Federal government rejects Doug Ford's Billy Bishop expansion plan

The federal government has rejected Ontario's plan to expand Billy Bishop Airport to allow commercial jets, protecting Toronto's waterfront from what advocates called inevitable damage.

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon confirmed Friday that Ottawa will focus "exclusively" on approved safety upgrades at the airport rather than any expansion project. The decision ends months of pushback from Toronto residents, politicians, and environmental groups.

The Ford government had proposed significantly expanding the runway to accommodate larger aircraft, which would have generated an estimated 10 million passengers annually and $8.5 billion in annual economic benefits, according to the province's projections.

But opponents argued the project would degrade Toronto Harbour's water quality, increase noise and traffic, and destroy rehabilitated waterfront space. Tim Gray, executive director of Environmental Defence, said the expansion would involve "massive destruction" of the Toronto Islands after billions invested in waterfront recovery over recent decades.

Mayor Olivia Chow thanked both the Prime Minister and Transport Minister for listening to Torontonians. "Now that this expansion is not moving forward," she said, "we are calling on the Province to return the City's land."

City councillor Josh Matlow called the federal decision democracy in action. "Together, we saved our city's waterfront and grounded Doug Ford's reckless plans," he said. The federal statement noted the government will not pursue any plans infringing on treasured public spaces such as Little Norway Park or Hanlan's Point Beach.