Federal government starts public consultation on future of Toronto’s island airport

The federal government is starting public consultations on the fate of Toronto’s island airport, which the province wants to expand to make room for jets.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government recently passed legislation to take over the City of Toronto’s spot in a tripartite agreement that governs the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

That agreement is now between the province, the federal government and the Toronto Port Authority, which is a federal agency.

Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he hadn’t formed an opinion on Ford’s plan to expand the airport, promising broad consultations on the proposal. Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon and other Toronto Liberal MPs have been noncommital publicly.

Transport Canada has now opened up public consultations on the airport’s future, saying all Canadians are welcome to participate online or by mail by July 24.

The department says it is seeking feedback on issues such as noise, environmental and economic considerations, and quality of life in nearby communities.

It says the feedback shared in the consultation process “will play an important role in informing the Government of Canada’s decision-making on the way forward.”

Transport Canada says it will publish a report to summarize what it has heard from the public.