Hundreds of Torontonians celebrate after feds reject Billy Bishop jet expansion
Toronto residents celebrated after the federal government rejected plans to expand Billy Bishop Airport to accommodate jet aircraft. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon cited strong public opposition as the primary reason for the decision, though he left the possibility of future changes open.
Why it matters
The decision highlights the influence of community advocacy and environmental concerns on urban infrastructure and transportation policy.
A previously planned rally to save Toronto's waterfront became a celebration of the power of community, a news release by advocacy groups NoJetsTO and Environmental Defence said. The rally, march and flotilla event Sunday kicked off at Harbour Square Park, then marched along Queens Quay and landed at HTO Park.
NoJetsTO chair Norm Di Pasquale told CBC Toronto it's a thrilling, pleasing day.
"I just went down to the waterfront and random people are giving us high fives because people know what this fight was about," he said. "It's about saving our beautiful revitalized waterfront."
On Friday, federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the government is "exclusively" focusing on approved safety upgrades already underway at Billy Bishop Airport, rather than on building it out to allow jets to land.
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