Chow demands Toronto island land back after feds block airport expansion

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is demanding the return of city-owned land on the Toronto Islands, which the Ontario government recently expropriated through new legislation. This move was part of Premier Doug Ford's initiative to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, enabling jet landings and takeoffs.

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Return our waterfront to us.

Chow's demand came after federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon rejected Ford's airport expansion plan last week, following public consultation. "Return our waterfront to us," Chow stated on social media Monday. She and Councillor Ausma Malik have filed an urgent motion with city council, seeking the return of land in and around the islands. The motion is considered urgent as it is the last council meeting before the provincial legislature reconvenes in the fall.

The mayor is urging the province to repeal Bill 110, which became law in early June. This legislation grants the province the authority to take over the entirety of the Toronto Islands, although the province has stated it will only acquire necessary portions. Furthermore, Ontario has removed the city from a long-standing tripartite agreement governing the airport, assuming the city's position alongside the federal government and the Toronto Port Authority.

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We have been demanding to see the plans, despite the Toronto Port Authority actively hiding them.

Premier Ford had previously described his vision for an expanded airport as a "crown jewel," projecting billions in annual economic benefits. However, Toronto Port Authority CEO RJ Steenstra noted the expansion would cost between $4 and $5 billion over 25 years, funded by passengers and airlines. Steenstra admitted to sharing preliminary plans with federal and provincial governments but not the city, citing scheduling conflicts. Mayor Chow stated she has yet to see these plans, accusing the Toronto Port Authority of actively hiding them and asserting that the city has researched the impacts on housing, the environment, and congestion, identifying Wall Street bankers at JP Morgan as beneficiaries.

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We have researched the impacts on housing, the environment, congestion, and more. We have discovered who would benefit, like the Wall Street bankers at JP Morgan. Council has formally opposed the unacceptable overreach. We still do.