The Calgary Airport Authority pushed through the construction of a new runway under the guise of needing a place for the world's largest aircraft to land.
In actuality, the runway has become a license to indiscriminantly distribute air traffic over previously quiet neighbourhoods all over the city as well as over surrounding areas.
Adequate impact studies were not conducted and residents in affected areas outside of city limits were deprived of the opportunity to voice their concerns prior to the buidling of the new runway.
The result is that residents as far away as one hour North of the airport have seen the quiet character of their communities destroyed by intolerable noise levels. Some have been forced to give up their homes due to the launch of this new runway.
The airport's defense is that it has already spent $2-billion so nothing can be done. In other words, residents who are displeased can lose all that they have built and move.
When were airports granted absolute power to destroy entire communities by severely affecting the quality of life of residents?
We ask that Transport Canada close this new runway until the extent of damages can be assessed. An airport should not be able to impose its agenda on communities without an adequate consultation process.
Why should Canadians lose their homes to accomodate the greed of an airport authority?
This terrible wrong needs to be rectified and a strong message sent to other airports: Canadians will not be forced to give up the essence of their communities without adequate justification and consultation.
Please join us in righting this wrong and preventing future damage in other parts of the country.
