History
For more than 100 years, PortsToronto has played an essential role in building the waterfront and shaping Toronto into the vibrant city it is today – as a city builder, an innovator, a connector, a protector, a collaborator and an economic driver.
In 1911, our predecessor the Toronto Harbour Commissioners was formed to address the challenges and opportunities of the waterfront. The Toronto Harbour Commissioners was a joint federal-municipal agency responsible for the Toronto Harbour and the city’s waterfront. It was under the Harbour Commissioners that Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was constructed.
The Canada Marine Act originally established the Toronto Port Authority (now PortsToronto) on June 8, 1999, as part of a broad initiative of the federal government to modernize the administration and operation of ports. The Toronto Port Authority (TPA)’s role was to operate the harbour and the airport.
Addressing the challenges and opportunities of the waterfront remains our guiding principle, as we operate Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, the marine Port of Toronto, the Outer Harbour Marina, and our real estate and property holdings on Toronto’s waterfront.
Our vision, Transportation Reimagined, calls for transformative change, reflective of our determination to support and enhance the economy, protect the environment and preserve a high quality of life across our region.
Timeline
Fort Toronto trading port established. Operates until 1760.
Town of York founded. Province begins governing port.
Board of Trade begins campaign for a Harbour Trust to have jurisdiction over the harbour area.
Five Harbour Commissioners appointed to manage the harbour; begins a period of divided ownership and control of harbour with Commission, City, railroad and other private owners.
Waterfront Esplanade completed.
Breakwater constructed to protect Toronto Island.
Toronto Harbour Commissioners Act passed by Federal Government.
Toronto Harbour Commissioners (THC) present overall plan for the waterfront. Old piers cleared, waterlots filled creating the current harbour profile, Toronto Islands expanded, eastern Portlands created with fill, and breaches developed east and west of the harbour.
THC enlarges the Toronto Islands to create recreational space for Torontonians.
Toronto Harbour Commissioners builds the Quays that extend into the Toronto Bay, now known as Corus Quay (1959), HTO Park Quay, Eireann (formerly Bathurst) Quay (early 1920s), and others.
THC completes construction of 60 Harbour Street.
THC completes construction of Sunnyside Park and amusement park.
THC completes construction of Toronto’s first civil air harbor and commercial seaplane base.
THC completes the Ship Channel Bridge.
Construction begins on Malton and Toronto Islands Airports. Now Toronto Pearson International and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airports.
THC completes construction on Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport – airport opens to the public.
St. Lawrence Seaway opens.
THC begins creation of the Leslie Street Spit.
New 4,000 foot runway opens at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Commissioners take over operation of marine terminals
Toronto Port Police formed.
East gap becomes new port entrance.
Toronto Port and Harbour Police merge with Metropolitan Police.
THC, City and Federal Government sign Tripartite Agreement governing Toronto City Centre (formerly Toronto Island) Airport.
Intermodal operation initiated at Marine Terminal 35.
Opening of the Outer Harbour Marina.
THC cedes 640 acres of waterfront land to the City of Toronto and TEDCO
Canada Marine Act comes into effect on June 11, 1998 and establishes the Toronto Port Authority (TPA).
Toronto Harbour Commissioners transitions to the TPA under the Canada Port Authority.
Toronto-Rochester fast ferry service.
International Marine Passenger Terminal opens.
Porter Airlines begins flying out of Toronto City Centre Airport (Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport).
Toronto City Centre Airport becomes Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA).
Air Canada begins flying out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Toronto Port Authority celebrates centenary.
Toronto Port Authority begins construction of pedestrian tunnel to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Toronto Port Authority celebrates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s 75th anniversary and the Outer Harbour Marina’s 25th anniversary.
Toronto Port Authority rebrands as PortsToronto.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport opens its pedestrian tunnel, providing a fixed link between Toronto’s mainland and the island airport.
PortsToronto officially opened its Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE) facility –a three-sided, open-top facility designed to dampen the noise associated with high-power aircraft engine ground run-up operations at the airport.
PortsToronto officially completes the Billy Bishop Airfield Rehabilitation Program – a significant three-year rehabilitation initiative that included the reconstruction of runways and taxiways, the installation of new energy efficient LED lighting, in addition to the construction of the Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE).
Billy Bishop Airport celebrates its 80th anniversary.
PortsToronto launches Trash Trapping Program in partnership with University of Toronto Trash Team using Seabin trash trapping devices to capture floating debris in the Toronto Harbour and collect data to help inform upstream solutions.
Marilyn Bell becomes first electric zero-emission ferry in Canada.
US CBP Preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport announced and expected to be operational in 2025.
PortsToronto Trash Trapping Program launches Canadian debut of WasteShark Aquadrone in Toronto Harbour.
Record cruise ship arrivals at the Port of Toronto Cruise Ship Terminal with 45 ships and 18,000 passengers from Viking, Hapag-Lloyd, Ponant, Plantours, American Queen and Pearl Seas lines.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport celebrates 85th anniversary.