Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon killed the expansion on July 24. The federal government would not, he said, pursue plans that "infringe on treasured public spaces like Little Norway Park or Hanlan's Point Beach, result in elevated noise, have significant environmental impacts, or hinder Toronto's ability to build much-needed housing."

The decision halts a $5 billion provincial infrastructure project. It also buries Bill 110, the Building Billy Bishop Airport Act, which Doug Ford's government passed in June to strip Toronto of its role in airport governance and clear the way for runway extension and jet service. The provincial legislation had attempted to override the Tripartite Agreement, a 1983 accord that gives the federal government, the Toronto Port Authority, and the city joint control. Amendments require unanimous consent; MacKinnon withheld his.

The consultation ran June 8 to July 24. Federal sources told The Globe and Mail that "an overwhelming majority of people in Toronto said that they did not want the expansion to go forward." The full data has not been released.

Billy Bishop sits in Spadina-Harbourfront, represented by Liberal MP Chi Nguyen, who had opposed the expansion and warned that "the province cannot make decisions about the airport alone." The riding borders Toronto Centre. Median home prices there exceed $1.5 million. Community opposition to airport expansion has organized for decades.

Federal Liberals have shown less willingness to deploy federal authority against Ford's priorities elsewhere. The decision to intervene here—while citing Toronto housing needs—maps the electoral coalition the party believes it must hold. Mayor Olivia Chow, who called the provincial takeover a "land grab," thanked federal leaders for "listening to the people of Toronto."

The airport's separate runway safety expansion continues. It is expected to complete in mid-2027. Jets do not.

Sources: The Star (https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/federal-governent-grounds-billy-bishop-airport-expansion/article_e6ed731e-b8f0-46b1-9caa-250220b52f38.html); City of Toronto staff report (https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-287461.pdf); Transport Canada consultation page (https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/consultations/public-consultation-future-billy-bishop-toronto-city-airport); Chi Nguyen MP statement (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chinguyencanada_my-statement-on-billy-bishop-toronto-city-activity-7442250140364603392-i-9I); CBC News (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/billy-bishop-airport-federal-government-9.7283568); The Globe and Mail (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-billy-bishop-airport-toronto-jets-carney-ford/)