{
  "id": 9170624,
  "title": "Ottawa’s plan for private airport investment likely to drive up costs: NDP leader",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ottawas-plan-for-private-airport-investment-likely-to-drive-up-costs",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T16:23:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/09/22/ottawas-plan-for-private-airport-investment-likely-to-drive-up-costs-ndps-lewis/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NDP Leader Avi Lewis has criticized the government's plan to privatize the operations of Canada's four largest airports, calling it \"disingenuous.\" The government's proposal, presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto on September 15th, aims to free up more funds for smaller airports, thereby reducing costs for travelers. However, Lewis argues that the plan will likely result in higher traveller fees at major airports in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver.\n\nLewis emphasized that the government's plan constitutes a form of privatization because it involves transferring control of public assets to investor ownership for decades. He compared the situation to the Ontario government's sale of Highway 407, a 99-year lease that has generated significant revenue for the province and increased tolls for drivers, while retaining public ownership of the land and infrastructure.\n\nUnifor's aviation council chair and Air Canada worker, Tammy Moore, expressed concerns among union members about potential job insecurity and increased precarious contract employment under private operators. She highlighted the trend of private investors cutting staffing and raising fees at airports globally, ultimately burdening travelers and workers with increased costs.\n\nIn contrast, the federal government maintains that it will retain ownership of the land and that the airports will continue to adhere to the same safety regulations. NDP transport critic Heather McPherson criticized the government for already earning $525 million annually from airport operations and suggested that this revenue could be redirected back into regional hubs. She called for an emergency debate in the House of Commons on Monday, but the proposal was voted down.",
  "summary": "OTTAWA — NDP Leader Avi Lewis says it's \"disingenuous\" for the government not to use the word privatization to describe its plan to have investors take over operations of Canada's four biggest airports.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}