It's not over. Planning to enlarge Billy Bishop Toronto Island Airport remains in motion.
Despite the federal government's July 24 announcement that it would not proceed with changes "at this stage," a behind-the-scenes feasibility study on expansion is underway.
The many unanswered questions put the city's Inner Harbour—its waterfront and 15 islands—at risk of irreversible consequences.
Catch a glimpse of the best of Toronto's Waterfront, and learn how we might lose it.
Join the movement
Notable Torontonians are speaking out.
Join Margaret Atwood, former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, David Mirvish, former Mayors David Crombie and Art Eggleton, and other notable Torontonians in delivering a Reality Check to federal Liberal MPs.
You can help by demanding answers from your federal elected representatives and stop the undemocratic expansion of Toronto's Island Airport.
About
Who is TORealityCheck?
We are Toronto residents, all volunteers, who care deeply about our city's future. A moderate, credible and determined independent voice, we maintain constructive dialogue with elected officials, governments, public agencies, community stakeholders and the media.
Our Vision
A vibrant, accessible Toronto Inner Harbour — the waterfront and its 15 islands — a crown jewel, one of our greatest civic achievements — where thoughtful stewardship balances recreational, cultural, residential, commercial and transportation uses, enhances quality of life, and supports economic vitality for future generations.
Our Purpose
To ensure active, informed public scrutiny of any proposed changes to Billy Bishop Toronto Island Airport by asking critical questions and demanding credible, evidence-based answers. Decisions must be grounded in facts, transparency and accountability—not unrealistic assumptions, political expediency or unsupported promises.
Our Mission
To ensure that decisions about Toronto Island Airport are made through a transparent, independent and evidence-based public process that serves Toronto residents.
We hold governments accountable by ensuring that their reasons, the consequences of their decisions and the public interest remain open to informed public scrutiny.
The Steering Group of TORealityCheck
Paul Bedford, FCIP, RPP
Former Chief Planner, City of Toronto
Helen Burstyn, C.M.
Former Chair, Waterfront Toronto; Former Chair, Evergreen Foundation
Dr. Cameron Charlebois
Former Chair, Canadian Urban Institute; Former Vice-Chair, Evergreen Foundation
Dr. Anne Golden, C.M., O.Ont.
Former President, Conference Board of Canada; Former President, United Way of Greater Toronto
Ken Greenberg, C.M.
Former Director of Architecture and Urban Design, City of Toronto
David Powell
Retired lawyer and former national business association CEO
