objectives of the community, the government, and the GTAA. It provides a reasonable planning horizon for all parties not just Transport Canada and the GTAA. We the taxpayers achieve the courtesy of being able to plan our lives based on the knowledge provided by a fair measuring system and not political manipulation.

THE CHECKLIST APPROACH

The Checklist approach is a proposed guideline for the operation of the Pickering Lands. These properties are an important asset to the Federal Government. The Government feels the land must be protected for a future airport should the need ever materialize.

We believe, and many reports support our contention, that the need will never be transparently demonstrated. In an attempt to bridge this gap and offer a realistic operating model V.O.C.A.L. tabled The Checklist Approach as an operating model to move forward with.

We believe it offers a balanced and realistic approach to resolving some difficult issues. It reflects the interests of the community and it's taxpayers while allowing for the Environmental Assessment process to proceed once need is clearly displayed. A previously agreed upon set of capacity utilization rates would act as the starting point for the next step.

Essentially, we said once airport capacity use rates topped 65% to 70% of the agreed capacity, the Environmental Assessment process automatically would start. The need and growth rates had brought the industry to the point where it would profitably support expansion. Then and only then would the amount of land needed for an airport be transferred and not one acre more.

In this way, the very expensive and detailed Environmental Assessment process would be positioned much closer to the time an airport is needed, if ever. This process protects the land against an unneeded and unprofitable airport development that contributes nothing to the community or economy of Durham Region. In fact, if the GTAA is allowed to grab our land for its use then the City of Pickering and Durham Region may lose one of the greatest opportunities ever presented to a community.


With the Checklist Approach we propose that all plans for any development on the lands must be approved by a committee of representatives of all of the Towns and Cities that surround the lands. Proposals would be called only after the agreed upon capacity level at existing and operating airports had been reached.

In this fashion all parties that have an interest in the properties have an opportunity to review and contribute to any proposal for the properties prior to any land transfer. This format eliminates the uncertainty that has surrounded these lands for 34 years now and ensures that the concerns and considerations of all parties are addressed BEFORE a deal is struck.

Our Regional and Municipal leaders should also look much more closely at this proposal. The reason is, if, as they contend, the need for an airport does materialize, then the ability to negotiate a better deal for the region and communities exists because a need has been demonstrated.

Properly managed, a bidding process would yield many more benefits for the region and city in the future than the current evidence points to today. For example, as the municipal and Regional councillors are well aware, but most people are not, the GTAA took the City of Mississauga to the Supreme Court to avoid paying building permit fees at Pearson.

The GTAA community co-operation record so far is less than stellar. It is one of slow and vague responses to questions, forwarding of incomplete reports, and refusing to consider many of the City and councils requests. This does not bode well for the future. This format eliminates the types of problems that have been encountered with the 407 because the issues are addressed to everyone's satisfaction before the deal is signed. This approach is fair and equitable to all.

As citizens all we ever want is the opportunity to be heard and treated fairly by the governing bodies we elect. That is why your vote is important. Like the old saying goes

"You get the government you deserve."