Contrary to what its citizens may think, Ontario generally and Toronto specifically do not occupy centre stage in most Canadians’ minds. Therefore, I don’t often write about the province where I live; however, sometimes there is a confluence of national and provincial politics. The decision not to expand Billy Bishop Airport is one such instance.

Although I do not live in Toronto and visit it as infrequently as possible, I was almost jubilant when I learned that the Carney government had said no to power-mad premier Doug Ford’s intention to expand the airport to accommodate jets. A city with a history of blighting its waterfront with towering condos that block views and access to Lake Ontario, it was heartening that city residents rallied in force against Ford’s plan, which would have seen the expropriation of parkland and Toronto Island land to allow for those jets. Esthetics aside, it would also have meant exposure to much more toxic pollution for anyone living nearby, since jets expend a great deal of fuel both taking off and landing. 

Nonetheless, the Ontario government is unwilling to admit defeat. And that refusal also reveals what it thinks of those who actively engage in their democratic rights.

Blasting the federal government for listening to “a small fringe group in Toronto,” provincial Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria insists the Billy Bishop expansion is not dead. 

“We’ve seen the federal government here listen to a small fringe group in Toronto, but we, as the province, will continue to push forward on modernization of this airport because it’s the right thing to do and it makes sense,” he said Tuesday at an unrelated announcement in St. Thomas.

Sarkaria’s thoughts epitomize how this government exercises its power. It operates on the principle that it knows best about all things, and voters have only to accept that ‘truth’. Such is reflected in the fact that prior to the decision, Ford disempowered Toronto as one of the tripartite partners in the operation of the airport. The city lost its authority through provincial legislation, and there is clearly no desire for the Ford government to reflect upon its decisions.

Perhaps provincial NDP leader Marit Stiles says it best:

“This premier’s obsession with Toronto has gone on long enough. Minister Sarkaria referring to the people who opposed this project as a ‘fringe group’ is a pathetic insult to the tens of thousands of people who fought back against this ridiculous project,” said Stiles.

“Doug Ford didn’t get his way, and his ministers are lashing out at constituents for using their democratic rights. We don’t need jets in the middle of Toronto. Bill 110 is still law, and Doug Ford has given himself the power to do whatever he wants with Little Norway Park and the Toronto Islands. It’s time for the premier to end this land grab, kill Bill 110, and return these lands to the city of Toronto.”

Is the expansion of Billy Bishop dead? That remains to be seen, but, as Theo Moudakis reminds us in the above editorial cartoon, three federal byelections are pending. With Toronto having so many Liberal MPs, the results of those byelections will determine whether Mark Carney continues with his majority.

As always, politics being what it is, I believe it is wise to exercise a degree of cynical caution about the course of future events.