City Council Pushes Back Against Airport Expansion Plan

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Toronto city council is urging the repeal of a law that allows Premier Doug Ford’s government to seize city-owned waterfront land for the proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Council voted 25-1 on Wednesday in support of Mayor Olivia Chow’s motion asking the provincial government to scrap the legislation.

Toronto mayor Olivia Chow

This vote comes as uncertainty looms over Ford’s plan to expand the island airport. Last week, the federal government stated it wouldn’t back the proposed expansion “at this stage,” after public consultations showed that 87 percent of participants opposed changes to the airport.

“At this stage, I can confirm that our focus lies exclusively on the approved safety enhancements,” Mac Kinnon said in a statement. The minister also mentioned that the federal government will not pursue any plans that “infringe on treasured public spaces like Little Norway Park or Hanlan’s Point Beach, result in elevated noise, have significant environmental impacts, or hinder Toronto’s ability to build much-needed housing.”

However, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria indicated that the province does not plan to repeal the legislation and insists that the airport expansion proposal is still alive.

The law would empower the province to take control of waterfront lands such as Little Norway Park, parts of the Toronto Islands, and Hanlan’s Point. It also gives them authority to replace Toronto in managing Billy Bishop airport under a tripartite agreement.

“The waterfront belongs to everyone,” Chow stated. “The province can imagine whatever they want to and spend money doing whatever they want to, but for us, I say ‘No, because people have spoken.’”

The Ford administration argues that expanding Billy Bishop could enhance Toronto’s air connectivity and boost economic competitiveness. However, residents and local officials are concerned about how increased aviation activity might affect both the waterfront and Toronto Islands.

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