Ottawa blocks the airport expansion threatening Hanlan's Point
The federal government blocked the Billy Bishop expansion and named Hanlan's Point specifically as a space that must be protected
The fight is over, for now.
On July 24, the same day Canada’s federal consultation on Billy Bishop Airport closed, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the federal government would not support Ontario’s expansion plan. The consultation drew more than 87,000 responses, with public opinion reported as solidly opposed.
MacKinnon was explicit about what the government was protecting. “We will not pursue any plans that infringe on treasured public spaces like Little Norway Park or Hanlan’s Point Beach,” he said.
Hanlan’s Point Beach is named in a federal policy statement. The beach is the world’s oldest legally designated nude beach and the only officially designated clothing-optional beach in eastern Canada. That kind of recognition in a federal policy document is new.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed the decision and immediately called on the province to return the city’s land, seized earlier this year under Bill 110. Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province intends to keep pushing for expansion regardless.
So the threat isn’t permanently dead. Ford hasn’t conceded, and Bill 110 remains on the books. But the federal government has drawn a line, and Hanlan’s Point is on the right side of it.
Planet Nude covered the expansion threat two weeks ago, when the consultation was still open. The 87,000 responses suggest a lot of people were paying attention. 🪐
More to explore:
The airport next door wants Hanlan’s Point’s beach
Hanlan’s Point Beach in Toronto is Canada’s oldest surviving queer space, the site of the country’s first Pride gathering in 1971, and the only officially designated clothing-optional beach in eastern Canada. It has survived police raids, develo…
My friends and I were so relieved to hear this news! Great to hear amidst a fight to get the resources needed to save the beach from disappearing into the lake due to erosion
Toronto has a proper airport, use that instead. This seems similar to the madness of Washington National in DC. Forcing a big airport next to a dense urban environment because a few powerful people don't like a longer car ride to their plane.