Ontario, Canada’s Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is looking at diversifying its sources of revenue. One of the possible sources it is looking at is gaming at Pearson Airport.
It has hired a lobbyist to talk to government officials about that, and also about the possibilities of retail cannabis. The GTAA issued a statement on August 17 saying it has no plans to do either—but that could change. “As a private, not-for-profit, non-share capital corporation with revenues closely tied to passenger traffic, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority continues to look at options to diversify its revenue sources and provide a world-class passenger experience, competitive with other international airports,” said the statement.
It has participated in consultations with the provincial government on the subject, but so far nothing has resulted.
According to a report by the Toronto Star, the authority has hired lobbyist Clare Michaels of Navigator Ltd. Michaels previously was employed in the office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford. In Canada, lobbyists post their lobbying goals online. Michael’s posted goal is discussions with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Ontario Cannabis Store about cannabis and gaming opportunities at the airport.
The airport released a statement August 10 saying that its operating activity continues to remain below levels before the pandemic and that it can’t predict when they will return.
