Tri-Cities mayors concerned about new YVR arrivals flight path over their communities
The mayors of Port Coquitlam and Port Moody want Nav Canada — the organization that creates flight paths for airports across the country — to pause its plans for a new YVR arrivals route that will direct many large airplanes over their communities.
Currently, most planes that arrive at Vancouver International Airport from the east fly over Delta and northern Richmond. New proposed maps have many planes travelling over the Tri-Cities instead, in what Nav Canada is calling its first revamp of the YVR arrivals route since 2007. The agency says the new path will help it safely manage the complex urban airspace, reduce pollution and accommodate new growth.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West says he can’t any get information about what the new route will mean for residents of his city.
“The only thing we are told is there is going to be an additional number of aircraft, it’s going to be a new route, and it’s going to take those planes over very, very residential parts of our community,” said West.
He says he has asked Nav Canada to provide information on the number of planes and how low they will fly, but can’t get any answers.
“The only thing they have assured the public is that it would not exceed 55 decibels in terms of noise, however I have learned that they don’t even have a system to monitor noise levels in our community,” said West, who added he only learned about the proposed flight path changes in the past week.
Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti was also in the dark about the plans for more aircraft over her community until recently.
“I think our biggest issue apart from the noise is the consultation that took place, or the inadequate notification of the project,” she said.
While Nav Canada did hold several in-person and virtual information sessions, the mayors say most residents had no idea they were happening, and the consultation period ends on Friday.
“It seems they are doing this consultation just to tick a box and go through the motions. It does not seem like a genuine attempt to consult with the public who are going to be impacted,” said West.
“What I’d really like to see an an extension of the consultation period, so the community can really get some answers to some of the concerns that they have,” said Lehti.
Both mayors have written letters to Nav Canada asking for more detail about the flight plans and more time for their residents to provide feedback. West has also asked that a Nav Canada representative come to Port Coquitlam in person to address city council.
“This is something that is new, that there is no information about, and that has the potential to impact people’s quality of life, and obviously they have questions they want answered,” said West. “Someone should be making themselves available to answer those questions.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to start evacuating from the area, signalling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent.