Toronto’s waterfront could soon be facing major changes as plans to expand the island airport raise the prospect of more jets and large blast walls by the lake. Premier Doug Ford says the provincial government is prepared to take control of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in order to extend its runway and allow jets to operate in and out of the downtown core. "We'll be taking over the airport," Ford told reporters at a news conference earlier this month. "We will be compensating the city for it. Not compensating just for the value but also for any lost revenue. I believe they make $5 million a year, we will compensate them for that." The proposal marks a potentially significant shift for the airport, which is currently governed through a tripartite deal between the city, the Toronto Port Authority, and the federal government. On the other hand, Mayor Olivia Chow signalled hesitation about the proposal, particularly when it comes to introducing more jets into the downtown airspace. "I have not seen any concrete plans for an extended airport, so I don't precisely know what the province might be doing," she said. "As for jets, there needs to be discussion so the waterfront is balanced. I don't support jets. Jets are noisy." While Ford emphasized that the expansion would focus on smaller jets, not large planes like 747s, the potential impacts are already raising concerns among waterfront residents and local advocacy groups. One of these groups, namely Waterfront for All , says a previously undisclosed environmental assessment , commissioned by the Toronto Port Authority and completed in 2017, outlines several risks associated with allowing jets at the island airport. The report, which was reviewed by blogTO, was recently released through a Freedom of Information request and relates to a 2013 proposal by Porter Airlines to introduce jets, which was ultimately rejected by the federal government in 2015. The environmental assessment (EA) of jets at the island airport says jet blast deflectors would range from 14 to 19 feet. There would be deflectors also along the side of the runway, plus sound walls. Also jet blast wind could cause small recreational boats to become unstable 1/2 pic.twitter.com/xewqBjrqOo — NoJetsTO (@NoJetsTO) March 20, 2026 According to the assessment, one of the most significant changes would be the installation of jet blast deflectors, which would reach several feet high and would be installed at the ends of the runway, with additional barriers running along its sides. The report also warns that the jet blast could pose risks on the water, with heavy winds strong enough to destabilize small recreational boats and create maneuverability challenges for vessels in the Western Channel near the airport. Another concern detailed in the assessment and echoed by local residents is noise, with the report suggesting that increased jet traffic could pose potential impacts such as sleep disturbance and what it describes as "environmental insomnia." Still, Ford noted that studies need to take place to analyze the impacts of the jets on the waterfront before anything can be finalized. "I don't ever force 747s flying into the island airport. It'll be convenient for travellers, especially going around Canada and possibly into the U.S.," he said. The city already has plans to make safety-related runway upgrades at Billy Bishop Airport by 2027.