Toronto-Harbour-NoMoreJets-Photo

The Toronto Island Airport has been a political battleground for decades

Residents, activists, and politicians have repeatedly fought to protect Toronto's waterfront from jet noise and pollution. A 1983 tripartite agreement formally banned commercial jet traffic — but in May 2026, the debate reignited. NoJetsTO and Environmental Defence partnered to fight back, and in July 2026, the federal government listened: no jets on our waterfront. The Toronto Islands were saved!

2003
Mayor David Miller is elected based on a promise to stop the Island Airport bridge, explaining that the island airport bridge would lead to a "Pearson on the Lake".

Learn More
2013
Porter Airlines CEO Robert Deluce calls for jets at the Island Airport. NoJetsTO is created to stand up for our soon to be revitalized waterfront.

Learn More
2014
Toronto City Council votes 44-0 for a phased approach to Island Airport expansion, the Proponents start an environmental assessment that was never released.

Learn More
2015
The Federal Government announces that they do not support jets at the Island Airport; the fight is over.

Learn More
2015
NoJetsTO holds victory party. UP Express opens and the Queens Quay revitalization is opened to the public.

Learn More
May 2026
Premier Doug Ford announces his intention to expropriate Toronto land at the Island Airport, with the intention of shutting Torontonians out of the debate. NoJetsTO restarts efforts to save our waterfront.

Learn More
July 2026
People power wins! After 87,000 residents opposed the plan, the federal government rejected jet expansion at the Toronto Island Airport — a landmark victory for the Toronto waterfront.

Learn More
July 2026
Victory! More than 1,000 residents marched, rallied, and paddled in celebration after the federal government blocked jet expansion at the Toronto Island Airport.

Learn More

Follow us on:

Copyright © 2010-2026 Environmental Defence Canada. All Rights Reserved.
Charitable #11883 0835 RR0001