Carney Backs Bishop Airport Expansion, But Not Yet

0:00Prime Minister Mark Carney called Ontario Premier Doug Ford's plan to expand Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport, an interesting idea, but he didn't fully. Back at Yen, the proposal aims to lengthen the runway on the Toronto Islands to handle jets instead of just the smaller turboprop planes that fly there now. This debate has dragged off for decades under a 1983 tripartite agreement between the city, the Toronto Port Authority, RA, and the federal government that currently bans jets. Ford plans to take control by expropriating the city's stake and turning the site into a special economic zone, which could override local rules too. Speed things up. Carney, speaking at a housing event with Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, said the federal side might step in more if the province and city team up. Efficiently, he stressed they're working on it without rushing a decision. Chow has pushed back hard, citing safety issues like missing runway buffer zones required by Transport Canada with a deadline next summer.

1:01She wants full consultations before any jets switch and noted the feds are now leading. Local Liberal MPs back her call for more public input. Meanwhile, Porter Airlines and the terminal owners argue modern jets are as quiet as turboprops and want to change. The city recently agreed to extend the old agreement to 2045, allowing current planes to keep flying with those buffers. But jets would need a bigger runway stretch. All levels of government are talking collaboration on this and other projects like transit, so expect more movement soon as they sort out. Responsibilities and push Toronto forward. Local news, powered by AI, this is Canada News Today.