Ford floats runway extension for Billy Bishop, cites polling support

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is reviving talk of expanding Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. 

Ford made the remarks Thursday night at the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s annual dinner, according to Global News, saying he’d seen polling that he claims supports expanding the island airport, including a longer runway that could accommodate larger jet engines.

“They’re incredible people,” Ford said of airport leadership. 

“But I got to tell you one thing, we got to extend that runway. We have to bring jets in, smaller jets, whatever, until people can hop on there.”

Billy Bishop isn’t under the province’s direct control. 

The airport is governed through a tripartite agreement involving the City of Toronto, the Toronto Port Authority and the federal government. 

That lease was recently extended from 2033 to 2045, after Toronto city council approved an extension late in 2024 by a 17–8 vote, following a motion from Mayor Olivia Chow. 

Chow advanced the proposal despite a staff report that advised against extending the agreement before more public consultation.

Ford aimed his remarks directly at Chow, suggesting public opinion would give her political room to back an expansion.

“So, mayor, we did a poll, and our poll is pretty, pretty accurate,” Ford said. 

“It is telling us that 70 per cent of the people — now this just totally flipped, especially for people living downtown and that want to get somewhere real quick.”

Chow’s office said in a statement that she would “work with the Premier on waterfront revitalization.”

Billy Bishop sits on Toronto Island, across the water from Bathurst Street. 

It serves Air Canada and Porter Airlines routes to Canadian destinations and some U.S. cities, including New York and Chicago. 

The airport competes with Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga and, to a lesser extent, airports in Hamilton and Kitchener.

Ford framed a potential expansion as an economic opportunity, calling the airport a “gold mine” because of its proximity to downtown.

“It’s a gold mine, having an airport downtown. That’s what the polls are saying. That’s what the people are saying,” Ford said. 

“They want another option to get this done. So, with the mayor’s support, we’re going to put out some proposals to get things moving.”

In a statement, Toronto Port Authority said it welcomes Ford’s comments and argued the airport should be part of broader efforts by provincial and federal governments to “build resiliency,” “prepare for the future,” and “unlock the tremendous economic potential of the airport.”

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