The federal government has shut down plans to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, citing concerns about public space, housing, noise and environmental impacts, despite continued support for the project from Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced Friday that Ottawa will focus exclusively on approved runway safety upgrades already underway at the airport, effectively ending plans for a major expansion. The proposal would have included a longer runway and the introduction of jet service, allowing larger aircraft to use the airport, which currently accommodates only smaller planes.
“At this stage, I can confirm that our focus lies exclusively on the approved safety enhancements,” MacKinnon said in his statement. The minister added 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.”
MacKinnon said more than 87,000 responses were received through Transport Canada’s consultation process examining the future of Billy Bishop Airport, and said public feedback helped shape the federal decision.
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The minister noted that Billy Bishop remains a critical part of Canada’s air transportation network and pointed to the airport’s recently opened customs pre-clearance facility, supported by a $30-million federal investment. He however said that any future discussions about the airport must reflect the concerns raised by Toronto residents.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow applauded the decision and thanked the federal government for intervening.
“I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Minister of Transportation for listening to the people of Toronto,” Chow said in her statement. “Thank you to everyone who spoke out, shared your voice, and stood up for our community. Your relentless advocacy has made a difference.”
With the expansion no longer proceeding, Chow is also calling on the Ontario government to return city-owned land associated with the proposal. “Together, we can continue working to protect our waterfront for future generations,” the mayor said.
The Toronto Port Authority, which owns and operates Billy Bishop Airport, confirmed it has been informed that Ottawa remains focused on completing the airport’s Runway End Safety Areas project.
“The Toronto Port Authority will work to fulfil this initiative and ensure the needs of the city and region are met for the future,” the authority said.
In a statement, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province remains committed to advancing airport expansion.
“We look forward to continuing to work to advance the expansion of Billy Bishop Airport,” Sarkaria said, arguing the project could contribute up to $8.5 billion annually to Canada’s economy, create thousands of jobs and improve connectivity for travellers and businesses.
Sarkaria said any future plan should protect public spaces, address potential noise and environmental impacts, improve Little Norway Park, support new housing opportunities and deliver benefits for local communities.
The Billy Bishop proposal was never formally approved, but supporters argued it could significantly expand the airport’s role in regional and international travel.
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The champagne socialists who think this is a win are the same people who go to a “Farmers Market” in May and think that they are buying local food.
Ottawa can clear-cut and block wildlife and people access to a kilometer wide swath across 1000kms of the LPC heartland of Canada without concern for the hardship on the people, animals and commerce affected or the environment, but are vetoing Sugar Daddy Doug’s Billy Bishop Airport expansion because of it.
It’s almost as if the LPC has forgotten all the time and effort Doug put into getting Carney elected.
Hey Ben, no we did not say no. Chris Glover said no and the squatters in cottages on the island said no.
This is pure democracy in action where our Federal government listed to the citizens of Toronto who overwhelmingly said NO to this expansion.
To Wayne’s point, Australia a smaller country with less population has a better economy than us.
Not sure I understand the “environmental issues”, seems like a cop out and flip flop by Carney.
Vinny the airport has been there for 90 yeara. The city grew up around it. The impact is positive not negative.
I guess none of you know the impacts to the environment but so doesn’t the provincial government. They opted to not do the study afterall. Can’t know the damage if you ignore it. The Conservative way
I guess privatizing Pearson could bring in more money if there’s no competition… So in that case it makes sense.
Not so much sense in this having economic or environmental benefits though.
That’s one way for the federal government to save money
Oh no. I hope Billy’s not too pissed off
These are the reasons why Canada is the only G20 country with negative growth the last 2 quarters.
I get that airports are federal jurisdiction, but their role should be nothing more than a rubber stamp approval if that’s what the province wants.
Too much paternalism and interference from the ideological federal Liberals in what should be a provincial matter.
It is quite hilarious that all morning long this has been the second news items on the homepage. Talk about trying to make a tempest in a teapot, and while burying the NATO espionage story and all the stories about our poor economy.
To the previous two comments
This was not just Provincial. Carney wanted it too. This is a flip-flop to appease a small vocal minority.
The environmental line is a very weak excuse. The planes would be marginally bigger than they are now, and there would not be more of them since the airport has just one runway running at near max capacity and with flights ending at 10pm. There is no exhaust concerns either. This is a windswept tiny island and far enough from the island squatters in their cottages.
What a predicament for Suggar Daddy Doug, eh?
Well, thank goodness, Dougie trump’s plans are halted. Toronto can breathe easy for now.
The environmental argument is pretty weak outside of local downtown air but it would certainly be a shame if it made our Centre Island parks, Waterfront district and lakeside parks throughout the city smell like exhaust more than it already does due to cars, boats and the current planes.
