The Ontario government has introduced Bill 110, legislation that removes the City of Toronto from the governing agreement for Billy Bishop Airport and replace it with the Province of Ontario. The bill would also allow the province to take control of certain city-owned airport lands and infrastructure around the waterfront. Currently, Billy Bishop is governed through an agreement between the City of Toronto, the Federal government, and PortsToronto (the agency that operates the airport). PortsToronto appears supportive of the province’s direction.
Supporters of the proposal (the usuals: provincial government, business groups, and airport stakeholders) argue that expanding Billy Bishop could boost tourism, business travel, jobs, and economic activity. However, the people most directly affected would be residents living and working near the waterfront, Toronto Islands, Bathurst Quay, Fort York, CityPlace, and nearby downtown neighbourhoods. Critics are concerned the changes will lead to more flights, larger aircraft, increased traffic congestion, noise pollution, air pollution, and pressure for further waterfront development. Many residents also worry about the long-term impact on public space, parkland, and the character of Toronto’s waterfront communities. The main groups expected to benefit from the expansion of Billy Bishop Airport are the provincial government, airport operators, airlines, and businesses tied to tourism and corporate travel. So seemingly little to no benefit to the communities affected by this change in yet another bill that prioritizes development over the people.. And we are probably going to be paying for it.
It has more recently come forward that JP Morgan hired lobbyists to lobby our provincial Conservative government for this expansion. Apparently, they may have actually broken the laws that govern lobbyists.
OTHER WAYS TO ACT!
1. Fill out Transport Canadas Public Consultation Form and tell them why you oppose this expansion. This one is very important!
2. No Jets TO has a campaign to SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR MP
3. Sign the Toronto City Council candidates petition
4. Email your city counsellor! You can copy and paste one of the emails from here to make it easier.
OTHER GROUPS FIGHTING AGAINST THIS:
Environmental Defence (NoJetsTO)](https://environmentaldefence.ca/) Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association
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So here we have…
• public money being used to expand a waterfront airport that many local residents oppose
• costs related to land acquisition, runway work, transportation upgrades, and surrounding infrastructure
• and uncertainty about how much private companies versus taxpayers would actually pay.
One important point: the province has not yet released a complete public breakdown of:
• total project costs
• who pays what
• how much private investment is guaranteed
• and how much taxpayer money may ultimately be committed.
That lack of transparency is becoming a major criticism of the proposal itself.
However, this issue matters beyond just the airport itself because it reflects a larger pattern in Ontario politics: the provincial government centralizing more power and reducing the ability of municipalities and local residents to influence major decisions affecting their communities. Critics argue Bill 110 weakens local democratic oversight by removing Toronto from airport governance and limiting the city’s ability to oppose or negotiate future expansion plans. Concerns have also been raised about the speed of the process, the lack of broad public consultation, and the province’s increasing willingness to override municipal authority on major land-use and infrastructure decisions.