Statement Regarding the Proposed Airport Lands Boundary Adjustment

The proposed transfer of lands surrounding the Brantford Municipal Airport has understandably generated significant public interest and concern, particularly among residents of Oakhill in and near the lands in question, and the surrounding area.

Residents have important questions about genuine public consultation with the community and with First Nations, taxation, municipal services, future development, transportation impacts, and impacts on farming operations and farmland preservation. Those questions deserve clear and accurate answers.

In recent weeks, public statements have suggested that County Council initiated this boundary adjustment, withheld information from residents, manipulated budget decisions because it knew a boundary adjustment was forthcoming, or failed to adequately represent the interests of Oakhill residents.

These are serious allegations. They deserve a factual response.

The proposed boundary adjustment was not initiated by the County of Brant.

The process began when the City of Brantford submitted a request to the Province under Section 174 of the Municipal Act seeking a review of the airport lands and potential restructuring options.

Prior to the Province becoming involved, the County had publicly expressed a willingness to review and discuss a formal proposal regarding the airport lands. 

Recommendations arising from the former Joint Services Committee included inviting the City to bring forward a proposal for County consideration. No such proposal was brought before County Council prior to the City's request for provincial intervention.

Instead, the County received official notice from the Province that a facilitated process would begin and that negotiations would proceed under provincially imposed timelines. The County did not request this process, initiate this process, or vote to begin this process.

Once the Province directed the municipalities into a facilitated process, Council faced a choice: either participate and advocate for County residents or allow decisions to be made without County representation at the table. Council chose to participate.

While residents may disagree with aspects of the proposed outcome, participation allowed the County to advocate for residents, influence discussions regarding the extent of lands proposed for transfer, and negotiate terms intended to protect County interests.

Information was released to the public as allowed by the process and directed by the Province. 

County Council operates in a highly transparent environment.

Council agendas, reports, meeting minutes, voting records and recordings of public meetings are available for residents to review. While some discussions may occur in closed session where permitted by legislation, Council decisions are ultimately ratified in open session. Council decisions are not made behind closed doors.

No capital projects in Oakhill were removed or deferred from the 2026 budget because of these negotiations. All budget meetings were public and available to view online. Capital projects are often deferred or advanced for a variety of reasons including grant funding, growth, failing infrastructure and timing of development. In fact, a major capital project is currently advancing in Oakhill, which was previously deferred because developments in the area had not proceeded as anticipated and traffic counts have just reached a threshold to justify the intersection improvements. 

In fairness to all constituents, serious allegations regarding the conduct of Council or staff deserve facts, not speculation. They deserve evidence, not assumptions. 

The issues facing our community are too important to be reduced to misinformation, assumptions or unsupported allegations.

As this process continues, we encourage residents to stay engaged, ask questions, participate in public consultations and review the information available to them.

Please visit the Let’s Talk Brantford website at www.letstalkbrantford.ca/airport for more information, answers to frequently asked questions, and an opportunity to provide comments or ask questions. 

Two public open houses will also be taking place:

Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Times: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course, 320 Balmoral Drive, Brantford

As previously communicated, while we are disappointed with how this situation was initiated, County of Brant Council and staff remain committed to advocating for the needs of our residents to the fullest extent possible within the parameters available to us