Ontario’s transportation minister says the federal government caved to the demands of a “small fringe group” when it announced it would block the province’s plan to revamp Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to accommodate commercial jets.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced last week that Ottawa had rejected the provincial proposal to expand the airport, following public consultations that drew more than 87,000 responses, mainly from Toronto residents.
MacKinnon said last week that Ottawa would not pursue any plans that could encroach on public spaces, increase noise levels, have considerable environmental consequences, or impede housing construction in Toronto.
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria criticized Ottawa’s decision at an unrelated press conference this week while fielding questions from the media….