What to know
- Ottawa rejected Doug Ford’s plan to expand Billy Bishop Airport, preventing jets from taking off and landing there.
- Toronto city officials and residents strongly opposed the expansion, citing environmental and quality-of-life concerns.
- The federal government emphasized protecting public spaces such as Little Norway Park and Hanlan’s Point Beach.
- Mayor Olivia Chow and other local politicians praised the decision, while some councillors remain critical.
After months of Doug Ford’s campaign to expand Billy Bishop Airport, the federal government rejected his proposal.
On Friday evening, Ottawa rejected Ontario’s Prime Minister’s proposal to expand Toronto City’s Billy Bishop airport, which, if approved, would have allowed jets to take off and land there.
The majority of Torontonians and politicians were pushing back against his proposal, and popular political figures are sharing their thoughts online.
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The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport, shared a statement on X.
My statement on Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. pic.twitter.com/4K1J4eropy
— Steven MacKinnon (@stevenmackinnon) July 25, 2026
“At this stage, I can confirm that our focus lies exclusively on the approved safety enhancements, which are currently taking place, and are required to maintain safe operations at the airport,” the statement reads in part.
“Through this public consultation, we have listened to feedback on a range of issues, including transportation, economics, environmental protection, noise, housing, and quality of life.”
The message continues by stating that the government will not pursue any plans that infringe on “treasured public spaces” such as Little Norway Park or Hanlan’s Point Beach, by means of elevated noise, significant environmental impacts or hinder Toronto’s ability to build “much-needed” housing.
In its response, Mayor Olivia Chow thanked both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Transportation for listening to Torontonians.
I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Minister of Transportation for listening to the people of Toronto.
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) July 25, 2026
Thank you to everyone who spoke out, shared your voice, and stood up for our community. Your relentless advocacy has made a difference.
Now that this expansion is not…
“Thank you to everyone who spoke out, shared your voice, and stood up for our community. Your relentless advocacy has made a difference,” the statement reads in part.
“Now that this expansion is not moving forward, we are calling on the Province to return the City’s land,” Chow calls for change.
Ward 12 Councillor Josh Matlow also issued a statement on Instagram, thanking the Prime Minister, the Minister of Transport, and Toronto’s Liberal MPs for listening to Torontonians.
“Together, we saved our city’s waterfront and grounded Doug Ford’s reckless plans to bring jets to Billy Bishop Airport,” the statement reads in part.
“To the tens of thousands of people who took a stand and made your voices heard, this has truly been democracy in action. And we won,” he added.
But not all councillors are happy. Ward 19 Councillor and Toronto Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford commented on his disappointment with the decision.
I’ve been clear that Torontonians need to have a say on major decisions that affect our waterfront. That’s why I voted in favour of a referendum on the proposed island airport expansion.
— Brad Bradford (@BradMBradford) July 25, 2026
While Toronto’s seat at the table should never have been taken away, I am grateful the…
“I’ve been clear that Torontonians need to have a say on major decisions that affect our waterfront. That’s why I voted in favour of a referendum on the proposed island airport expansion,” the statement reads in part.
“While Toronto’s seat at the table should never have been taken away, I am grateful the federal government has listened to residents,” he added.
