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Rally and celebration held after Ford government’s Billy Bishop airport plans grounded
Organizers say the waterfront event marks a win after Ottawa blocked the airport expansion, with a march, boats and a 10:30 a.m. celebration planned.
- On Friday, federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the government will not expand Billy Bishop Airport, rejecting Premier Doug Ford's proposal to accommodate jets. The decision followed public consultations where nearly 87 per cent of respondents opposed the changes.
- MacKinnon emphasized the government is "exclusively" focusing on approved safety upgrades, noting rejected plans could infringe on "treasured public spaces" like Little Norway Park. Ford's proposal had included extending the runway 600 metres.
- What was planned as a rally became a celebration on Sunday, as activists marked a "hard-fought win" against the expansion. NoJetsTO chair Norm Di Pasquale said "people are so concerned about this issue" that they gathered to celebrate.
- Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow thanked the federal government for listening, urging the Province to return city-owned land taken during expropriation. Prior to the takeover, the City owned 20 per cent of airport land.
- Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated the province remains committed to advancing the expansion, framing the federal rejection as temporary. While the government frames the decision as "at this stage," approved safety-related runway extensions will proceed until mid-2027.
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28 Articles
28 Articles
The NOTL Local+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Toronto island airport expansion killed by 'fringe group,' Ontario minister says
TORONTO — Ottawa gave in to the demands of a "fringe group" when it rejected a pitch to expand Toronto's island airport, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Tuesday.
Winnipeg Free Press+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Toronto island airport expansion killed by 'fringe group': Ontario minister
TORONTO - Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria vows to forge ahead on expanding Toronto's island airport despite the federal government's rejection of the plan.
·Winnipeg, Canada
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‘Disappointed’ Doug Ford spoke privately with Mark Carney after decision blocking Billy Bishop expansion
Carney cancelled the island airport scheme before it could cause his Liberals any political turbulence, including potentially in the Aug. 31 Beaches—East York byelection that the prime minister called Sunday.
·Hamilton, Canada
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Ottawa rejected the expansion of Billy Bishop Airport, to the great relief of the opponents, but Ontario did not give up.
·Montreal, Canada
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Total News Sources28
Leaning Left18Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution82% Left
Bias Distribution
- 82% of the sources lean Left
82% Left
L 82%
C 18%
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