Transport minister tells GTAA to end its protest

Lapierre rejects any quick fee change We won’t drop request, airport says

Transport Minister Jean Lapierre has told the Greater Toronto Airports Authority to end to its public campaign aimed at getting a break on airport rent.

“ In the interests of continuing a constructive dialogue, I would recommend against continuing your high profile or media debate of the GTAA situation,” Lapierre told GTAA chairman Warren Hurren in a letter obtained by the Toronto Star.

“ You have floated proposals for an additional $220 million reduction in rent payments over the next five years, with a view towards further cuts in 2011 and the years beyond.

“ As a result of intensive discussions in recent weeks, it has become clear there is no easy nor quick solution, especially in the current environment. It is my belief that the risks of taking precipitous action are considerable.” GTAA spokeswoman Connie Turner said the airport would continue to push for “ a fair and equitable deal for Toronto. We’re certainly not going to stop. We’re very disappointed in the way Minister Lapierre has responded.” Knowing their airport’s landing costs were about to become the most expensive in the world, the GTAA launched a public debate over the rent it pays to Ottawa.

Boards of trades and local politicians attacked Ottawa’s policy that will see Toronto pay twothirds of all Canada’s airport rent while handling one- third of the traffic. The movement seemed to gain traction when Lapierre conceded Nov. 16 in the House of Commons that some form of shortterm rent relief was on its way for Toronto. But there was no word of that rent relief in the Nov. 28 letter, disappointing the airline community.

“ We cannot understand how the government can acknowledge that there is a legitimate need to reduce Pearson’s shortterm rent pressures one week and then reject that same notion the very next week,” said Cliff Mackay, president of the Air Transport Association of Canada.

Lapierre’s letter urges the GTAA to sign a formal document that will enshrine the deal for the new rent policy. Lapierre defends the new policy, saying it will save Toronto $5 billion over 50 years.