Goals

The 18,600 acres of land expropriated for an airport in 1972 stand today as an oasis in the midst of urban sprawl. Land Over Landings seeks to protect the land by focussing on the following issues, while recognizing the efforts of many other environmental and political groups in the area.*

Stopping the Airport

An airport of any size or type is neither needed nor wanted by the overwhelming number of citizens and politicians in the municipalities affected. No credible business case has ever been made, nor is it compatible with environmentally sustainable practices. Only by ensuring that no airport is ever built on these sensitive lands can we ensure their continued green use for generations to come.

Promoting the Creation of an Independent Land Trust

Land Over Landings believes that only through the creation of an independent Land Trust, working at arm’s length from the government, can we adequately protect these lands and ensure their wise use for generations to come. Such a Land Trust would allow for continued farming and tenancy of the lands, by providing long-term leases under specified guidelines.

Protecting Farmland

Land Over Landings supports the slow food, eating locally and 'field to table' movements that seek to reduce dependency on imported foods. We support protection of farmlands in the Greater Toronto Area from urban sprawl and recognize that these acres of Class A agricultural land must be protected to provide food for the largest urban population in the country. We strive to end farming practices such as mass planting of feed grains for animals and support wise farming practices, including organic farming. With long-term leases under a Land Trust we believe farmers would benefit from the potential of a predictable income stream and the ability to be better stewards of their land.

Preserving Community and Heritage Structures

The expropriated lands once were home to hundreds of farms and several thriving communities. Since 1972 hundreds of businesses, houses and farm buildings have been bulldozed. In addition, many homes have been boarded up and not re-tenanted. Land Over Landings continues to urge Transport Canada to allow tenants to occupy these homes, and to grant longer leases to create stable communities. We also urge protection for the remaining heritage buildings.

Educating the Public

Land Over Landings endeavours to keep the federal lands in the public eye and to inform citizens on issues past, present and future with guest speakers, school visits, screenings of The Last Stand, maintenance of a web site, booths at events, and responses to media and government reports.

Being a Watchdog over the GTAA and Transport Canada

Interested citizens and anti-airport groups are anxiously awaiting a long-overdue report from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, commissioned by Transport Canada. Land Over Landings monitors statements and activities by both agencies, including attending the GTAA’s annual meeting, and will be prepared to respond when the report is finally released.

Communicating & cooperating with related environmental groups

Fighting the creation of an airport and protecting these lands for green uses involves dedicated efforts by many groups and individuals. Land Over Landings promises to work with these groups towards the common goal of protecting the federal lands, and to support the efforts of groups with similar causes, particularly those within close proximity to the federal lands.

* Many issues and causes affect the North Pickering federal lands. We have provided contact information for other related groups on our Links page, as well as government and business links for further research or to communicate with politicians.