What to know
- Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed that the federal government’s investment in Billy Bishop Airport will focus on safety improvements, guided by considerations such as noise, environmental protection and preserving the waterfront.
- When asked whether the proposed airport expansion was permanently off the table, Carney declined to give a definitive answer, saying “forever is a long time” and suggesting future transportation needs could evolve.
- Waterfront advocates and residents say the comments have created confusion, arguing it is unclear whether the federal government has truly rejected Ontario’s proposal to allow larger jets at the airport.
- Advocates are calling for the release of the federal feasibility study on Billy Bishop’s future and are urging the government to hold broader public consultations before making any changes to the airport or its governing agreement.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford has previously argued expanding Billy Bishop would ease pressure on Pearson Airport and create jobs, while critics say the proposal could harm the waterfront, increase noise and undermine public spaces.
Toronto’s debate over Billy Bishop Airport isn’t over yet. Although the federal government says it won’t fund an expansion for larger jets, Prime Minister Mark Carney stopped short of ruling the project out for good, leaving waterfront advocates and residents searching for answers.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Carney reiterated that the federal government’s investment on the Billy Bishop Airport will focus on safety improvements for the moment.
“We consulted the people of Toronto. It was very clear the result of that consultation and we took the view, as we stand by, that our investment in Billy Bishop will be for safety reasons and inside a very clear criteria around noise, around protection of nature, around pristine heritage spots,” he told reporters.
The prime minister’s comments come after Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the federal government wouldn’t support an Ontario government’s proposed plan to expand the island airport to support larger jets.
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Carney leaves the door open
However, when asked whether the government’s decision to stop the project was permanent on Wednesday, Carney hesitated.
“What we need…is a comprehensive approach that addresses all forms of transport. The scale of what could be required over the course of the next quarter century includes Pearson, includes regional airports, includes Alto high-speed rail, that includes the GO network,” Carney said.
“Forever is a long time. There is clear criteria on noise, clear criteria on protecting the environment and pristine spots, clear criteria on housing, and…it’s a small part of a much bigger puzzle.”
Advocates say uncertainty remains
Ken Greenberg, former director of urban design and architecture for the City of Toronto, told Now Toronto that the prime minister’s comments on Wednesday left residents confused about the future of Billy Bishop.
For both Greenberg and former Waterfront Toronto Chair Helen Burstyn, despite leaving residents confused, the uncertainty also comes with a series of consequences to other areas of the city’s administration, including housing, tourism, and economic development.
“A week ago, people in Toronto were elated to hear that the airport expansion plans for jets had been cancelled. At least that was the strong impression we got. And ever since, there have been hints which have become stronger and stronger that that’s not the case,” Greenberg said.
“We’re very unclear about what message the prime minister wants us to take from this. Is it cancelled? Is it not cancelled?”
Toronto resident Angus Wu echoed this confusion, saying he is still unclear on what other projects the government has in mind for the area.
“As a resident in Toronto, I don’t know what the federal government’s vision of the waterfront is, and I feel like Toronto has been completely left out,” he said. “The uncertainty is definitely disappointing from the federal government.”
Calls for answers and public consultation
Additionally, they said the federal government is also still to release more information about a feasibility study on the project, which was reported to be in the works ahead of fall.
“We’ve never seen [the study] up until now, and we would love to know who’s doing it. What are the terms of reference? Is it only a technical study about airport operation, or is it a study that will look at all the impacts for the Toronto waterfront?” Greenberg said.
Although the federal government has consulted the public through a survey on the future of the island airport, Burstyn said she is also expecting to see a more thorough consultation process involving Toronto residents.
“There shouldn’t be any changes to the airport or its governing tripartite agreement until Torontonians have been fully consulted to open public hearings. Those have yet to happen fully, and those are based on detailed and evidence-based analysis,” she said.
The former city councillor said the lack of proper consultation in this case seems to be repeating a pattern in which residents’ views are not taken into account when it comes to projects involving the waterfront.
“This is part of a pattern of behaviour along the waterfront that doesn’t involve consulting people and uses that people will be able to enjoy, and that actually makes sense from an economic standpoint,” she said, citing the Ontario Place redevelopment and closure of the Ontario Science Centre.
Residents, advocates expect clarification
On top of further consultation and details on the feasibility plan, residents and advocates are now expecting to see a more concrete plan or clarification from the government regarding the future of the Billy Bishop Airport.
“I would say we have to go back a week, on Friday, and clarify what the federal government means. What is it really saying? It seems to be saying two contradictory things, and if we go back to uncertainty, and this is an on again, off again situation, and nobody knows where they stand,” Greenberg said.
“A delayed decision is better than a bad decision, but we still need a decision and a more timely one too, because the cost of delay…is incalculable and it’s very costly,” Burstyn added.
Ford’s expansion plan remains divisive
Earlier this year, Ford announced plans to expand Billy Bishop airport, saying he had seen surveys suggesting support for the project that would bring larger plans to the island.
According to him, the project had the potential to alleviate demand from the Toronto Pearson Airport and create new jobs.
However, local residents, opposition politicians, and residents heavily criticized and rejected the expansion, raising concerns about disruptions to local public spaces and environmental impacts.
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