Save the Waterfront Virtual Town Hall Examines Proposed Billy Bishop Airport Expansion

A virtual town hall hosted by Toronto Centre MPP Chris Glover brought together waterfront users, residents, scientists and environmental advocates to examine the proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

At the centre of the discussion was a presentation by waterfront advocate Ron Jenkins, who outlined concerns about the scale of the proposed expansion and its potential impacts on Toronto Harbour.

The proposal would extend the airport farther into Lake Ontario, including an approximately 750-metre western extension and a 150-metre eastern extension. Jenkins said the project could also expand marine exclusion zones and create new challenges for boaters navigating the Western Gap.

“Small recreational boats would be further constrained at the entrance to the Western Channel,” Jenkins said, citing earlier environmental analysis of a smaller proposed runway extension. “No mitigation is available to ease the challenge of navigating the entrance to the Western Channel.”

Jenkins also raised concerns about changes to water circulation in the harbour. Earlier analysis of a smaller expansion found that the Western Gap could experience a roughly 50 per cent reduction in cross-sectional water flow, potentially increasing the time needed for water to circulate through the Inner Harbour.

Elizabeth, a longtime Toronto Island Marina user, described the consequences of poor water circulation.
“They stink,” she said, referring to algae buildup she has seen in marina basins when water flow is limited.

The presentation also examined potential impacts on wildlife and migratory birds. Participants noted that the Toronto Islands are an important habitat and stopover for hundreds of bird species, including the endangered piping plover.

“Over 200 species of migratory birds visit every single year,” one participant said.

Jenkins also warned that new airport infrastructure, including jet blast deflectors and runway approach lighting, could affect public views of the waterfront and create additional concerns for boaters and waterfront users.

The town hall also raised questions about noise, air quality, traffic and the impact of aircraft operations on tens of thousands of residents living along Toronto’s waterfront.

Glover questioned the need for the expansion, pointing to the planned growth of Toronto Pearson International Airport.

“This expansion at Billy Bishop is not necessary,” Glover said. “In fact, it’s a waste of $5 billion because Pearson will be able to accommodate all the additional passengers.”

For participants, the discussion reflected a larger civic question: how should Toronto make decisions about shared public spaces that affect the environment, communities and public access?

The Save the Waterfront town hall gave residents and waterfront users an opportunity to examine the proposal and consider how they can participate in the consultation process.

The issue matters because the future of Toronto’s waterfront is not only about an airport. It is about protecting public access, the harbour’s ecological health and the right of communities to have a meaningful voice in decisions that shape the city’s shared spaces.