Other than that, I do not think it would necessarily lead to more planes. It would just mean planes currently landing at Pearson would potentially go to Billy Bishop instead.
Maybe that’s a worthy benefit for GTA commuters, I am not sure. I think more than anything else, it would create more traffic in areas where we already have too much traffic.
I do think the Island is rather close to shore from a security standpoint.
I get it. I lived in the core for over 20 years – going out to Pearson always feels like a ripoff.
Still, not great for a government that needs to start building itself out of this econonic situation instead of talking about it.
For the people
What contracts? What buddies?
We are finally getting a downtown subway thanks to Ford yet people down here still love to complain.
Ben they didn’t ask me or my neighbours who use the airport several times a year. They listened to the squatters on the island who got illegal property rights under Bob Rae. They listened to the orgnized complainers done by Chris Glover who last I checked is not the head of the NDP, yet focuses only on Ford and does nothing for us in his riding.
Adriana no more jealous that you are of Toronto, a place you claimed not to care for yet hung around an article to made two comments, and you likely asked to be notified about replies to your comments
Good, backroom gravytrain Doug can’t funnel more contracts to his buddies. everything he does seems to revolve around that.
And yet Lard Ford will continue to bootlick Carney. There only real Conservative Premiers in Canada are Moe and Smith.
Glad the Carney government listened to the citizens of Toronto. Democracy in action.
Another project in Canada cancelled because a few hundred people complained. Nothing can get done in Canada.
@Anonymous. You jealous you don’t live in BC?
Adriana you cared enough to comment here. Maybe stay in your lane in bumblefudge BC.
Carney will still fly into Billy Bishop airport via private charter with the elites Total hypocrisy shown
Personally don’t care. I am from BC and would never travel to GTA. I went once and won’t ever go back. I wasnt impressed
The technology was sold. It made the company its fortune. You know little of the 99 year lease that trapped generations and sold us out.
@Highway Rob. The technology that
So the federal government shut down plans to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport?
Classic Liberal government, using the environment as an excuse as always!
Just wait—once the Conservative government takes office, that airport expansion will happen to bring convenience to so many people!
We will make Billy Bishop the LaGuardia Airport of Toronto! Let’s just wait for the downfall of the Liberal government.
Hey Paul. Aviation isn’t municipal. It is Federal, and much of the harbour is Provincial.
The city can’t even manage a lemonade stand, let alone plan for the successful operation of an airport.
Federal over reach. Always pushing towards unilateral control.
No kidding.
Now about that dumb underground tunnel Ford wants connecting two corn fields.
Maybe use that personal jet money he tried to screw us for on some water bombers too.
@Vinny. The 407 was LEASED, NOT SOLD. The province still owns the highway. The province owns the second extension and that is why Ford was able to drop the tolls for that portion of the highway. While the lease is still a bad option as well, at least we get it back around 2050 or so. Yikes!
Vinny… I agree, but a little deeper research and you would find he runs a private nursing company. So, grifting, just a little deeper. The board he sits on is a well known retirement residence provider (nursing homes as well). The Conservatives create a disaster so they can supply the solution when they get voted out and leave politics.
@Mike imagine if the 407 wasn’t gifted away for little on the dollar. We wouldn’t have traffic as bad as it is right now because the highway that was there was used properly. We wouldn’t have private nurses because he wants to sit on the board that controls it. Be delusional and turn a blind eye to long term damage Conservatives put us in.
Yet again Carney and the Liberals brings in policies that undermine economic growth. I thought there was an existential threat by Trump? Carney has not started one project in over 16 months.
@Paul, how exactly is Mike Harris the reason the city is in the state it is? He’s not been power in over 2 decades …Take a good look at governs our city right now, you don’t have to go much further than that.
Excellent! My comment isn’t so much about this particular project, it b is the provincial governments encroachment into things best left local. We can’t have another conservative Premier damage the region and city, permanently, as Mike Harris did. That government is a big reason Toronto has financial difficulties.
Absolutely brilliant. End of story.
In the UK London City Airport wanted more jet traffic . It was refused.
People not profit first.
No surprise
Pandering not policy is how the LPC remains in power
Next week Carney will announce the Federal Government’s drafting of an MOU for the expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport with a special “no fly zone” over the heads of those who opposed it.The Media will spin it into glory and the clapping seals will provide the applause.
Total flipflop by Carney to please the nimby squatters on the neighouring island who up are against an airport that has been there over 90 years.
Those of us who live downtown enjoy this convenience and see the value of having this airport here and we want this expansion. Pearson is in another country as far as I am concerned.