The speakers today are Kathryn and Dereck. Kathryn leads the community outreach team connecting with Toronto Pearson’s neighbours around the GTA. Dereck Gray is a steward of the environment program at Toronto Pearson.

 

The vision of Pearson Airport is to be the best airport in the world. It is managed and operated by GTAA since 1996. As a global hub airport, Toronto Pearson does more than just connect passengers to places. It connects people with jobs, our neighbours to opportunities, and investments to the region.

 

Toronto Pearson is Canada and North America’s natural gateway to the world. Each day, more than 120,000 passengers travel to or through their doors. Over the past decade, Toronto Pearson has expanded its operations to serve the region’s residents and businesses. In the next eight years, they are looking to moving to 80 million passengers (now 44.3 mill). Growth, however, can have an impact especially on surrounding communities. With their new Noise Management Action Plan, the culmination of two years of extensive study and consultation, they intend to make Toronto Pearson an international leader in aviation noise management.

 

Environmental services: They utilize a management system (ISO 14001) approach to mitigate the environmental impacts of airport and airport operations. Their main focus is climate change, reducing their impact and adapting to the changing climate. There are concerns about everything we breathe in.

 

How can they make sure they listen to the priorities of their neighbours?

Through community outreach, community investment and noise management.

 

The following are Pearson Airport’s ten commitments to the community:

 

 

The Rotary Club of Brampton welcomes Steve Allin from the Journey Neighbourhood Centre. Rotary has been a tremendous support. The Journey is committed to bringing hope and transformation to the Ardglen/Orenda communities, working alongside children, youth and families, as they take positive steps in their lives. When you work with people who are challenged in life, we need to bring hope first.

 

Ardglen captured their heart, $360,000 raised to help families restart after the fire that left 18 families homeless. You have to build trust with the community, without trust you can’t do anything.

 

Last year a provincial grant was received to establish a second center in the Orenda Court neighbourhood and they took possession of a ground floor apartment unit at 80 Orenda Court. Since then they have established their presence in Orenda with a series of events, community and agency meetings and most importantly the launching of programs within the community.

 

Peel, our neighbourhood, has a young population, more lone parent families, lower income, lower home ownership and higher mobility. The objective for this year is to concentrate on challenges connecting with families.

 

With the Rotary support, the Journey is making a difference in the lives of the children, youth and families of the Ardglen/Orenda neighbourhood, as well as enriching the lives of those who lead, volunteer and serve.