Frequently Asked Questions

Transport Canada’s new regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Parts I, III and VI — RESA): SOR/2021-269 in January 2022. These regulations apply to any Canadian airport that reaches 325,000 passengers for two consecutive years. When Statistics Canada publishes its passenger numbers for 2023 (by Summer 2024), Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will have reached 325,000 annual passengers for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023). This triggers the 3-year implementation period timeline to complete the RESA project, requiring RESA to be in place at the Airport by Q2 2027.

None of the RESA options being considered will impact the marine exclusion zone (MEZ) and therefore will not impact the use of the lake.

More work is being undertaken by PortsToronto with AECOM to further understand the environmental impact through a comprehensive environmental assessment.

As part of the RESA Enhancement Project, PortsToronto is working with AECOM to undertake a comprehensive environmental assessment. This will include components related to:

• Natural environment

• Marine physical environment

• Water Quality Assessment

• Socio-Economic Assessment

• Marine Navigation

• Air Quality

• Noise

• Built Form and Land Use

• Transportation

• Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

PortsToronto is committed to identifying and implementing sustainability measures and operational impact mitigation to ensure environmental protection and address community concerns.

No. In fact, some RESA options include noise walls that would reduce the impact of airport noise.

No. RESA does not change the number of flights taking off or landing at Billy Bishop Airport.

No. RESA does not change the type of aircraft that can use the runway at Billy Bishop Airport.

Financing for RESA will be undertaken by PortsToronto and will therefore not cost the City of Toronto anything.

Ideally, PortsToronto will work with private sector financing to fund the implementation of RESA.

RESA is an important and effective safety requirement that has been mandated by Transport Canada for all Canadian airports and has been legislated around the world. This is about safety and there will be no such exemption requested by PortsToronto.

PortsToronto, formerly known as the Toronto Port Authority (TPA), is a financially self-sufficient government business enterprise which operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.

PortsToronto is responsible for overseeing the operations and development of several key assets, including:

• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

• The Port of Toronto and associated Marine Terminals, which handle various goods and cargo.

• Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas.

Billy Bishop Airport is Canada’s ninth-busiest airport, welcoming 2.8 million business and leisure travellers in 2018. The airport is also Canada’s sixth-busiest airport with passenger service to the United States. Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines’ networks, Billy Bishop Airport is an important international gateway and a key driver of Toronto’s economy.

The airport hosts two award-winning commercial air carriers, Porter Airlines and Air Canada, and has gained an excellent reputation throughout the travelling community for superior customer service and amenities such as the pedestrian tunnel, enhanced shuttle service, full-service lounges, proximity to downtown and shorter security lines. The close proximity to downtown Toronto and the ease of access to the airport have made Billy Bishop Airport the airport of choice for business and leisure travellers alike.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport also serves as a base for Ornge air ambulance services, two Fixed Base Operators, FlyGTA and Heli Tours, and is home to a personal/general aviation community that includes approximately 50 private planes and one flight school.

Billy Bishop Airport is owned and operated by PortsToronto.

In order for RESA to be implemented, the agreement that governs the use and operation of the airport will need to be updated. This agreement is known as the Tripartite Agreement.

In June 1983 the federal government, City of Toronto and PortsToronto, signed the Tripartite Agreement which allows PortsToronto to operate the Airport as a general aviation and commercial service airport for a period of 50 years, until June 2033. 

Under the Tripartite Agreement, the Airport is not permitted to undertake any land mass alteration beyond the airport’s current land mass. 

To implement RESA, PortsToronto will need to secure a loan to fund construction. Funding institutions and lenders will likely require a loan period that will exceed the  current term of the Tripartite Agreement . This is why PortsToronto is asking the City and federal government to extend the agreement and permit airport operations beyond 2033.

Over the course of the last several months Transport Canada and the City of Toronto have been working with PortsToronto to provide advice and guidance on the various processes that need to be undertaken prior to construction beginning on RESA. These may include:

• public engagement to ensure residents of Toronto understand the project and share their perspectives;

• Indigenous consultation with treaty/rights holders;

• regulatory approvals on the selected design and construction plan;

• technical studies for an Environmental Assessment (EA) such as air quality, noise, water quality assessment, natural environment, socio-economic assessment and more.

The current Tripartite Agreement does not allow the expansion of lands beyond the airport’s present land area. It is also set to expire in June 2033. 

In order to comply with RESA guidelines the clause related to expansion of lands will need to be adjusted.

In order for PortsToronto to secure funding, the term of the agreement will need to be extended.

