Toronto, July 29: The Ontario government says it has no plans to return airport-related lands to the City of Toronto or repeal legislation authorizing their expropriation, despite the federal government’s recent decision to reject the proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Tuesday that the province remains committed to modernizing the airport and supporting future development, even after Ottawa declined to approve the expansion proposal.
“We have no intention to repeal,” Sarkaria told reporters during a news conference in London, Ontario. “We fully support the modernization of this plan that is going to be put forward by the Toronto Port Authority.”
Federal Government Rejected Expansion
The dispute follows last week’s announcement by Federal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon, who confirmed that Ottawa would not approve the proposed airport expansion after an extensive public consultation process.
Federal officials said strong public opposition was a major factor in the decision, with thousands of residents expressing concerns about expanding airport operations on Toronto’s waterfront.
The proposal would have allowed the introduction of jet aircraft at Billy Bishop Airport, a plan supported by the Ontario government but opposed by many community organizations, local residents and environmental groups.
Province Criticizes Ottawa’s Decision
Sarkaria argued that the federal government’s decision could discourage future infrastructure development across Canada.
“If this is how they’re going to treat bigger projects, I don’t think you’ll get much built,” he said.
The minister also questioned the weight given to public opposition during the consultation process, suggesting that the views of opponents did not fully represent broader provincial interests.
According to Sarkaria, Ontario consulted with municipalities, hospital leaders and northern communities that viewed an expanded airport as an opportunity to improve transportation links and regional connectivity.
He said communities in northern and eastern Ontario believed the project could provide greater access to Toronto and strengthen economic development.
City Seeks Return of Expropriated Land
The issue comes as Toronto City Council prepares to consider a motion introduced by Mayor Olivia Chow calling on the province to repeal Bill 110, the Building Billy Bishop Act, and return expropriated municipal lands to the city.
The legislation granted Ontario authority to acquire several parcels of city-owned property associated with airport operations and removed them from the long-standing tripartite agreement governing the airport.
The lands affected include:
- Little Norway Park;
- Sections surrounding the airport ferry terminal;
- Portions of Bathurst Street south of the Gardiner Expressway;
- Éireann Quay; and
- Areas near the Toronto Islands.
When the legislation was introduced, the province indicated it would work with the city to determine precisely which lands would ultimately be required.
Mayor Calls for Clarity
Mayor Chow said she intends to meet with Minister Sarkaria to discuss the future of the expropriated properties.
She noted that Toronto requires certainty because the city is preparing shoreline protection work at Hanlan’s Point Beach, located immediately west of the airport, to address ongoing erosion concerns.
Without clarity regarding land ownership and future development plans, city officials say long-term infrastructure planning could become more difficult.
Future of the Airport Remains Uncertain
Although Ottawa has rejected the current expansion proposal, Ontario continues to support modernization of Billy Bishop Airport through the Toronto Port Authority, leaving open the possibility of future redevelopment initiatives that do not require federal approval under the rejected proposal.
The disagreement highlights continuing tensions between municipal, provincial and federal governments over transportation planning, waterfront development and infrastructure priorities.
With Toronto City Council expected to debate the issue in the coming days, discussions over the ownership and future use of the airport lands are likely to continue even as the proposed jet expansion remains off the table.