- The federal government rejected Ontario’s Billy Bishop airport expansion plan.
- Over 87,000 public consultation responses were received.
- The government cited impacts on Little Norway Park and Hanlan’s Point Beach.
- Doug Ford stated the expansion could increase traffic from 2 million to 10 million passengers.
- Olivia Chow thanked the federal government and called for the return of city land.
Canada’s federal government has rejected Ontario’s plan to expand Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport to accommodate jets on a longer runway. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon stated public consultations received feedback on transportation, noise, environmental impacts and quality of life, with more than 87,000 responses received. The government will not pursue any plans that infringe on public spaces like Little Norway Park or Hanlan’s Point Beach or result in elevated noise.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government recently passed legislation to take over the city’s spot in a tripartite agreement governing Billy Bishop airport. The law also gave Ontario the power to take over city-owned lands along the adjacent waterfront and Toronto Islands to facilitate an expansion. Ford stated the airport expansion could increase passenger traffic from two million a year to 10 million.
Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated the province will continue trying to advance an expansion, saying it would add up to $8.5bn a year to the Canadian economy and create thousands of jobs. Mayor Olivia Chow thanked the Prime Minister and Transport Minister for listening to the people of Toronto and called on the province to return the city’s land. The Toronto Port Authority will focus on the current safety expansion at Billy Bishop airport.
