Pembroke Airport Land Rule Repealed

Summary#

This Ontario private bill updates the rules for the Pembroke and Area Airport Commission. It removes an old rule from the 1992 law about how the Commission can sell, lease, or otherwise transfer land.

• Repeals a section of the 1992 Act that dealt with disposing of airport land.
• The goal is to remove “outdated” land rules and rely on current, standard laws instead.
• Does not change how the airport operates day to day.
• Takes effect as soon as it becomes law.
• Updates the short title to the 2025 Act.

What it means for you#

• Residents near the airport

  • The airport’s special, older rule for land sales or leases would be removed.
  • Any future land deals by the Commission would follow current laws and local planning rules, not the old special rule.
  • No direct change to flights, hours, or airport services.

• Local businesses and developers

  • The change could make it clearer how to arrange a lease or purchase of airport land, since the outdated rule is removed.
  • Day-to-day business with the airport is otherwise unchanged.

• Municipal and regional governments

  • The Commission would no longer use the repealed special rule from 1992 for land transactions.
  • Future land decisions would be handled under today’s general legal and planning framework.

• Airport users and workers

  • No immediate change to airport operations, jobs, or fees.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Modernizes an old law so the Commission can manage its property under today’s rules.
• Reduces red tape tied to outdated land requirements.
• May help economic activity around the airport by making land deals simpler to handle.
• Brings the Commission’s land processes in line with current municipal and provincial practices.

Opponents' View#

• Removing a special rule could reduce oversight or public input on land sales or leases.
• Worry that public assets could be sold or leased too easily or without enough transparency.
• Concern about land uses that might increase noise or traffic if new development follows.
• Questions about accountability: who reviews major land decisions after the old rule is gone.