Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has filed an urgent motion with city council demanding the Ontario government return land on the Toronto Islands that was recently expropriated through provincial legislation.
The move follows a federal decision to block the expansion of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, effectively halting the development project that prompted the land seizure.
Chow is seeking to restore the city's standing in the tripartite agreement governing the airport, arguing that the province's actions undermine municipal authority and the original governance framework.
The dispute centers on the future of the Toronto Islands, a popular recreational area and home to the city's secondary airport.
The Ontario government's expropriation was part of a broader push to facilitate the airport expansion, which faced significant opposition from environmental groups and local residents concerned about noise and ecological impact.
With the federal government intervening to stop the expansion, the legal and political basis for the land transfer has been called into question by city officials.