Airport expansion goes before municipal board

Hearings surrounding the contentious plan to expand industrial development around Hamilton International Airport enter their second stage on Monday.

The hearing is before the Ontario Municipal Board.

The project, officially known as the Airport Employment Growth District, would see Hamilton’s urban boundary for industrial development grow by 1,800 hectares around the airport.

The city says the plan would generate a minimum of $50 million a year in taxes, and create job opportunities.

Opponents of the plan say it’s unnecessary economically, and will be harmful to the environment.