In a move to unlock the “full potential” Of Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, the Ontario government said yesterday that it is supporting the long-term modernization and expansion of the airport by moving to take over the City of Toronto’s place in the tripartite agreement that governs the airport, as well as take ownership of the city-owned lands in the airport in exchange for fair compensation.
In its announcement, it said that by expanding capacity at Billy Bishop Airport, the province that will
- Help meet future demand in southern Ontario
- Reduce pressure at Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Increase competition in the air travel sector to support more routes and cheaper flights
- And support the creation of good-paying jobs in Ontario’s aviation, tourism and construction sectors.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said: “We’re unlocking Billy Bishop Airport’s full potential by expanding the airport so we can bring cheaper flight options, more routes and more convenience to the millions of people from across Ontario who use this airport every year.”
The Premier said that: “With an upgraded airport on the waterfront, Toronto and Ontario will be able to compete with world-class cities across the globe, supporting tourism and business travel across Ontario and creating thousands of new jobs for Ontario workers.”
Moving forward, the province intends to introduce legislation in the Ontario Legislature’s upcoming spring session that would, if passed, take ownership of the city-owned land at the airport and facilitate the city’s replacement by the province in the tripartite agreement.
Ahead of the start of construction on the airport’s expansion, and following consultation with impacted First Nations, the province also intends to declare Billy Bishop Airport a Special Economic Zone.
By doing that, it would speed up the expansion of the airport by streamlining approvals, while maintaining robust safety and environmental protections. The province has engaged with more than 130 First Nations regarding the development of a regulatory framework for Special Economic Zones and will continue to fully meet its duty to consult with Indigenous communities moving forward.
Ontario Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria said that: “With Ontario’s population expected to grow to more than 20.5 million by 2051, including significant growth across the Greater Toronto Area, it’s critical that we build the infrastructure needed to support that growth and keep people and goods moving.” And Minister Sarkaria added: “Billy Bishop Airport is an important and underused part of Ontario’s transportation network, and additional capacity will help meet future demand, strengthen connectivity and support jobs across Ontario.”
Billy Bishop Airport serves approximately two million passengers each year and connects Toronto to more than 20 cities across Canada and the United States. It is also a major economic driver for the province, contributing $900 million in GDP and $1.8 billion in economic output each year, while supporting 9,000 jobs in 2024.
The Toronto Port Authority has proposed a modernization plan for Billy Bishop Airport that includes updates to the tripartite agreement to allow for modern jet aircraft, changes to the runway to accommodate modern aircraft, enhancements to the terminal building and improved access to Toronto’s waterfront.
RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, Toronto Port Authority, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, said: “Our vision for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is rooted in modern aviation technology, operational excellence and a commitment to ensuring that progress brings tangible benefits to the communities we serve.”
Steenstra continued: “For us this means expanding connectivity; responding to population growth and rising aviation demand; protecting access to northern and remote communities; strengthening tourism and trade; and embracing modern aircraft types that are cleaner, quieter and more efficient. We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the province of Ontario to secure the future of the airport, which is a valuable asset for Toronto and the region.”
Once fully expanded, the Toronto Port Authority estimates the airport’s activities will contribute up to $8.5 billion to Canada’s economy every year by 2050 and support up to 23,000 jobs in Ontario’s construction sector alone.
Ontario’s Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy pointed out: “Billy Bishop Airport is a vital transportation hub not just for Toronto but for Ontario and all of Canada.”
And the Finance Minister continued that the March 23 announcement “is another step towards our government making Ontario the most competitive jurisdiction in the entire G7 by attracting investment, encouraging economic growth and supporting job creation in the province.”
Billy Bishop Airport is the province’s third-busiest airport and an important hub for regional travel and essential services such as Ornge, which provides more than 4,700 province-wide air ambulance and medical transport flights from the airport annually.
Expanding and modernizing the airport would also deliver significant benefits, generating up to $140 billion in economic output over 25 years by creating good-paying jobs, attracting investment, enhancing regional and international connectivity and supporting Ontario’s tourism sector.
Jennifer Quinn, CEO, Nieuport Aviation, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport terminal partner, observed that: “Today marks a pivotal moment in a new era for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and for the people who rely on it. The province of Ontario’s actions enable the modernization of the airport to deliver greater choice, convenience and connectivity; strengthen regional and national resilience; and deliver real value for people and businesses across Ontario and Canada.”
