What to know
- The Ontario government introduced legislation to take control of Billy Bishop Airport from the City of Toronto by replacing it in a long-standing agreement with federal and port authorities.
- The move would give the province partial control over airport lands and the nearby Little Norway Park, as part of a bigger plan to expand the airport’s capacity and services.
- Premier Doug Ford says the expansion would increase flight options, reduce pressure on Toronto Pearson International Airport, and boost tourism.
- The plan is facing strong opposition from Mayor Olivia Chow, city council, and other politicians. The City of Toronto is looking into options for potential legal action.
Torontonians and politicians are pushing back against a legislation proposal by the Ontario Transportation Ministry that would make it so the provincial government could take control of Billy Bishop airport over the City of Toronto.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria brought the Building Billy Bishop Airport Act forward on Thursday. The bill specifically proposes that the Ontario government would take the City of Toronto’s place in a Tripartite Agreement over the airport’s property.
The original agreement was signed in June 1983, between the city, Transport Canada, and Ports Toronto.
Assuming the municipal government’s place would mean the province would have 20 per cent governance over the land, as well as one-third of Little Norway Park, which is adjacent to the airport terminal.
This motion comes as part of the provincial government’s plan to expand the airport and its capacity, and follows Premier Doug Ford’s recent purchase and return of a private jet.
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After taking over the city’s part of the agreement, the province hopes to buy ownership of the airport’s city-owned lands, and extend the runway, although no specific plans for this were provided.
“We’re unlocking Billy Bishop Airport’s full potential by expanding the airport so we can bring cheaper flight options, more routes and more convenience to the millions of people from across Ontario who use this airport every year,” Ford said in the media release.
He added this would take pressure off of Toronto Pearson International Airport, and enrich tourism in the city.
Push back from the city
Later on Thursday, Mayor Olivia Chow pushed an urgent motion at a City of Toronto council meeting, to push back against the initial provincial motion.
“Unilaterally taking city land is not acceptable,” Chow wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post on Thursday. “Who knows what they will take next.”
Chow also added that the city was not consulted beforehand about the province’s motion to take over the land.
The urgent motion called for the federal government to stop the premier’s “land grab”. Additionally, the city asked the province to change their plan so that all residents within 500 metres of the impacted land be moved at province’s expense, alongside an apology for disrupting the balance of their community.
The mayor’s motion was passed on Thursday.
As of now, the Ontario government’s proposed Building Billy Bishop Airport Act will proceed through the legislature, although the city is looking into directing the city’s solicitor to explore legal options and action against the provincial government to keep the measure from moving forward.
Toronto reaction
Many other councillors also spoke out against the idea.
Ontario’s New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Marit Stiles said Ford’s plan was “reckless.”
“This reckless airport expansion and land grab puts the future of the Toronto Islands at risk, and leaves downtown residents in harm’s way,” she wrote on X. “Who is asking for this? Certainly not the residents of Toronto’s waterfront and neighbourhoods along Lake Ontario.”
Kristyn Wong-Tam, the NDP Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Toronto Centre, was also against the motion, telling residents to act.
“The province is not a signatory to the tripartite agreement over the airport. It’s owned two thirds by the feds and one third by the city,” they said. “Call your Liberal MP and tell them to help us stop Ford from paving over the lake and green space!”
Councilor Josh Matlow said he also moved a motion that calls for a review of Ford trying to gain governance over Little Norway Park.
“This is an unprecedented attack by the province on our city’s autonomy,” Matlow wrote on X. “We cannot stand by and allow our parks to become busy roads or parking lots, all for Ford’s waterfront airport expansion.”
“He’s out for himself and wealthy, well-connected insiders – not the people of Ontario,” Mike Schreiner, leader of the Ontario Green Party, said.
Many Torontonians are reacting following the busy council day on Thursday, with posts throughout social media platforms speaking out against Ford.
“Just leave Toronto alone,” one Reddit user wrote.
“He’s hell bent on ruining Toronto with the hare-brained scheme at Billy Bishop,” an X user said.
Another expressed their anger toward Ford, mentioning the ongoing construction project along the city’s waterfront.
“If I lived near Billy Bishop I’d want to move,” the X user wrote. “Also, does this mean 10,000 units can’t be built in the Portlands? I despise Doug Ford.”
One X user said they wanted justice to be served.
“Why isn’t anyone in prison?” they asked. “If I stole from my workplace, I’d be in prison, why isn’t he?”
“What the f**k is wrong with this man, stealing city land acting like a dictator,” another X user said. “We don’t want this airport! STOP HIM!”
