Mayor Olivia Chow said on June 16 that Toronto has been left out of talks concerning a proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Airport. She added that the city has not received any details about the project and that the Toronto Port Authority asked her to sign a nondisclosure agreement before receiving information.
The Toronto Port Authority, which oversees the airport, is reportedly discussing a plan to enlarge the facility. According to the mayor, the authority has not provided municipal officials with any briefing or documentation related to the expansion, leaving the city without insight into the scope or timing of the proposal.
City officials echoed the mayor’s concern, stating that they are being kept in the dark about the project. They emphasized the need for transparency and coordination between the port authority and municipal government, especially given the airport’s location within the city and its impact on local transportation, noise, and land use.
The request for a nondisclosure agreement, as described by Mayor Chow, suggests that the Port Authority intends to limit public discussion of the expansion until certain conditions are met. The mayor’s statement underscores a growing tension between the municipal administration and the agency that manages the airport.
No further details about the proposed expansion have been released, and the city has not been invited to participate in any formal planning sessions. The situation remains unresolved as Toronto officials seek more information and a role in any future decision‑making process regarding the airport’s development.