WHO WE ARE

Community Air members march against the Island Airport.

CommunityAIR, Community Airport Impact Review, or CAIR as it is often called, was founded in 2001.  This non-profit, volunteer, community group is made up of residents who dedicate their time and energies to closing the island airport and returning the lands to public use.  At present there are about 2,000 members.

Over the years CAIR has dealt with many different issues, but they all relate in some way to efforts to close the island airport and efforts to achieve a clean, green waterfront.  CAIR supports the fixed rail link to Pearson International Airport; the group supports rapid rail transport along the Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City corridor; and CAIR members criticize short-haul flights because they produce more air pollution and global warming gases than any other form of transportation per kilometre travelled.  All of these issues are connected to the long-range goal of closing the island airport.

Many CommunityAIR members, but not all, live along the waterfront.  Waterfront residents can see first hand the impact of the island airport. Brian Iler, the chair of the group, lives at Yonge and College, while Dennis Findlay, secretary, lives at Dundas and Parliament.  CAIR draws on support from across Toronto. 

CAIR has supported politicians from all three political parties in various federal, provincial and municipal elections.  We support these politicians because they support our aims of either closing the island airport or stopping airport expansion.

CAIR was successful during the 2003 mayoral campaign in keep the issue of the island airport expansion before the public.  David Miller’s opposition to airport expansion helped the voters recognize that he was a politician much different from the other candidates for mayor.

CAIR founder, Allan Sparrow (left).

CAIR was originally founded by Allan Sparrow.  Allan served two terms as a Toronto city councillor in the 1960s and ‘70s.  Later he became a business consultant and remained a community activist.  Allan was involved in CAIR until 2003, when ill health forced him to retire. 

Jane Jacobs, the late, legendary urban critic and community activist, spoke out against the island airport and lent her name to the CAIR efforts to close the airport.  In a speech sponsored by CommunityAIR she said “Expanding the Toronto island airport will undermine the downtown's economy and livability and intensify pollution and smog from Oshawa to Oakville. I urge Torontonians to close down this dangerous Trojan horse and get on with planning constructive and delightful ways of using our magnificent lakeside assets.”

Marc Brien was the researcher for CAIR until 2006.  His work played an especially important role in defining the aims and objectives of the group, analyzing the hazards of airports and their impact on surrounding communities.
Sue Sparrow was the organizer of CAIR for the first five years.  It was Sue who talked to the politicians, organized leaflets, raised money and drew people together. 

CommunityAIR Board 2007-08

Brian Iler, chair: Brian is a lawyer and community activist.  As a sailboat enthusiast and former commodore of the Alexandra Yacht Club, Brian became aware of the need to close the island airport to protect waterfront boating and recreation.  Brian is the chief spokesperson for the group.

Dennis Findlay, secretary: is a downtown community activist.  He also heads Waterfront Action, a group of citizens involved in planning issues across the entire waterfront.

Bill Freeman, treasurer: Bill writes books, plays and documentary film scripts.  He was spokesperson for CommunityAIR for four years after Allan Sparrow retired.  He is also the author of most of the website.

Pam Mazza, executive and board member: Pam is active in many groups across the waterfront.  She has a special interest in planning and environmental issues and is an avid sailor.

Leida Englar, board member: Leida is a visual artist.  She is the founder and was artistic director of the community theatrical group Shadowland for many years.  Leida and her husband Jerry are the leaders of the Friday evening demonstrations.

Barry Lipton, board member: Barry has been active in community, labour and environmental issues since coming to Toronto from Saskatchewan. 

Rebecca Quigley, board member, is the manager of a co-op in the Bathurst Quay neighbourhood and is experienced in community development. 

Brenda Roman, board member: Brenda has lived in a co-op in the Bathurst Quay neighbourhood since the neighbourhood was built in 1986.  Brenda became alarmed to learn from CommunityAIR research that the community she grew up in has a high risk for cancer because of its proximity to a major airport.