Pearson LIFT announcement on modernization project

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]And Lyft is about building that capacity and enabling so much more on our 4,000 acres, land equivalent to the size of the biggest and busiest airports in the world. The future is very bright and our 52,000 workers will expand to 68,000 jobs over that term as well. At a time where good jobs, stable jobs are very important to the country and locally. to the 400 companies here at Pearson, to our partner airlines, over 50 of them, to the government of Canada, our partner agencies like Katza, NAV Canada, and to the province and the cities around us. I thank each and every one of you partners and each especially of our employees directly that work for Toronto Pearson and GTA and all of the partners that join hands and work beside us in our rooms in our conference rooms across the facilities. Thank you for your endless work and commitment. I know we can't emphasize enough the holiday seasons, the days, the nights, the work that have gone into the proper preparation, the proper analysis, the planning, and of course the partnership guided by strong principles of working together and delivering these successful mega projects, the first of which we're here to break ground on today. Thank you. And I know that all will do what is necessary not just to get for for this moment but most especially to deliver the project successfully in the years ahead. We think big, we prepare and now we do it. It is my pleasure to invite Don Kennedy, our new board chair, to join me up on stage. I know that Don is one of the people in here that definitely sees the beauty in airfields.

[00:01:50]He also sees a beauty in spreadsheets as he is a aviation and finance industry veteran and he has been a valued member of our board for the past six years.

[00:01:59]Please welcome Don Kennedy.

[00:02:10]Thank you. Excuse me. Thank you de Deborah. It's my privilege to say a few words on behalf of the board of directors. I first wish to thank all of our airline and airport partners as well as the many government and community organizations surrounding the airport for their extensive engagement with the Pearson team in developing the Lyft program and getting us to this exciting moment today.

[00:02:36]I would also like to thank my fellow board members for their contributions during a period of intense preparation and establishing a clear sense of purpose. I invite the board members in attendance today to stand up.

[00:03:02]I especially want to recognize Doug Alingham, our immediate past board chair for seven years. Doug has provided thoughtful and diligent leadership to the board. His commitment to our passengers, our partners, and the public good has helped ensure that Toronto Pearson enters this next phase resilient and financially strong. Thank you, Doug.

[00:03:33]As a board, our role is to provide governance and oversight while ensuring we are unlocking the long-term value from this very important national asset.

[00:03:44]As the financial and aviation executive, it is clear to me that the critical investments being made will not only increase and modernize the airport's capacity, but will its important role success.

[00:04:03]On behalf of the board, my congratulations to Deborah Flint and employees for their bold vision for Lyft.

[00:04:15]This team has done the hard and necessary work of detailed planning, aligning the needs of our partners and stakeholders while strengthening the Pearson organization so that today we can move forward with confidence.

[00:04:31]Today we mark the transition from preparation to construction and we do so together. Thank you.

[00:04:47]Thank you, Don. And now it's my pleasure to introduce the president of the Treasury Board of Canada, Ministercat Ali, who represents a writing right here in our own backyard, one of Pearson's neighboring communities. His local perspective combined with his federal leadership is especially meaningful today as we mark the milestone. Please welcome Minister Elliu.

[00:05:18]Uh hello everyone. Good morning. Bonjjo Tulma.

[00:05:22]My name is Shafkat Ali. I'm the member of parliament for Bmpton Chinkuzi Park and president of the Shergy Board of Canada.

[00:05:30]It is great to be join joined by my colleague Ali Assassi MP and also uh provincial minister per P permit sir and Bmpton mayor Patrick Brown deputy mayors from Toronto uh airport and I also like to recognize those from Toronto Pier Pearson team president and CEO Deborah Deborah Flint, your leadership is amazing. Please give a round of applause for her.

[00:06:08]Chief Information Officer Bill and team the team from MCO including President Dominic Mco.

[00:06:18]It is pleasure to be here today at Toronto Pearson International Airport to mark the launch of Pearson Lyft, one of the largest airport infrastructure programs in Canadian history.

[00:06:32]And I want to thank Pearson, Toronto Pearson and his partners for making this vision a reality.

[00:06:40]I also want to thank our provincial and municipal counterparts for their support and collaboration.

[00:06:47]Airports are important infrastructure in our modern economy.

[00:06:52]They connect people, enable trade and support growth across the country.

[00:06:59]That's why today matters.

[00:07:03]Toronto Pearson is a major engine of Canada's economy.

[00:07:08]This investment will help modernize infrastructure and improve operations.

[00:07:14]It will also expand passengers facilities and help lead Canada's aviation sector on the global stage.

[00:07:23]As the world as the world changes, as a global in the time of global instability, the global competition increases.

