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Ontario minister slams Ottawa for blocking Toronto island airport expansion, calls opponents 'fringe group'
🇨🇦 Canada /Energy & Infrastructure

Ontario minister slams Ottawa for blocking Toronto island airport expansion, calls opponents 'fringe group'

From Global News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Ontario's transportation minister criticized the federal government for blocking the expansion of Billy Bishop airport, calling opponents a "fringe group."
  • The federal government cited overwhelming negative feedback during public consultations and a desire to protect public spaces for its decision.
  • The province vowed to push forward with the expansion, refusing to repeal legislation that allowed land expropriation for the project.

Ontario's Transportation Minister Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria vowed to "push forward" with the expansion of Billy Bishop airport, sharply criticizing the federal government for yielding to a "fringe group" of Toronto residents who opposed the province's plans. Sarkaria stated the province has "no intention to repeal" legislation enabling the expropriation of Toronto lands and replacing the city's role in the airport's oversight agreement.

We've seen the federal government listen to a small fringe group in Toronto.

— Prabmeet Singh SarkariaOntario's Minister of Transportation criticizing the federal government's decision to block the Billy Bishop airport expansion.

Federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon announced Friday that plans to expand the runway for jet aircraft were halted. MacKinnon cited overwhelming negative feedback from public consultations and emphasized the federal government's focus on "approved safety enhancements" that do not "infringe on treasured public spaces."

At this stage, I can confirm that our focus lies exclusively on the approved safety enhancements.

— Steven MacKinnonFederal Transportation Minister explaining the government's decision to halt the airport expansion.

The federal decision was celebrated by opponents of the expansion, prompting Mayor Olivia Chow to lead a city council motion demanding the return of expropriated island airport lands. While the Ford government appeared surprised by the federal decision, Sarkaria indicated a refusal to back down. "We've seen the federal government listen to a small fringe group in Toronto," Sarkaria said, questioning how larger projects would fare under such conditions.

If Prime Minister Carney and his team want to… if this is how they’re going to treat bigger projects, I don’t think you’ll get much built.

— Prabmeet Singh SarkariaOntario's Minister of Transportation expressing frustration with the federal government's decision.

Sarkaria asserted the expansion "makes sense," highlighting support from healthcare CEOs in Northern Ontario regarding connectivity and mayors in Eastern Ontario about regional transportation needs. He stated that Premier Ford's government would continue working with the Toronto Port Authority on its modernization plan and urged the federal government to reconsider the proposal.

makes sense

— Prabmeet Singh SarkariaOntario's Minister of Transportation describing the airport expansion project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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