Ford escalates dispute over Toronto Island airport and rail project

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is intensifying a dispute with the federal government after Ottawa said it would not support plans to expand Toronto’s island airport. The province has also warned it could withdraw support for a proposed federal highspeed rail line as the disagreement grows. The clash now involves Ford, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and residents who opposed the airport expansion. Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Ottawa would avoid projects that affect treasured public spaces, while Ford’s government accused the federal side of siding with opponents of the plan. Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province still intends to pursue the airport expansion and does not plan to repeal the legislation tied to the project. Chow said the federal decision is final and argued that local residents have already made their position clear.