The Canadian International Air Show has roared over the city this weekend. Here’s why some Torontonians aren’t happy about it

While the Air Show might be a time-honoured tradition in Toronto, some have grown fed up with the noise produced by the aircraft.Here’s how Torontonians are reacting to the noise.

As anyone living near downtown Toronto will be able to tell you, the Canadian International Air Show has been taking place this weekend.

A major part of the CNE, the Air Show is a demonstration in which professional pilots take to the skies to perform stunts and synchronized manoeuvres using specialty aircraft. The show, now in its 74th year, serves as a finale to the CNE, with planes blazing across the sky at low heights for over three hours per day in the lead-up to Labour Day.

While the Air Show might be a time-honoured tradition in Toronto, some have grown fed up with the noise produced by the aircraft. One GTA resident, data enthusiast Ingrid Buday, logged the noise at a maximum of 110 dBZ, comparable to a police siren or trombone playing for an extended period of time.

"The Air Show is amazing technology, and it's thrilling and exhilarating," she said in an interview. "But now I have to ask: what's the cost of that? And what's the cost on the environment, and the cost to people? We need to re-evaluate this. Maybe this isn't the time to advertise war machines."

Buday, who has also logged sound emissions from illegal stunt driving, says the noise might be far more than merely unpleasant for some Toronto residents.

"How many people are recovering from mental illness, or have PTSD?," she asked. "How many people will be impacted negatively by this? This noise is unfair. It's created by one, and it impacts many."

While some Toronto residents feel the Air Show is an important tradition, Buday feels it might be time for this one to be re-evaluated.