Anti-jet group applauds Liberal decision on Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport
Posted November 3, 2015 9:27 am.
Last Updated November 3, 2015 1:07 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Toronto group that has long opposed jets at the island airport is applauding the Liberal government’s decision to stop the expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
“The new federal government was elected on the promise of stopping the airport expansion and we are happy to see them stand by their word,” NoJetsTO Chair Norman Di Pasquale said in a statement Tuesday.
“Together with countless Toronto residents we are elated to see the Liberal’s pledge confirmed – it means the jets proposal is dead.”
NoJetsTO was also opposed to any lengthening of the runway at the island and at least one prominent Toronto MP agrees.
Just last month, re-elected Liberal MP Adam Vaughan said he was continuing his push to prevent jets from landing at the airport. Di Pasquale said Tuesday that Vaughan had once again confirmed the new government’s position.
According to Metro News, that decision which will have major corporate consequences.
As the new Trudeau government faces a decision on whether to offer financial assistance to Bombardier, as the Quebec government did last week, its policy regarding expansion at Billy Bishop would scuttle a $2-billion jet order for Bombardier from Porter Airlines.
Porter wants to buy up to 30 of Bombardier’s new CSeries jets, but only if the runway is lengthened. The federal government is one of three bodies that needs to give the green light on any change to the island airport infrastructure.
The statement from Justin Trudeau’s office backs a promise made by Vaughan, who campaigned partly on the jet issue.
Bombardier has 243 firm orders for the CSeries, which is two years behind schedule and the company says it needs additional cash to complete the project.
