Robert Deluce’s Airport Dream

Whether or not you agree with the idea of a busy airport on Toronto’s waterfront, it seems Robert Deluce is intent on pressing ahead with the launch of Porter Airlines - a move that’s also got Air Canada excited again about the Island Airport. Unless there is a bold political move to stop the airport from expanding, perhaps the best move would be to let Deluce buy new airplanes so he can start operating. This may sound weird given I’m opposed to the idea of waterfront revitalization including an aiport but perhaps we should let business fundamentals stop something that citizens are unable to do. If you look back, airlines out of the island have not done well economically for a variety of reasons - some of them having to do with the lack of a permanent link. Deluce thinks he can be successful by having a low cost structure - and with help of the evil Toronto Port Authority, which plans to start ferry service from Cherry Beach. I say: spend $500-million on new airplanes and go for it. I have a funny feeling, however, that even with the TPA’s new ferry service, Porter Airlines will struggle financially. Then, don’t be surprised to see Deluce lobby aggressively for a bridge to airport as a way to “save” his investment.

We’re Doomed Financially…But Be Happy (?)

There is an interesting contract in the weekend papers in terms of Toronto’s future. The  Toronto Star’s GTA secton on Saturday has several stories about how the city is doomed financially because it simply doesn’t have the revenue and taxation sources to pay for all the services it provides. To be honest, it’s disheartening because it paints a picture of a city in financial crisis with only one way to go: down. Unless something dramatic happens - and I’m not sure it’s just a New Deal with Queen’s Park - all the things we like about Toronto will disappear: clean streets, social services, well-run community centres, low user-fees, accessible services for people with lower incomes, etc. Royson James offers up the more troubling scenario with the possibility that Toronto may have to declare bankruptcy one day - much like what New York City did. Meanwhile, the Globe’s John Barber tells us in Saturday’s paper to “don’t worry, be happy” - suggesting our concerns about traffic congestion, a lack of parking spots, etc. shouldn’t really concern us. Maybe, he’s the eternal optimistic, while the Star is riding the attention-grabbing doom and gloom pony. In any event, I’m feeling terribly uneasy about Toronto’s future. We just don’t seem to have the leadership to create a vision for the future or the financial formula to ensure the city keeps working efficiently. At some point, something’s got to give.

Dupont St.’s Gentrification: Ha!

There was a story in Saturday’s Globe & Mail about how Dupont St. is slowly being gentrified between Davenport and Spadina. It cites the opening of a new LCBO, a chocolate shop and a French bakery as signs that Dupont will shuck its role as a travel routeto become a quasi-retail strip. As much as I’d like to see it happen, Dupont is what it is - a busy route for people trying to get across mid-town. Still, there’s lot of potential. The land where the 24-hour IGA on Dupont & Shaw has huge potential for residential/retail redevelopment. It would also be nice to see a Firkin-like pub open on the Dupont where you could have a beer and taken the kids for dinner.

Will Fare Hike Hurt TTC Ridership?

Faced with a budget shortfall and a choice between cutting service and raising fares, the TTC has decided to boost fares across the board. The question is whether it will hurt ridership, which has been climbing steadily as the city gets busier and people realize it’s an efficient way to get around. My hunch is it won’t reduce the number of people taking the TTC because what choice do people really have these days? Gasoline prices are rising, there is more congestion than ever and more people are working. It all means the TTC has become more important than ever. The sad part is there’s no money to expand the system - let alone build some badly-needed subway or LRT lines to make the TTC is more attractive and easier to use. Can you imagine what the TTC would look like today if Mike Harris’ PCs hadn’t killed plans to build subways acrross Eglinton and Shepherd (not the line that goes to nowhere now on Shepherd)?

Election Promises - Bring ‘em On

Can’t wait to hear what the federal election brings in terms of promises made to woo voters in Toronto. I’m willing to bet there will be tons of money for public transportation, waterfront renewal, the arts and public housing. Whatever is currently on Toronto’s wish list will likely be addressed by Mr. Layton, Mr. Harper and Mr. Martin. Unfortunately, very few or none of these promises are likely to become action. As most Toronto-ians know - or should know - is these guys are just trying to get us in bed by whispering sweet nothings in our collective ears. They don’t really mean what they say because they don’t believe it. Look at the Liberals’ terrible track record for the past decade. We get little love even though billions of our taxpayer dollars are dutifully sent up to Ottawa where they spend it on things such as embossed golf balls and Canadian flags. Can’t wait for my MP to come to the door!