Federal government launches public consultations on Billy Bishop airport

The runway at Billy Bishop Airport is pictured from the terminal building in downtown Toronto. (Joshua Freeman /CP24)

The federal government says it is launching consultations on the future of Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport as the Ford government moves to expand the airport into a busier facility that could accommodate higher passenger volumes, as well as jets.

“As part of this engagement, Transport Canada is committed to working with provincial and municipal governments, Indigenous Peoples, NAV Canada, and the Toronto Port Authority,” the federal government said in a news release Monday afternoon.

“The feedback received will be critical to informing future plans and supporting safe, efficient and sustainable airport operations for the benefit of all community members.”

Close to 80 per cent of the airport lands are owned by the Toronto Port Authority, a federal crown corporation. The City of Toronto owns around 20 per cent of the land, while Transport Canada owns 1.5 per cent.

But Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently announced plans to expand the airport to accommodate jets, saying the island airport should be a more robust alternative to Pearson International Airport, akin to busy second airports in other major cities.

His government recently passed legislation allowing it to take control of Toronto’s portion of the airport lands and to replace the city in a tripartite agreement that has governed the airport for decades.

The airport expansion plans have faced intense criticism from some local groups and opposition parties, who argue that it will destroy parkland and create excessive noise and pollution on the city’s waterfront. A recent report by city staff also said thousands of homes could potentially be impacted.

Ford has indicated that the federal government is on board with the plans, which he has characterized as being part of efforts to bolster Ontario’s economy in the face of the U.S. trade war. However Prime Minister Mark Carney recently clarified that he has not yet made up his mind on the issue.

The federal Liberals hold many seats in downtown Toronto, putting local MPs in a potentially awkward situation should the federal government choose to support the airport expansion plans. So far, Liberal MPs have said the project should require local input, but have stopped short of ruling it out.

The consultations are set to run from June 8 through July 24. The government says people will be able to provide their input through an online survey as well as “engagement sessions” and direct engagement with Indigenous peoples.

“Transport Canada will also solicit the input and advice of expert organizations like Waterfront Toronto and others, to help inform next step,” the federal government said.

Information on how to participate in the consultations can be found on the government’s website.