Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is calling on the Ontario government to repeal legislation granting it control over a portion of the city’s waterfront lands, following a federal decision to rule out expanding Billy Bishop Airport. The development comes after federal Transport Minister Steven McKinnon announced last Friday that upgrades to the airport would remain limited to approved safety enhancements already underway, dropping any plans for a runway extension.
Chow Demands Land Return and Cites Park Maintenance
During an interview with CTV News Toronto on Tuesday, Mayor Chow urged the provincial government to return the waterfront properties to municipal hands. The parcels in question include parkland areas, the Toronto Islands themselves, and the surrounding shoreline near Hanlan’s Point. “If the answer is no, why do you want a local park and local beaches? Like it’s always belonged to the City of Toronto,” Chow said in the interview.
Chow also pointed to ongoing maintenance needs along the affected shoreline, noting that the municipality is preparing to allocate funds to address beach erosion near the areas initially targeted for development. “We have the Hammonds Point Beach. There’s several beaches on the Toronto Islands. We’re about to spend a bit of money because it’s been eroding,” she explained. On Monday, Chow introduced an urgent motion to City Council appealing to the province, alongside launching a public petition asking residents to urge the provincial government to return the land.
Province Vows to Push Modernization Despite Federal Pushback
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated during a news conference in London, Ont., on Tuesday afternoon that the province has “no intention” of repealing the legislation passed in March that transferred control of the city-owned waterfront lands to the province. Sarkaria expressed disappointment regarding the federal government’s decision to halt airport expansion plans, accusing Ottawa of listening to a “small fringe group in Toronto.” Despite the federal roadblock, Sarkaria vowed that the province will continue pushing for the airport’s modernization.
Sarkaria defended the infrastructure initiative as an economic necessity that prepares the region for the long term. “As I have said, we fully support the modernization plan put forward by the Toronto Port Authority,” Sarkaria said during the news conference. The legislation affecting the Toronto Islands and other waterfront properties was passed in March, and the province maintains that its authority over the lands will remain unchanged as the debate over the airport’s future continues.
Did You Know? The legislation granting the Ontario government control over the disputed waterfront lands, including the Toronto Islands and areas near Hanlan’s Point, was passed in March.
While the municipal administration focuses on local park preservation and beach erosion mitigation, provincial officials view the airport modernization as a multi-decade economic necessity, leaving the ultimate fate of the waterfront properties uncertain as legal and political pressures mount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mayor Olivia Chow asking the province to repeal the waterfront legislation?
Mayor Chow is asking the province to repeal the legislation after the federal government ruled out expanding Billy Bishop Airport. With the expansion halted, Chow argues the province has no reason to retain control over city-owned local parks, beaches, and the Toronto Islands.
What did the federal government decide regarding Billy Bishop Airport?
Last Friday, federal Transport Minister Steven McKinnon announced that potential expansion plans for Billy Bishop Airport would be halted. Upgrades will be limited to approved safety enhancements already underway, meaning there will be no extension of the runway.
Does the Ontario government plan to return the waterfront lands to the City of Toronto?
No. Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated that the province has “no intention” of repealing the legislation that transferred control of the waterfront lands and will continue pushing for the modernization of the airport.
What steps should local governments take when provincial and municipal authorities clash over waterfront land use and major infrastructure projects?
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