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“We’re optimistic that a majority of the executive committee and council will see the proposal’s value to the city and the travelling public and that they’ll be willing to work toward that in a timely manner,” said Mr. Deluce, who added that should any aspect of his proposal fall short, he would be prepared to walk away from it as well.

Growth of the island airport has always been a fractious issue in Toronto. Porter’s launch in 2006 turned what was a small general aviation airport into the ninth busiest airport in Canada, with an 82-fold increase in passenger traffic.

It generates $1.9-billion in annual economic output, according to a consultant’s review, and 5,700 jobs, including 1,700 directly associated with the airport.

In the spring, Mr. Deluce announced plans to purchase up to 30 Bombardier CSeries planes, dubbed “whisper jets,” to fly to further destinations. He is also seeking permission to extend the main runway by 168 or 200 metres on both ends.

Preliminary noise data found the CS-100 plane is “likely to comply” with noise regulations, although city staff need more testing to be sure. Plane certification from Transport Canada is not expected until May at the earliest.

There are also significant costs attached to the potential influx of new passengers. Transit or road infrastructure projects to deal with the increased traffic around the mainland terminal could cost anywhere from $180-million to $300-million, consultants found. It’s not clear who would pay for that, with the port authority disputing the notion that airline passengers are the main source of increased congestion in an area booming with condos.

Ultimately, says deputy city manager John Livey, the city needs to know how big the airport is going to be. That’s why staff want the port authority to create a “master plan” that spells out some of those specifics, and how to pay for the growth. “Are we going to be dealing with 4.8, five million people? Are we going to be dealing with the 2.3 million currently with a modest increase?” asked Mr. Livey. “Is this going to be a type of convenient airport that we have come to love and expect or is it going to be a bigger airport with many more impacts on the existing community and the city as a whole?”

In a statement, the port authority maintains council has enough information now to make a decision, and that further studies would be unwarranted without that determination. Deputy Mayor Kelly agrees that 2015 is too long to wait. He stressed the importance of growing a vital city asset, and worried that the opportunity would be lost if an anti-airport mayor rose to power next year. “There are some things that you could study to death,” said Mr. Kelly.

Citizen advocacy group NoJets TO said it would be “reckless” and “irresponsible” to forge ahead given staff’s misgivings. And Councillor David Shiner, a member of the executive committee, said if the Toronto Port Authority cannot answer how it is going to manage issues at the airport, then city council cannot sign off.

National Post