Statement from Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter on the Oshawa Executive Airport
On behalf of Oshawa City Council, I wish to thank everyone who recently provided feedback on the Draft Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures for the Oshawa Executive Airport.
The airport is a significant engine for economic growth in Oshawa and Durham Region. As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping you informed about airport operations, the City of Oshawa most recently hosted a series of virtual workshops last month. More than 100 community members and over 80 airport users registered for these workshops to receive information and provide input on the Draft Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures. An additional 370 feedback forms were also completed online.
H.M. Aero Aviation Consulting, in consultation with City staff and the Airport Manager, will use your valuable feedback to further refine the Draft Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures as appropriate. These refinements will be included in a future staff report to the Development Services Committee and Council for consideration. Watch for coming updates on this process.
The City is committed to ensuring open dialogue and considering the needs of both airport users and community members as we work to fulfill our agreement with the Federal Government to operate the Oshawa Executive Airport until 2047. While a key component of our long-term vision is balancing the quality of life of our residents with the economic benefits of the airport, aviation is a federally-regulated industry and a number of matters at the Oshawa Executive Airport are not within the City’s control. This includes the implementation of noise abatement measures, which require final approval from Transport Canada.
I wish to thank Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull for advocating for noise abatement measures at the airport by writing to the Federal Minister of Transport. I also welcome the advocacy of Oshawa MP Colin Carrie as indicated by the community survey his office recently finalized with respect to noise issues at the Oshawa Executive Airport as well as support from Durham MP The Honourable Erin O’Toole.
As a City, we have made considerable effort to keep our community members consistently informed of airport-related matters while providing them with ongoing opportunities to give feedback on airport initiatives that may affect them, including most recently during the current term of Council:
• an Airport Community Liaison Committee Town Hall Meeting in September 2019 to obtain input on the 2020-2024 Airport Business Plan;
• two virtual workshops and online feedback form regarding the development of the Draft 2020-2024 Airport Business Plan in September/October 2020; and
• a virtual public meeting and online feedback opportunity to obtain input on the Draft Proposed 2021-2022 Oshawa Executive Airport Action Plan in May 2021.
The Oshawa Executive Airport remains dedicated to working as a good community neighbour by building solid relationships with community members, stakeholders and airport users while also supporting the City’s economic and healthcare needs. Stay informed on the latest news and information about the Oshawa Executive Airport by subscribing to the Airport news feed. Additionally, follow the Oshawa Executive Airport on Twitter @OshExecAirport. For more information on the Oshawa Executive Airport, visit www.oshawa.ca/airport or call 905-576-8146.