The Government of Canada has launched an official consultation process on the introduction of jets to Billy Bishop Airport. It's important that they hear from you!
You can quickly send the letter below by completing the form on this page.
Attention: Consultation – Future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
As you consider plans to introduce jets to downtown Toronto, please take into consideration the impacts this will have on the existing homes and attractions on our waterfront, as well as Toronto’s ability to follow through on the vision for our waterfront that our city has spent two decades developing and putting into action.
Toronto's existing plans for our waterfront have been designed in consultation with residents and experts to meet our growing city’s needs, including housing, recreation, and tourist attractions - carefully balanced with practical considerations like traffic, environment, parks, infrastructure and livability.
These plans, and Toronto's priorities, cannot be tossed aside and subordinated to the private interests of the airport's owners.
No evidence has been provided to support the Premier's claims that introducing jets downtown will have any economic benefit to the public, nor that there will be sufficient demand to reach the 10 million passenger target which is being used to justify the project. The Port Authority claims that the $5 billion cost of the expansion will be paid for by user fees, not the public, but their current income cannot support that conclusion. And regardless, taxpayers would also be on the hook for additional public infrastructure and transit - money which could be better spent on other priorities across the City. The public deserves a thorough value-for-money assessment of this project, and we deserve to know exactly who stands to profit from it.
The negative consequences of this proposal are very real. The Port Authority's own Environmental Assessment in 2017 raises serious concerns about the public impacts of this proposal. The study concludes that introducing jets will have adverse impacts on “marine navigation, water quality, the socio-economic environment, and the natural environment”. The study warns that jets will change the "look and feel" of the waterfront and could negatively impact public perceptions. A recent report by the City agrees that there will be negative impacts on market perception and livability. Contrary to what the Premier suggests, there is a significant risk that increased noise pollution, water pollution, air pollution and traffic congestion would have an adverse impact on tourism and economic development on the waterfront.
The waterfront belongs to all of us, and it holds so much potential to support our economy, while also serving residents and improving attractions for tourists - it shouldn’t be overwhelmed by a massive runway and blast wall.
I’m asking you to respect our city’s local autonomy, and our vision for the waterfront – plans we have underway and will continue to build on as a community.