As a party to the Tripartite Agreement the City of Toronto is involved in conversations with both PortsToronto and Transport Canada to ensure PortsToronto is able to comply with the safety regulations and implement RESA within the required timeline.

As a party to the Tripartite Agreement, and the issuer of the RESA regulations, Transport Canada is involved in conversations with both PortsToronto and the City of Toronto to ensure PortsToronto is able to comply with the safety regulations and implement RESA within the required timeline.

We held our first public meetings on July 17th at the Auditorium at George Brown Waterfront Campus (51 Dockside Dr.) from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. View the slides from the presentations at that meeting here (PDF) and view videos of the meetings here.

You can sign-up here to receive information about upcoming events and news.

More information about upcoming public consultations will be shared as it becomes available.

A more detailed timeline will be posted as additional information becomes available. Currently, the high-level timelines for this project are as follows:

• 2024 – Alternatives study, preliminary design, environmental assessment

• 2025 – Permitting, project delivery procurement, final design

• 2026 to 2027 – Construction and commissioning

All details to be confirmed and dates are subject to change.

The landmass extensions required for the three Runway End Safety Area (RESA) options at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport vary based on the specific design and safety requirements of each option..

RESA 1: Requires a landmass extension of approximately 54 meters from both the east and west seawalls, resulting in a total extension of about 108 meters. The total area of this extension is approximately 13,950 m2.

RESA 2: Involves a more significant landmass extension on the west side, with around 82 meters from the west seawall and 52 meters from the east seawall, totaling approximately 134 meters. The total area of this extension is approximately 23,100 m2.

RESA 3: This option involves a more extensive landmass increase, with around 82 meters from the west seawall and 66 meters from the east seawall, leading to a total extension of about 148 meters. The total area of this extension is approximately 45,500 m2.

Each RESA option is designed to ensure compliance with Transport Canada's safety regulations while also considering environmental impact and the potential for community benefit.

Each of the three RESA options can be contained within the existing boundaries of the Marine Exclusion Zone (MEZ)— an area of the lake on either end of the runway where regular marine traffic is prohibited. As a result, there will be no change or increase in the MEZ.

EMAS was ruled out because of significant operational challenges were the system ever to be put into use and uncertainty of the materials’ effectiveness given the marine environment of Billy Bishop Airport. This system has only been out into use in southern climates and no airport in Canada has used it to date. There is concern that cold temperatures and ice build-up from wave action could compromise the system. In addition, the EMAS would not fit on the current landmass area so a land extension would still be required to accommodate.   

PortsToronto is still costing out the three RESA options. PortsToronto will pay for the RESA and not taxpayers. PortsToronto will likely pay for RESA through a combination of bank financing and an increase to the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) paid by passengers. The amount of this increase will only be known once a preferred RESA option has been determined.

RESA will not increase Billy Bishop Airport's capacity or facilitate the use of larger aircraft. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport must implement RESA in order to comply with Transport Canada’s safety regulations and RESA does not extend the usable runway. 

Once implemented, RESA will have no impact on regular operations at the airport. RESA is used only in emergencies when an aircraft underruns or overshoots the runway. 

The end of the Tripartite Agreement in 2033 does not directly impact the RESA implementation timeline, which is set for 2027. To date, PortsToronto has not received any indication from its federal, provincial or municipal partners that the airport will cease operating in 2033. Consequently, PortsToronto will continue to fulfill its mandate to run a commercially viable airport that benefits the city and its residents.

PortsToronto is committed to meeting its obligation to implement RESA within the timelines set out by Transport Canada. It does not foresee a scenario where it is unable to comply with this obligation.

Periodic project updates, including assessment reports, engagement summaries, and recordings of public consultations are available at SafeCleanQuiet.ca. A second public meeting will be held in October.

PortsToronto is dedicated to maintaining transparency and engaging in meaningful public consultation throughout the RESA project. The organization is committed to sharing information openly and inviting public feedback as key decisions are made. While one of the three RESA options must be implemented to meet regulatory requirements, the focus of public consultation will be on refining the chosen option to ensure it not only meets compliance standards but also enhances operational safety, improves efficiency, and minimizes the impact of airport operations on neighboring communities. PortsToronto will continue to involve the community in discussions about how best to achieve these goals.

This is a key consideration of the ongoing voluntary environmental assessment process PortsToronto has undertaken. The findings of this process will be made public this fall.

Yes. PortsToronto will require an extension to the existing lease which is part of the Tripartite Agreement. The duration of this extension is a matter of negotiation between PortsToronto, the City of Toronto and the federal government and will be reacquired in order to secure financing for the project.