The Ontario government plans to assume control of the City of Toronto’s stake in Billy Bishop airport in a bid to pave the way for larger aircraft on Toronto Island, Premier Doug Ford says.
Ford said he discussed his plans for an extended runway and larger aircraft with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow when she visited his home “in the last week or so.”
Ford described the airport as “a crown jewel” located in Toronto’s downtown that could be a major “economic driver” that he said could create “thousands of jobs” if jets were permitted to land there.
The premier said the city will be compensated for the value of the land as well as for any lost revenue, which amounts to approximately $5 million per year.
Ford also confirmed during the press conference that the province has the authority to expropriate the city’s portion of the airport property should municipal officials attempt to impede the province’s plan. This action would effectively eliminate the city from the existing three-party agreement that regulates the airport and restricts the use of jets.
Jets and Noise Concerns
Ford first mentioned his plans for the downtown airport during a keynote address last month at the Toronto Region Board of Trade annual dinner, telling the crowd he wants to bring jets to the airport and extend its runway.The premier was asked during his press conference about the possibility of 747 aircraft landing at Billy Bishop in the future. Ford said he thought that was unlikely, both due to their size and current federal regulations about runway requirements for large aircraft. He said it was unlikely the island airport’s runway could be extended the 10,000 to 12,000 feet needed for the planes to take off.
The changes at the airport will not be happening immediately, Ford added. The province must first consult with the Toronto Port Authority, the city, and the federal ministry of transportation.
MacKinnon was asked during the press conference if he supported Ford’s plan, but the transport minister did not confirm if Ottawa is in favour of expanding the runways to allow jets.
Toronto Port Authority, which is a federal agency, has said it is interested in Ford’s plans for Billy Bishop. Spokesperson Deborah Wilson said in an emailed statement that the port is willing to work with any partner that is focused on “unlocking the economic potential” of the airport.
“Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an economic engine for the region and a connector to Canada’s financial centre, healthcare hub and the nation’s largest job market,” Wilson wrote. “We welcome the comments made by the Premier today and his acknowledgement of the importance of future-proofing this asset.”
Chow told reporters during her press conference that she agrees with Ford’s proposal to lengthen the runway at Billy Bishop but said she is opposed to his idea of bringing jets downtown because they are too loud.
Ford was asked about the noise concern during his March 10 press briefing. He said the province will take whatever measures it can to minimize noise and proposed the idea of quieter “whisper jets.”
He also downplayed arguments that jets would be too noisy, noting that the smaller twin-prop planes currently departing from Billy Bishop are already quite loud.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a massive difference,” he said.
“Torontonians deserve to have their say on airport plans that would affect the waterfront and the city at large,” NoJetsTO Chair Norm Di Pasquale said in the statement. “Ford’s thoughtless decision to steal city land at the airport shuts Torontonians out of a debate that could have disastrous effects for our revitalized waterfront.”
