Ford’s Billy Bishop Airport expansion cancelled by Carney government
The Canadian federal government has cancelled plans to expand Billy Bishop Airport following public opposition regarding noise and environmental concerns. While the major expansion is halted, a minor runway extension required for safety regulations will proceed as planned.
Why it matters
This decision reflects a significant shift in urban planning priorities, balancing infrastructure development against environmental and residential concerns in a major metropolitan area.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article originally appeared on The Trillium , a Village Media website devoted exclusively to covering provincial politics at Queen's Park.
Premier Doug Ford's long-held dream of bringing jets to Billy Bishop Airport will have to wait after Prime Minister Mark Carney's government cancelled plans to expand the airport.
On Friday night, federal Transportation Minister Steve MacKinnon said the government's two-month-long public consultation found residents were overwhelmingly opposed to the expansion plans.
"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," MacKinnon wrote in a statement .
The consultations, which wrapped up on Friday, garnered more than 87,000 responses, MacKinnon said.
Mayor Olivia Chow quickly thanked the federal government for "listening to the people of Toronto."
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