TORONTO — The federal government has rejected the Ontario government’s proposed expansion plans for Billy Bishop City Airport.
Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon posted a statement on X at just after 8 p.m. on Friday, saying the federal government’s focus for the Toronto airport for now lies exclusively on YTZ’s approved safety enhancements.
Minister MacKinnon said Ottawa “will always work collaboratively with our partners in studying the region’s connectivity needs and protecting the interests of local residents.
“However we will not pursue any plans that infringe on treasured public spaces like Little Norway Park or Hanlan’s Point Beach, result in elevated noise, have significant environmental impacts, or hinder Toronto’s ability to build much-needed housing,” he said.
Talk of expansion and jet aircraft at BBTCA is a hot potato that’s been tossed around for more than a decade, and most recently was touted by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Jets are coming to Billy Bishop “one way or another,” said Ford this past spring, when YTZ expansion talk reached a fever pitch. At that point Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ford’s push for jets at YTZ was “a very interesting vision.”