Background
Recently, there have been many requests to light the Apron Tower from the community, as well as GTAA and TPEC staff. In order to consider these requests, a number of factors need to be taken into consideration. This paper serves as a guide for lighting the Apron Tower, as well as for evaluating requests from community organizations and staff.
Holiday and Special Events Lighting
An annual lighting schedule will be created to celebrate national holidays, seasons, major cultural and national events.
Several “go-to” options will be pre-programmed, based on common holidays and anticipated commemorative dates (for example, Remembrance Day, New Year’s Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, etc).
Lighting will also commemorate Toronto’s professional sports teams for:
- First home game of the season
- First playoff game (full series will depend on previous bookings)
- In celebration of winning a playoff series
- When hosting pro-league all-star games.
Compliance per the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
CAR 302.10(h)
“No person shall:
…
(h) at or in the vicinity of an airport, knowingly display a marker, marking, sign, light or signal that is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety by causing glare or by causing confusion with or preventing clear visual perception of a marker, marking, sign, light or signal that is required under this Subpart”
CAR 601.21:
“Subject to section 601.21, no person shall project or cause to be projected a directed bright light source into navigable airspace in such a manner as to create a hazard to aviation safety or cause damage to an aircraft or injury to persons on board the aircraft.”
Special Requests from Community Organizations and Staff
The GTAA will consider requests from Community Organizations provided they meet the following conditions:
- Comply with Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs): CAR 302.10(h) “No person shall: … (h) at or in the vicinity of an airport, knowingly display a marker, marking, sign, light or signal that is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety by causing glare or by causing confusion with or preventing clear visual perception of a marker, marking, sign, light or signal that is required under this Subpart” CAR 601.21: “Subject to section 601.21, no person shall project or cause to be projected a directed bright light source into navigable airspace in such a manner as to create a hazard to aviation safety or cause damage to an aircraft or injury to persons on board the aircraft.”
- Nondenominational
- Non-political An international, national, provincial or local charitable occasion or cause
- Comply with the Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Legislation
The GTAA will not consider requests for the following:
- Commercial requests (e.g. product launches, corporate events, conventions)
- Personal occasions (e.g. birthdays, anniversaries)
- Religious or political events or observances
- Institutions or professions (e.g. hospitals, schools)
- Specific agencies or individuals (needs to be aligned with actual "cause" not the agency or event) i.e. Breast Cancer Awareness Month, not Run For the Cure.
- Nations that are not recognized by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Intent that is contrary to GTAA policies Organizations that espouse hatred, violence, or racism
- Organizations/causes that have already lit the tower in their requested colours in the same calendar year
Recommendations
Lighting Committee
- It is recommended that a Lighting Committee be established and maintained annually.
- It is recommended that the Community Relations team chairs the Lighting Committee.
- The Lighting Committee should consist of 6 people and include members from Airport Operations.
Review
- This process should be reviewed at the start of a new year.
- Evaluation/community response should be gathered based on the responses on social media and general community (internal and external) responses/complaints.
Emergency Cancellation
Contact AOC (416) 776-3055 to dispatch building electrical or BMS to turn lights off.
Committee Members
Committee Chair - Kathy Bochan, Senior Officer, Community Outreach
Committee Co-Chair – Kathryn Hanford, Manager, Community Outreach and Programs
Corrinne Burling, Program Manager, Organizational Learning
Robert Seaton, Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Paul Woods, Manager, Aviation Regulatory Programs
Matthew Fischer, Manager, Apron Management Unit
Anthony Cristiano, Technical Support Specialist, Utilities, Electrical
Humberto Melo, Manager, Building Electrical
2024 schedule
An annual lighting schedule will celebrate national holidays, seasons, and certain major City, cultural and national events.
Lighting begins at sunset and concludes at sunrise the next morning except during spring and fall bird migration periods during which time lighting concludes at 11:00 pm.
To submit your request, review our tower lighting policy [PDF 243 KB] and send your request to community.engagement@gtaa.com.