Ontario's Premier Accountability Dashboard · Queen's Park Watch
Steven MacKinnon
Federal Minister of Transport in the Carney government. MacKinnon has stated that any changes to Billy Bishop Airport's operations will "require the consensus of all signatories to the tripartite agreement" — Canada, the City of Toronto, and the Toronto Port Authority — meaning Ontario's unilateral legislation does not and cannot authorize jet service without federal approval. Aviation is federal jurisdiction under Canada's constitution.
Connected Scandals
Doug Ford's government introduced Bill 110 to seize all of Little Norway Park — a children's playground and waterfront green space beside two schools and a daycare — to expand Billy Bishop Airport into a jet hub, with no plan, no environmental assessment, and no guarantee the park won't become a parking lot.
MacKinnon made clear that federal approval is required for any changes to Billy Bishop's operations under the 1983 tripartite agreement, directly countering Ford's narrative that the province can unilaterally enable jet service. His position means Bill 110 can seize city land but cannot authorize jets without Transport Canada's consent.