Mar 11, 2008 - 03:36 PM

By Kristen Calis

PICKERING -- The long-time designation of lands for a possible airport in north Pickering has actually turned into a golden opportunity, says a Brougham resident and local historian.

"We've got this accidental blessing," Mary Delaney says. "It would never have been had it not been zoned for an airport and put in trust."

Ms. Delaney, a founding member of Land Over Landings, is talking about the agricultural lands in north Pickering that would have probably been paved over for subdivisions by now had it not been for that designation, she explains, and says this affects more than just the locals.

"This is not a bunch of 'left-wing loonies' that are fighting this," she says.

North Pickering had a recent anniversary on March 2: it marked 36 years since the federal government announced it would expropriate 7,500 hectares of farmland for the possibility of an airport in north Pickering. A final decision still hasn't been made, but it has brought people in north Pickering together to challenge the federal government on its decisions and plans, and some have been fighting it from day one.

"One of the best things that came out of that thing is the friends you made," LOL member Michael Robertson says.

Immediately after the airport plan was announced, People or Planes was formed. Mr. Robertson was part of that group, fighting to keep the community alive, and even flew one of his hand gliders onto Parliament Hill. Women occupied homes so they wouldn't get demolished, and one even put herself in front of a bulldozer. At the time, Mr. Robertson explains the members took these actions because they wanted to save the community. However, hundreds have been evicted, businesses have closed, and a number of homes continue to be demolished. He sees better things for Brougham now than he did 36 years ago.

"I remember, in and around that, thinking firstly, 'it's insane'," he says from the home he's rented from the feds from the time he moved in.

Now, he explains, LOL focuses on an area that affects more people than just the small group of people left on the lands: the environment.

"There weren't as many people (back then) that were environmentally conscious," he says. "Stopping the airport is secondary. It's about saving our land."

First, air travel is harmful to the environment, he explains. He also refers to a number of nearby airports, such as Hamilton International Airport, that are too underused to justify another one.

"We've got to get high-speed rail going," he says.

Mr. Robertson's greatest focus is on the Grade A agricultural farmland, hence the changing of 'People Or Planes' to 'Land Over Landings' in 2005. Mr. Robertson says regardless of if an airport is needed, it cannot be in north Pickering.

"I don't like to call it a fight," he says. "I think of it more of an action."

Gabrielle Untermann, LOL secretary, explains the goal to stop the airport remains. However, she explains there are different pieces of the pie: the community and houses in Brougham; the future use of land; stopping the airport; and, climate change.

"It's a bigger issue than just stopping the airport," she says. "I think that because of the growing awareness of climate change and things we have to do to stop it, that is playing into our cause."

Ms. Delaney agrees the lands are perfect for agriculture, but the local historian is very passionate about heritage structures. She notes the airport lands contain a number of homes that are culturally significant to Pickering, but the federal government only recognizes those of federal significance. For example, the Brougham Hall was built in 1850 and has not received a designation.

"If that doesn't have local heritage significance, I don't know what does," she says.

In an e-mail, Transport Canada regional communications advisor Tina Bouchard says TC is committed to protecting and preserving ecologically sensitive land, and TC has reconfirmed the need to protect 40 per cent of the Pickering lands as "green space.

"Transport Canada's stewardship of the Green Space portion has the potential to lead by example by embodying the principles of sustainable development," she wrote.

But, the decision on the airport is ultimately in the hands of the government. LOL is heavily involved in the political process, writing letters and making its presence known by holding rallies and demonstrations. Ms. Untermann believes a concerted effort of all levels of government is needed to sort out the issue. Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland is one politician who has openly declared opposition to the airport. Mr. Robertson explains the Liberals had committed to a peer review on transportation needs in Southern Ontario, but now that the Conservatives are in power "it's back to square one." For example, in May, Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon announced the Greater Toronto Airports Authority would complete the Needs Assessment Study to make a decision on whether an airport is needed or not, and some criticized the move, saying the GTAA has too great an interest to conduct the review.

"That's just embarrassing," Mr. Robertson says. "It's embarrassing to be a Canadian when that happens."

Ms. Bouchard explains since TC did not have the proper resources to conduct the study itself, it chose to contract it out, and four bids came in.

"The bids were then evaluated by a qualified team of experts in Transport Canada according to evaluation criteria, resulting in a contract being awarded to the GTAA," she says. "The GTAA will present its findings to Transport Canada; Transport Canada will then decide on next steps." She added TC plans to invite "technical representatives" from the community and stakeholders to participate in the due diligence review.

Land Over Landings meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Brougham Hall, and it always welcomes newcomers. Visit www.landoverlandings.com.