The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Liaison Committee met on March 10, 2005, at 8:10 a.m. in the Chair's Boardroom, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton.

Chair E. Kolb presided.

A quorum of voting members was not present, and in accordance with section III-4(f.) of the Region of Peel Procedural By-law 54-1999, as amended, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Liaison Committee received information.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

3. REPORT/PRESENTATIONS

a) Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)/Region of Peel Spring 2005 Update (Oral)
Presentation by Steve Shaw, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs; Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)

Hazel McCallion, Mayor, City of Mississauga, expressed that it was her understanding that Lou Parsons is not the representative for Peel Region on the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Board. Steve Shaw, GTAA Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, confirmed that Lou Parsons is not technically the Region of Peel representative as a result of changes to the structure of the GTAA Board. He noted that there is a municipal requirement on the GTAA Board and that the Region of Peel, as a nominator, is requested to provide a list of three nominees to the GTAA Board, to determine who is appointed.

Pat Saito, Regional Councillor, Mississauga (Ward 9), inquired if the non-governmental appointments to the GTAA Board included mandatory regional representation. Steve Shaw clarified that there is no mandatory regional representation in the non-governmental appointments however; invitations to nominate are extended to non-governmental organizations, like the boards of trade, throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Emil Kolb, Regional Chair, noted that the nomination/appointment process for the GTAA Board is discriminatory toward the municipal level of government. He noted that the Federal and Provincial levels of government have the authority to appoint directly to the GTAA Board, while municipalities are requested to provide a list of three nominees with the final decision and appointment being made by the GTAA Board. Chair Kolb asked that the GTAA Board consider how much funding the Federal and Provincial governments provide to the airport in contrast to the services provided by the Region; yet the Region is denied the opportunity to appoint to the GTAA Board. Mayor McCallion agreed with the comments of Chair Kolb noting that the Region provides the airport with many services including; water, wastewater, garbage collection and disposal, road infrastructure, ambulance and police services. She added that the airport has not paid development charges, which has had a significant financial impact on both the Region and the City of Mississauga. Development charges should have been paid to cover the cost of infrastructure improvements necessary to sustain the airport terminal redevelopment. Mayor McCallion reminded Steve Shaw that the City of Mississauga and the Region of Peel have been very cooperative with the GTAA, but that a cooperative relationship needs to be mutual if the airport is to remain a world class facility.

Chair Kolb raised a concern about the delays in luggage off-load, indicating that he has received a number of complaints from the public and he relayed personal experiences of waiting for up to an hour for luggage after deplaning. Steve Shaw acknowledged the concerns and stated that the airport is working with the airlines in an effort to address delays and to develop solutions.

Mayor McCallion informed the Committee of meetings and discussions she has had with the Federal Minister of Transportation, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regarding issues related to Pearson International Airport including: ground rent charged by the Federal government at Pearson as compared to other airports in Canada, the lack of cooperation from the GTAA regarding municipal issues, issues related to municipal taxation, development charges and recent GTAA economic development plans. Mayor McCallion noted that the City of Mississauga has been very accommodating with issues related to the licensing of taxis and limousines at the airport along with supporting the airport's request for Airport Public Transportation Vehicles (APTV) that allow for pre-booked, flat rate transfers to and from Pearson airport. Mayor McCallion stated that this demonstrated the willingness of local government in Peel to cooperate with the GTAA. She proposed that if the ground rent is reduced by the Federal government that these funds available to the GTAA should be reallocated to pay for the cost of the many services essential for airport operations currently being subsidized by the property taxpayers.

Steve Shaw provided a brief update on the Pickering airport project in Durham Region and the current status of Buttonville airport in York Region. Mayor McCallion inquired if the study costs for Pickering were paid for by the Federal government. Chair Kolb asked if York Region was still subsidizing Buttonville airport. Steve Shaw replied that the Federal government has not paid for the Pickering airport studies and that the GTAA is subsidizing the Buttonville airport in the amount of approximately one million dollars per annum. Mayor McCallion suggested that the GTAA should pass the Pickering airport study costs and the Buttonville airport subsidy costs onto the Federal government so that those costs are not paid for by the travelling public.

Chair Kolb cautioned the GTAA with respect to a request to establish special constables at the airport. He noted that significant responsibilities in the area of prisoner transport have been downloaded to police services from the Province. Further, additional requirements regarding the collection and storage of evidence may also be downloaded and the GTAA needs to be made fully aware of the possible implications of taking on this responsibility.

4. COMMUNICATIONS

a) Steve Shaw, Chair, Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Consultative Committee, Letter dated February 21, 2005, Regarding the Issue of Improving Access to Toronto Pearson International Airport

b) John Daly, Legislative Co-ordinator, Legislative Services, Peel Region, Memo dated March 4, 2005, Regarding the Report titled "Toronto Airports Authority - Pearson Airport Human Health Risk Assessment"

Members of the Committee requested that the GTAA provide a detailed presentation to Regional Council regarding the findings of the Human Health Risk Assessment Study for Toronto Pearson International Airport (TPIA). Steve Shaw agreed that such a presentation would be valuable and that the GTAA could re-engage the consultants for the purpose of providing the presentation. Roger Maloney, Chief Administrative Officer, Region of Peel, undertook for his staff to arrange the presentation.

c) Ulli S. Watkiss, City Clerk, City of Toronto, Letter dated February 21, 2005, Advising of the Adoption of Clause 6a as Amended, by City Council on February 16, 2005, Regarding the Nomination to the Greater Toronto Airports (GTAA) Board of Directors, GTAA Consultative Committee and the Noise Management Committee

5. IN CAMERA MATTERS

6. NEXT MEETING DATE

Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 8:00 a.m.
Chair's Boardroom
10 Peel Centre Dr., 5th Floor
Brampton, ON

7. ADJOURNMENT

Having regard a quorum of voting members was not achieved, in accordance with Section 111-4(f) of the Procedural By-law 54-1999, as amended, items not dealt with during this meeting will be placed on the agenda of the next scheduled Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Liaison Committee meeting, with the exception of Item 4c which will be placed on the next General Committee meeting agenda.

The meeting stood adjourned at 9:10 a.m.