While working to deliver a draft plan regarding the development of a Pickering Airport (2001–2004), the GTAA maintained community involvement as one of its top priorities. GTAA outreach initiatives included the following:
- Pickering Site Office – ensured ongoing dialogue, increased accessibility and served as a public information centre to welcome people with questions about the GTAA, and to provide information on the status of the project (2002–2009).
- Pickering Advisory Committee (PAC) – established in 2002 to advise the GTAA on issues related to the planning for a possible airport ton the Pickering Lands; membership included municipal leaders, economic representatives and residents from the surrounding regions.
- Two working groups to advise PAC:
- Government Affairs Working Group (GAWG) – provided detailed discussions on government initiatives that may impact, or could be impacted by, the planning of a possible airport on the Pickering Lands; membership included municipal, provincial and federal governments.
- Community Communications Working Group (CCWG) – established to develop and implement the GTAA’s community outreach efforts; comprised of citizen representatives from the local communities on and around the Pickering Lands.
- Seven public information sessions held in neighbouring communities in the fall/winter of 2002.
- A series of community workshops on various airport planning topics held in winter/spring 2003.
- A booth at a variety of community events in 2003, including the Canadian Aviation Expo, the Buttonville Municipal Airport’s Annual Open House and the Greenwood Community Festival.
- A bi-monthly newsletter, the Pickering Bulletin, dedicated to providing current news and information with regards to the GTAA’s planning work on the Pickering Lands (2003–2005).
- Articles published in the GTAA’s Toronto Pearson Today newsletter.
- Ongoing meetings with local community and business groups.
