Olivia Chow Demands Repeal of Island Land Expropriation

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Councilor Ausma Malik filed an urgent motion with the city council demanding the Ontario government return land expropriated from the Toronto Islands and repeal Bill 110. The legislation, passed in June, allowed the province to seize the land and remove the city from the airport's tripartite agreement to facilitate the expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon rejected Premier Doug Ford's proposal to allow jets at the airport, which aimed to increase annual passenger traffic from two million to 10 million. MacKinnon based the decision on public consultations where 87 percent of 87,000 respondents opposed the plan, citing concerns over noise, environmental impact, and the preservation of spaces like Hanlan’s Point Beach and Little Norway Park.

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria criticized the federal decision as yielding to a "fringe group" and stated the province has no intention to repeal Bill 110. Despite the federal block, Sarkaria maintained that the province will continue to push for airport modernization. The Toronto Port Authority, which manages the airport, previously estimated the expansion would cost over $5 billion over 25 years, funded by airlines and passengers.