Billy Bishop expansion plan could hit $5B price tag

The proposed expansion of Billy Bishop airport could balloon to $5 billion over 25 years, but don't expect your tax dollars to cover it. The Toronto Port Authority, which operates the island facility, told Queen's Park legislators this week that airport users—through gate fees and concession revenue—will foot the entire bill.

Port Authority CEO RJ Steenstra painted an expansive vision: runway enhancements first, followed by terminal upgrades rolled out in phases. The problem is, the current aircraft restrictions date back to World War Two. Only the Q400 qualifies as a modern aircraft on the approved list, and that's 40-year-old technology. The expansion would change that math.

But the push has become deeply political. Ontario Premier Doug Ford's plan to make Billy Bishop a "special economic zone"—allowing the province to override certain laws and seize control from Toronto—has sparked fierce opposition. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called it a "land grab." Former Conservative cabinet minister and ex-Toronto mayor David Crombie warned the committee bluntly: "I'm asking you, with whatever strength you command, please withdraw this bill. It'll wreck the waterfront." The province says the expansion will boost tourism and create construction jobs amid economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs, but the final business case won't be ready for another six months to a year—and community input is still nowhere in sight.