Ontario Declares Billy Bishop Airport First Special Economic Zone

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on March 23, 2026, that his government will declare Toronto's Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport the province's first special economic zone, as part of a plan to assume control of city-owned land and expand the facility to accommodate larger jet aircraft.

The move targets the island airport, located on a man-made peninsula in Toronto Harbour, and aims to modernize operations by extending the runway and allowing jet service, which has been restricted for decades. Ford stated during a news conference that the province will introduce legislation in the upcoming spring session of the legislature to take over the City of Toronto's role in the tripartite agreement governing the airport's land and operations. That 1983 agreement currently involves the City of Toronto, which owns about 20 percent of the property; the Toronto Port Authority, a federal agency that owns 78 percent; and the Government of Canada, which holds the remaining 2 percent.

Under the proposed plan, the province would acquire the city's land holdings in exchange for fair compensation and replace Toronto in the agreement. Officials said the designation as a special economic zone...