[00:07:36]We must ensure that our infrastructure continues to meet the moment.

[00:07:42]Your government under the leadership of Prime Minister Marani understand the importance of investments like these.

[00:07:51]Investments that creates good paying jobs for Canadians, strengthen supply chain, boost tourism, and help us build the strongest economy in the G7.

[00:08:06]Our recent spring economic update builds on this work.

[00:08:11]We put forward our government's plan to build Canada strong for all. And part of that plan is ensuring the air travel system works better for all Canadians.

[00:08:24]Our government announced that we are taking action to make the air travel system faster, transparent, and more accountable.

[00:08:34]We're eliminating the backlog of air passenger complaints and strengthening enforcement, including fines of up to $1 million to repeated violations of air passenger protection regulations.

[00:08:50]Building a modern air travel system is about more than infrastructure. It's about delivering a better experience for travelers.

[00:09:01]It is about building Canada strong and that's why today today's launch is about. I'm very proud proud to see Pearson Airport become one of the most advanced, sustainable and efficient airports in the world. So we work together to build better future for all Canadians. I want to thank I want to thank you all for your dedication towards building Canada strong. Thank you Messiuku and thank you Minister Ali. I would now like to introduce Ontario's Minister of Transportation Prait Zakaria who also represents a writing here in Bmpton. As an airport, we know aviation and provincial transportation is deeply connected and Minister Zakaria has been a valued partner in strengthening the systems that support both. Please welcome Minister Sakaria.

[00:10:19]Well, good morning everyone and uh thank you Karen for the introduction. Um a pleasure to be here with all of you.

[00:10:26]I'll start by acknowledging Deborah.

[00:10:27]Congratulations on this uh historic milestone. Uh I think as a country we are so fortunate and lucky to have someone of your caliber here supporting this long-term vision not only for Pearson uh but someone who has the experience from LA uh doing transfer pro transformational projects like this uh to be leading this here today. We're so grateful for that and we're excited to be here uh to recognize that and honor that uh going forward today as well. Uh Minister Ali, thank you for your remarks. Always a pleasure to work with all three levels of government, Mayor Brown, who has been a champion for this airport and many of those who uh uh who work here. Uh so, thank you for all your support and uh Deputy Mayor Mley as well and the entire board. Uh Andrew is here as a provincial uh representative, but uh to the chair, uh Doug and the entire team, we're so thankful for all of your work, all the time that you put forward on this project to get it to where it is. uh today. So, thank you for your leadership, thank you for your support, and we look forward uh to working with you as we continue to recognize and celebrate this major milestone today.

[00:11:38]You know, the airport is one of the most important uh pieces of infrastructure, not just for Ontario, but for this country. It connects businesses to global markets. It keeps supply chains moving, and it helps move millions of people, millions of people every single year. And I think Deborah, you mentioned it in your remarks from a cargo perspective. I think a lot of the passengers when we're flying in and out of this airport, we don't appreciate or recognize the impact the cargo uh perspective from this airport. It moves goods across this province. It's a global economic hub, not only for this uh country, but for the businesses um that survive off it. So we should appreciate and recognize the significant uh uh economic output that comes from the cargo as well as the uh tourism aspect. Uh I think it's over $20 billion of economic output a year that Pearson drives through both its passengers and cargos. And that tells you how significant of a project and how significant of a milestone today will be to continue securing this for the future.

[00:12:44]And that's why Pearson's lift program is so important. It's a huge step forward to modernize and expand a cornerstone of Ontario and Canada's transportation system. It means upgraded infrastructure, improved passenger experiences, expanded capacity, and the ability to support Ontario's growth for decades to come. And at a time when we face unprecedented threats of tariffs and economic uncertainty, building a more self-reliant and competitive economy is exactly what we need to do.

[00:13:19]Projects like this one at Pearson send a clear message that Ontario is continuing to build, continuing to grow, and continuing to compete. A project that will create thousands of goodaying jobs already supported here and growth through our construction project, strengthening trade and helping to keep Ontario competitive in a increasingly challenging global economy. Our government is proud to support Pearson's expansion as we continue to deliver the largest transportation investment in Canada's history, investing over a hundred billion dollars to build transportation infrastructure across this province. We will always stand behind projects like this that protect Ontario's economy. So once again, congratulations to all of those involved. Deb, your team, Karen, thank you so much for your leadership. It's a pleasure to be here to mark this historic milestone. Thank you.

[00:14:24]>> Thank you, Minister Zakaria. I would now like to uh welcome to the stage his worship, Mayor Patrick Brown of the city of Bmpton. It's fair to say that Bmpton has shown up in a big way today. Um and that's no surprise. It's one of the fastest growing cities in Canada and many major employers are located right here in the Pearson economic zone. So, we really value the strong partnership of the city of Bmpton across this increasingly important economic engine and we appreciate Mayor Brown's leadership and continued to support.

