Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is prepared to seize land from the City of Toronto in order to move forward with a plan to expand runways at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and allow jets to operate at the downtown waterfront facility.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday at Queen’s Park, Ford confirmed that the province could expropriate the city’s share of the airport lands if municipal officials block the plan. The move would give Ontario a seat at the table in decisions about the future of the airport, which is currently governed by a decades-old agreement between the city, the federal government and the Toronto Port Authority.

“I was very straightforward with her that we will be taking over the airport,” Ford said, referring to a recent meeting he had with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

“This is a crown jewel. We’re one of the largest cities in North America. Other cities like New York and Chicago have two airports,” Ford said. “And this is an economic driver. It’s going to create competition. A lot of people don’t want to be driving up to Pearson.”

The premier said the province would compensate the city for the value of the land and for any lost revenue, which could total up to $5 million a year.

Federal government signals cautious openness

The plan would require federal involvement because the airport falls under federal aviation oversight and is governed by a tripartite agreement that includes Transport Canada.

Speaking Monday, federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon did not explicitly endorse jets at the airport but suggested Ottawa is open to examining future expansion as part of a broader review.

“What we’re supportive of… is recognizing what a vital transportation link Billy Bishop is,” MacKinnon said.

He noted that discussions about the airport’s future involve several partners, including the port authority, the city and the province, and must consider evolving aviation standards and safety requirements.

“There are a number of things that we have to continue looking at in this airport. Safety is one… this airport also has to be a good neighbour,” MacKinnon said.

Much of the airport’s regulatory framework dates back decades, he added.

“This was all envisaged in the ’80s. That was a different era in aviation, a different era in safety standards, a different era in connectivity,” he said. “It’s incumbent on all of us… to look at what the future might hold in terms of its development.”

Chow has opposed jets at the airport

Allowing jets at the island airport has long been politically contentious in Toronto.

Chow has previously opposed the idea, citing concerns about noise, environmental impacts and the effect on the city’s revitalized waterfront.

A spokesperson for Olivia Chow’s office said that City Council recently voted to extend the lease at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to allow for the federally-mandated runway extension to be completed by July 2027.

“The Mayor has not seen a formal proposal for an airport expansion. This decision must be made with a thorough analysis of all the facts and input from Torontonians to ensure the best possible outcome for the city and its residents. The Mayor will continue to insist that the Provincial and Federal government work with the city and make sure Toronto is at the table when big decisions are being made about our waterfront,” a statement from her office reads.

A spokesperson for the mayor also said earlier this week that the city supports a “robust public process” currently underway to update the airport’s master plan involving the port authority and Transport Canada.

Opponents of the plan argue that expanding the airport could have significant impacts on the waterfront.

Norm Di Pasquale, co-chair of the advocacy group NoJetsTO, criticized Ford’s comments and warned that taking control of city land would sideline Toronto residents from decisions about the airport’s future.

“Ford’s thoughtless decision to steal city land at the airport shuts Torontonians out of a debate that could have disastrous effects for our revitalized waterfront,” he said in a statement.

Critics have argued that allowing jets would bring more noise and increased flight traffic to an area used by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors who frequent the Toronto Islands’ parks, beaches and harbour.