After 87,000 Responses, Ottawa Grounds Ford’s Billy Bishop Airport Expansion Plan

The federal government has halted, for now, Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s push to significantly expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport by extending its runway and allowing jet aircraft to operate from Toronto’s waterfront.

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Ottawa’s attention would remain “exclusively” focused on completing the runway safety improvements already approved and underway at the airport. His statement effectively blocks the proposed runway expansion and the introduction of larger jet aircraft at this stage.

The decision followed a federal public consultation held between June 8 and July 24, 2026, which received more than 87,000 responses. Transport Canada sought feedback on noise, environmental impacts, housing, transportation, urban planning and the airport’s potential economic benefits.

MacKinnon said the federal government would not pursue plans that could interfere with important public spaces such as Little Norway Park and Hanlan’s Point Beach, increase noise levels, cause significant environmental damage or make it harder for Toronto to build urgently needed housing.

Ford’s proposal included extending the runway approximately 600 metres west, in addition to the 150-metre runway-end safety areas already planned. The expansion was intended to accommodate larger jets and substantially increase the airport’s passenger capacity.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed Ottawa’s intervention and thanked residents who participated in the consultation and campaigned against the proposal. She also called on the Ontario government to return city-owned airport lands connected to the expansion effort.

Environmental and waterfront advocates said the federal decision would protect Toronto’s islands, beaches and public waterfront from increased traffic, pollution, noise and large-scale construction. Critics had also raised concerns about the absence of a detailed business plan and comprehensive health and environmental studies for the proposed expansion.

The decision, however, drew criticism from business organizations and supporters of airport growth. The Toronto Region Board of Trade described the move as disappointing, arguing that Billy Bishop’s operating framework should be modernized to allow responsible, gradual expansion while maintaining protections for surrounding communities and the waterfront.

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province remained committed to advancing the expansion. He argued that the project could contribute as much as C$8.5 billion annually to Canada’s economy, create thousands of jobs and improve regional and international connectivity. These figures represent the Ontario government’s assessment and have been disputed by opponents seeking a detailed business case.

Billy Bishop Airport is governed by a 1983 Tripartite Agreement involving the federal government, the City of Toronto and the Toronto Port Authority. The agreement currently prohibits runway and landmass extensions, imposes aircraft-noise restrictions and limits the types of aircraft permitted to operate at the airport.

Although Ottawa’s announcement stops the Ford government’s proposal from moving forward at present, the minister’s use of the phrase “at this stage” leaves open the possibility of future discussions about the airport’s long-term role, provided they address the concerns raised by Toronto residents.