Federal Government Rejects Ontario’s Plan to Expand Billy Bishop Airport
The federal government has announced it will not proceed with Ontario’s proposal to expand the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on the waterfront, following strong opposition from local residents.
Transport Minister Cites Public Opposition
In a social‑media post on Friday evening, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the government would not implement the plan announced by Premier Doug Ford in March, after more than 87,000 residents responded, most of them against the expansion.
Security Upgrades Remain the Priority
MacKinnon emphasized that the current focus is on the security improvements already underway, which are essential for safe airport operations and are expected to be finished by mid‑2027.
Federal Commitment to a Larger Hub Remains
Although the expansion plan is on hold, Ottawa has not abandoned the idea of turning Billy Bishop into a larger transportation hub capable of handling larger jets, and says it will continue to work with partners to assess regional connectivity needs while protecting residents’ interests.
Ontario Continues to Pursue Airport Expansion
Provincial Benefits Claimed
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province is still working on the expansion, arguing that it could add up to $8.5 billion annually to the Canadian economy, create thousands of jobs and improve connectivity for millions of travelers and businesses across Ontario, North America and beyond.
Land Acquisition and Future Vision
The March 23 announcement outlined a plan to assume control of city‑owned land through a tripartite agreement among the province, the City of Toronto and the federal government, aiming to meet future travel demand and ease pressure on Toronto Pearson Airport.
Customs Facility Investment
Earlier, the federal government contributed $30 million to open a state‑of‑the‑art customs pre‑clearance facility at Billy Bishop, enhancing the airport’s role as a gateway for visitors and cargo.
