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Toronto Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik joined Bathurst Quay residents Saturday afternoon for a walk in Little Norway Park to oppose the provincial government’s Billy Bishop airport expansion.
“We have an incredible history here of the relationship between Canada and Norway where this was the site of supporting pilots to be trained over many years,” said Malik, who is also the councillor for Ward 10 (Spadina-Fort York).
The event entitled “Our Park, Our Waterfront: Jane’s Walk 2026” sought to raise awareness about the park’s importance in the community as the Ontario government looks to possibly take over a third of the green space for the airport’s redevelopment.
In March, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced he planned to take over the City of Toronto’s stake in the island airport in order to build infrastructure that would allow jets to fly in and out, despite concerns over noise and environmental impacts.
At the time, Ford also said his government plans to give Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport special designation that would allow the province to bypass municipal and provincial laws as it pushes to expand the runway downtown.
Malik says that’s “unacceptable and untenable,” especially as she says it will bring more traffic, congestion and pollution.
“Enabling this type of overreach is something that none of us can stand for,” she said. “Little Norway park was here first.”
Toronto Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik says the expansion is “unacceptable and untenable,” especially as she says it will bring more traffic, congestion and pollution. (David Hill/CBC)
The city is looking into what legal option it has and council opposes “unilateral expropriation of city land,” Malik says.
“This local park is historic and it is at the heart of a community that supports mixed income housing, that supports 2 schools, a community centre, childcare,” she said. “It’s a type of growth and community connection that we want to see right across the city.”
Malik added the park is used for the gathering of seniors, community recreation, summer camps and dog walking. It also includes a wading pool.
“It’s a way that the community stays connected,” she said. “Most of all, it is a precious green space that we know is so important to the well-being of Torontonians, especially in a downtown community that is [in a] park deficit.”
Karen Milne says the park is part of her daily walk and she “can’t think of a reason” why the island airport requires an expansion.
“It makes no sense at all to me,” she told CBC Toronto Saturday. “There’s such [a] precious small amount of park space and they want to take it all for development.”
Laura Murphy, who lives at the Harbourfront, also says it’s “perplexing” why this is happening, especially as she hasn’t spoken to anyone who is in support of it.
“We have not enough park space already for such an increasing population in our city, which is part of what makes our city so vibrant,” she said. “We need places for people to gather.”
Holly Watson says the park is more than just a spot to hang out. For her, it holds a special meaning.
“I grew up playing in this park. My mom has a memorial tree planted in this park,” she told CBC Toronto Saturday. “It’s like the main central place in our community.”
Redevelopment would “drastically” change the neighborhood, Watson says.
“We’re not going to let that happen.”