Toronto Council Demands Return of Land for Rejected Billy Bishop Airport Expansion

Toronto City Council has formally requested the provincial government return land it appropriated for the planned expansion of Billy Bishop Airport. This demand comes after the federal government recently rejected the province's proposal for expanding the island airport.

Council passed an emergency motion with a 25-1 vote, calling for the repeal of the "Building Billy Bishop Airport Act." This provincial legislation, passed in May, removed Toronto from the airport's governing agreement and allowed the province to take control of land near the airport. The act identified eight specific parcels, encompassing much of the island and waterfront areas.

Mayor Olivia Chow highlighted significant public opposition to the expansion plans, emphasizing the community's desire to protect the waterfront. This sentiment was echoed by numerous residents and community leaders who voiced their concerns.

The federal government, through Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, stated its focus would be exclusively on existing safety upgrades at Billy Bishop, not on accommodating jets. This decision effectively stalled the province's expansion ambitions.

Despite the federal rejection, Ontario's Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria suggested the province would still pursue the expansion, criticizing the federal government's decision as succumbing to "fringe groups." The motion's passage also followed a notable debate between Mayor Chow and Councillor Brad Bradford regarding lobbying efforts related to the airport.