Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government stands by its decision to halt plans to expand Billy Bishop Airport’s runways, but stopped short of calling the decision permanent while announcing a rental housing project at a press conference in Scarborough alongside Mayor Olivia Chow.
Earlier this year Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced his desire to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
But last month, federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon rejected Ford’s island airport expansion plan and said that the government will be “exclusively” focused “on the approved safety enhancements already underway at Billy Bishop.”
“We consulted the people of Toronto. It was a very clear result of that consultation, and we took the view, as we stand by, that our investment in Billy Bishop will be for safety reasons,” Carney said Wednesday.
In June, Transport Canada launched a public survey on the expansion plan, which garnered 87,000 responses from residents.
When pressed on if the decision is final, Carney said that “forever is a long time” and noted that certain criteria first needs to be met.
“There is clear criteria on noise, clear criteria on protecting the environment in pristine spots, clear criteria on housing,” he said.
Those who criticized the provincial government’s plan cited concerns including noise and emissions pollution, the loss of surrounding public spaces such as Hanlan’s Beach, and increased congestion.
“What we had was an idea that was proposed, and then we did what government should do, which is to consult,” Carney said.
Potential expansion is a ‘small part of a much bigger puzzle’
Carney said that a potential expansion is centred around the “challenge of transportation,” specifically for those travelling in and out of Toronto.
“What we need and what we’re developing is a comprehensive approach that addresses all forms of transport,” he said.
“Let’s make it clear, it’s a small part of a much bigger puzzle, and we need to focus on those other puzzle pieces in the context of serving the people of the GTA, people of Ontario, people of Canada, and the people who want to come to Canada.”
