What to know
- Pierre Poilievre voiced support for Doug Ford’s plan to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, calling it beneficial for the economy, environment, and convenience.
- Poilievre argued the expansion would improve access to downtown Toronto, reduce traffic congestion, and create competition for Toronto Pearson International Airport, which he criticized for poor performance.
- The proposal echoes a failed 2015 plan by Porter Airlines to extend the runway and introduce jets, which were both ultimately rejected by the federal government after significant controversy.
- Public reaction online is mixed, with critics raising concerns about increased congestion and accessibility, while supporters argue the expansion could improve travel options and is likely to move forward.
Conservative Party Leader and Leader of the Official Opposition Pierre Poilievre recently told reporters at an unrelated press conference that he supports Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision to expand Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport.
Poilievre addressed reporters during his conference outlining the Liberal Party’s debt, and backed Ford’s plan when asked about his view on the move.
“This is great for the economy, the environment and for convenience,” Poilievre said.
He added it would be convenient for businessmen and women to arrive at the heart of Toronto’s business area through the island airport, which is adjacent to the financial district near the harbourfront.
Poilieve also claimed the move would help lessen traffic, removing more cars from the highway and around Toronto Pearson International Airport.
“Pearson is a disaster,” Poilievre said. “Why is Pearson so bad? Because there’s no competition for many of its flights.”
Poilievre added that by extending Billy Bishop’s runway, Pearson would have to work harder to obtain air traffic in and out of their airport, as well as perform better as a whole.
“I want to see better air transportation at a lower cost, that leaves on-time, for a change, and that requires competition in our biggest city.”
Initial 2015 expansion motion
This isn’t the first time there’s been proposals to extend Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport’s runway or expand it as a whole.
Poilievre himself claimed he brought it up himself a few years back.
“I think it was three years ago, I called for the government to immediately issue a permit to expand the Billy Bishop Airport,” he told reporters at the same conference.
In April 2015, Porter Airlines raised a bill to extend the runway at Billy Bishop airport, as well as introduce private jets to the island.
The bill proved to be a controversial one, leading to a laundry list of concerns by the government and other affected parties. Ultimately, it was rejected by the federal government in late-2015.
Online reaction
There are many mixed reactions to Poilievre, Ford and the expansion all over social media, with some saying the move was a bad idea.
“The airport expansion project is just another corrupt handout from the Doug Ford Conservatives to some of his favorite wedding guests,” one Reddit user said.
One Facebook user said the idea that this expansion would help take cars off the road was not correct.
“Increasing traffic at Billy Bishop will create more gridlock in Toronto. It is accessed by a tunnel and a ferry, located at the end of a single dead end street,” they said. “What is going to be put in place to handle more traffic getting to the airport in an already over trafficked area of the city?”
Another Reddit user said the move was proven a poor one by those backing it.
“If PP endorsed it then probability is high that it’s bad. But I already know it’s bad because Ford wants it.”
Another Reddit user said Poilievre not having been born and raised in Toronto devoids him of an opinion.
“I don’t think some pathetic loser MP from a rural ALBERTA riding should have any sort of opinion on an airport in downtown Toronto,” they wrote.
Despite some negative backlash, some residents also agreed with Ford and Poilievre on how the expansion would improve travel conditions.
“How about boats? Billy Bishop is an island. I don’t doubt that expansion could help, but it’s not to take cars away, unless I’m mistaken, cars don’t drive on water,” said one Facebook user.
“He’s right…,” another Facebook user wrote.
A different user shared they believed the expansion would move forward.
“It’s going to happen,” the Facebook user said.
