Toronto – Studies conducted over more than two decades have identified jet pollution as a risk to public health, including reports which have specifically considered the introduction of jets to Billy Bishop Airport and raise concerns regarding the increased risk of cancer, tumours, respiratory illness, and premature death.
Councillor Josh Matlow is moving a motion at the upcoming city council meeting that calls on Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health to investigate data related to the potential health consequences of introducing jets in close proximity to residential areas, and to conduct its own independent assessment of the potential health consequences to Toronto’s waterfront communities and related costs to our healthcare system.
“Public health and safety cannot be sacrificed for any other interests” said Councillor Matlow; “without provincial leadership, it falls to the City of Toronto to ensure that these health risks are thoroughly investigated, that residents are well-informed and protected, and that Doug Ford is forced to confront the potential consequences of his actions.”
Councillor Chris Moise, Chair of the Board of Health, is seconding the motion, saying "As Chair of the Board of Health I know how important it is for residents to have a clear voice on decisions that will impact their wellbeing. Doug Ford wants to take that away by stripping Toronto of its seat at the table on the future of Billy Bishop. That's unacceptable. We are going to continue to use every tool we have to make sure our residents are heard."
Initial data:
- A 2013 report produced by Toronto Public Health regarding health impacts associated with Billy Bishop Airport expansion includes findings that increased air pollution “increases risk of premature death, and cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes”, in addition to other health concerns related to traffic and water quality.
- A 2017 environmental assessment commissioned by the Toronto Port Authority, based on a much more limited expansion than is currently being proposed, identifies that emissions associated with jet pollution can cause increased risks of respiratory illness, cardiopulmonary problems, lung cancers, lesions in upper airways, and increased risk of developing respiratory tract tumours.
- In 2024, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine published a study on the health effects of “ultrafine particles”, a form of pollution emitted by jets, which found that 600 non-accidental deaths already occur every year in Toronto at current emission levels.