TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the province will take control of Toronto’s stake in the island airport.

He says the province wants to expand the runways to allow some types of jets to take off and land at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Currently, only turboprop planes can use the downtown airport.

Ford says the city needs two airports to compete with other cities around the world.

The land the airport is operating on is governed by an agreement between the city, the federal government and the Toronto Port Authority, which is a federal agency.

The airport move is the latest in Ford’s vision for Toronto’s waterfront, where he is spending billions to rebuild Ontario Place and is also looking for a spot to build a massive convention centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 10, 2026.

Liam Casey and Allison Jones, The Canadian Press