- The federal government has halted the Billy Bishop Airport expansion, prompting reactions from the Toronto city council.
- Mayor Olivia Chow stated, “Now that this expansion is not moving forward, we are calling on the Province to return the City’s land.”
- Councillor Josh Matlow expressed he was not surprised, stating, “the facts have always been on our side.”
- MP Karim Bardeesy quoted Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, who vowed, “We will never pursue any plans that threaten the things we value about the waterfront.”
- Councillor Paula Fletcher urged the federal government to confront the Ford government for removing Toronto from the tripartite agreement, stating, “has to pick the fight with the Ford government for having removed Toronto from this long-standing tripartite agreement.”
- Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria interpreted the federal halt as a delay, not a cancellation.
The Canadian federal government has officially halted the expansion of Billy Bishop Airport, a decision that has garnered significant support from Toronto city council members and the public.12
Coun. Paula Fletcher expressed her approval, stating, “About time they did that.” The decision follows a public survey that saw 87,000 participants, with an overwhelming majority opposing any changes to the island airport, according to MacKinnon’s statement.6
The halt has been described as a “monumental victory” for those advocating for the preservation of the waterfront. Local leaders are now urging the Province to return the City’s land, emphasizing that “the facts have always been on our side.” They have committed to ensuring that no future plans threaten the values associated with the waterfront.4
However, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria interpreted the federal decision as a delay rather than a cancellation, indicating ongoing tensions between the provincial and federal governments regarding the airport's future. The airport had previously been governed by a tripartite agreement involving the city, the Toronto Port Authority, and the federal government, but recent legislative changes by Premier Ford have altered this dynamic.7
As the city council weighs its next steps, the community remains vigilant in protecting the integrity of the waterfront and the interests of its residents.
“Coun. Ausma Malik called the news a 'monumental victory', while Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria interpreted the halt as a delay. Mayor Olivia Chow demanded the province return the city's land, and Coun. Josh Matlow said the facts were always on their side.”
