We did it! Toronto’s waterfront wins as federal government grounds the proposal to expand Billy Bishop Airport to accommodate jets.
Today, we’re celebrating a victory that belongs to every single person who loves Toronto’s waterfront, but especially those who have written, emailed or called their MP, urging them not to bring jets to Toronto’s waterfront.
Late last week, the federal government officially decided not to expand the Toronto Island Airport for jets. This triumph is a testament to the power of community voices coming together, including NoJetsTO and Environmental Defence, who joined forces in May with the shared goal of protecting the Toronto waterfront and the millions of people who live, work and play on its shores.
Community Power in Action
Over the last three months, thousands of lawn signs appeared in neighbourhoods throughout the city. Thousands of letters landed on the desks of Toronto MPs. Residents showed up to in-person conversations, made phone calls, and made their voices heard in every way possible. The message was unified and crystal clear: No jets on our waterfront.
A Referendum, Not Just a Consultation
At the end of May, Transport Canada launched a public consultation survey on the proposed expansion, but it wasn’t just a consultation. It was a referendum on the future of our city. And the results were overwhelming. 87,000 people responded to the survey, with 87 per cent saying “no” to jets on our waterfront.
What This Means for Our City
By saying no to jets, we’ve safeguarded our waterfront from increased air, noise and water pollution. We’ve prevented more debilitating gridlock along our already too-congested waterfront corridors. We’ve protected thousands of much-needed new homes that would have been cancelled or blocked to accommodate the flight paths of jets.
And our MPs listened — affirming their commitment to Torontonians by promising not to entertain proposals that compromise our waterfront, parks and environment. They’ve recognized what we’ve already known: that there’s no way jets can land on Toronto’s waterfront without sacrificing cherished public spaces, housing and community health. By affirming their commitment to Torontonians and our waterfront, they have closed the door to jets at the Island Airport.
Today We Celebrate, Tomorrow We Stay Vigilant
This is a monumental win for Toronto, our waterfront and everyone who loves it. It’s a triumph for democratic participation and proof that community power works.
To turn the federal government’s commitment into action, Transport Canada must use its authority to fill the vacancies on the Toronto Port Authority’s Board of Directors with members who publicly oppose any expansion that would compromise the health of our waterfront, parks and environment, or the investments that all levels of government have made in revitalizing our waterfront over the last several decades.
We also urge the Ontario government to immediately repeal Bill 110 at the start of the fall 2026 legislative session. With the federal government nixing any expansion of the airport for jets, the province needs to return all expropriated waterfront and Toronto Island lands to the City of Toronto.
Take Action: Thank your MP and ensure they follow through on their commitment.
Together, we’ve shown that our waterfront isn’t for sale. Let’s make sure it stays that way.