[00:14:59]Please join me in welcoming Mayor Brown.

[00:15:07]Well, thank you Karen and it's an honor to be here and just like Pra said so eloquently, I want to congratulate Deborah and her team. I think we've got as it says the best airport in the world, but we have the best CEO in the world too. You know the sector upside down. So uh you're making things happen and it's it's not lost on us that we've got a CEO's determined to ensure progress happens in this critical sector. Um to our treasury board president um the shaftali represents a BMPon riding and I'm a little bit biased but I know you've got a national responsibility as treasury board president and every weekend you're back here asking what can we do locally what can we support I know you're a huge champion of Pearson thank you for what you do and prob the person who's responsible for GO trains LRTs tunnels supporting airports uh you're a transformative minister we're lucky to have you in Ontario as our transport minister and having Pearson in your backyard I think is serendipitous so you understand how it's all linked uh together and of course on our regional council I'm here um uh with my colleagues from the region appeal and of course Muhammad Lashmi represents the region appeal when you're not building medical schools you're supporting this sector thank you uh Muhammad I know councelor Kovc is a huge supporter of what you do as well uh I wanted to say this isn't just the busiest airport it's a cornerstone stone to our national economy and a key driver of growth across the GTA. And sometimes you don't necessarily appreciate what's in your own backyard. Um, and I was away with my children recently and my wife for March break and I went into another airport. I won't say the airport, but it was chaos.

[00:16:51]And I texted Deborah and I said, "I'm so we're so lucky we have Pearson because it really is it is a um a level above um the disorganization that we see elsewhere." Um I know airports are busy and with that comes a little bit of chaos, but you handle it so well here and we're proud of Pearson. We're proud of this team. This is an incredible airport and this project is so important. This isn't just the gateway to the world. It's the gateway to opportunity for residents in the GTA. I can tell you nearly 10,000 BMPonians work right here at Pearson. These are good jobs. They're great jobs that strengthen the community and support families. And there's a strong connection between this airport um and our local economy. I know from a Bmpton perspective, uh Pearson spends approximately 95 million each year on goods and services. If you look at the numbers in Missaga and Toronto and Vaughn, there's a huge um there's a huge spillover effect of the economic development that occurs here at Pearson.

[00:17:56]Bmpton is proud to be a central part in the Pearson economic zone. Not only have we contributed the Treasury Board President from Bmpton and the transformation transportation minister from Bmpton, um but I know so many of our businesses are in interconnected for thousands of our residents. The Pearson Economic Zone is where they work, grow their careers, and build their futures.

[00:18:18]And Toronto Pearson is the at the heart of that activity. That's why we're so excited about the Lyft program and why it's so significant for this region.

[00:18:27]This isn't just about long-term infrastructure. It's about opportunity that starts now. As construction gets underway, we know this program will create new jobs, drive skill development, and open the door for local businesses to participate in procurement opportunities.

[00:18:44]This means more pathways into the workforce, more opportunities for our businesses, and more economic momentum for the entire region. It means strengthening our our region's ability to compete globally. Investments like this ensure Toronto Pearson remains a world-class airport, efficient, innovative, and ready for the future. So today, we celebrate more than a a groundbreaking. We celebrate partnerships, progress, and shared prosperity. So on behalf of my residents, I want to say congratulations to Deborah on and her team. We are proud to stand with you, proud to support this initiative. We can't wait to see it come to life. Congratulations on this special day.

[00:19:31]Thank you, Mayor Brown. I I'm going to introduce one of the guys that is really going to build this thing. But before I do that, Dominique, I'd like to say just a couple of words about our program and the people here gathered for this important event.

[00:19:51]I'm Bill Fullerton, chief infrastructure, chief infrastructure officer at Toronto Pearson.

[00:19:58]Through Pearson Lyft, we're delivering worldclass infrastructure with a world-class team.

[00:20:03]This decadel long transformation begins with an initial three billion plus investment which will renew our airfield and launch restoration and performance upgrades to the baggage system improving airfield flow, baggage efficiency and the overall passenger journey.

[00:20:22]These critical improvements take place in an operational environment.

[00:20:26]And I'd like to pause there and have you envision this for a second.

[00:20:32]We're taking down the busiest uh runway in Canada, one of the most important in the North American system and we're doing it while operating an airport around that. Today we are just beginning the site preparations for the field electrical centers which will provide the energy distribution to run the new AGL instrumentation and other uh electrical features of the of the runway.

[00:21:03]But not too far from now towards the end of next year, we'll be able to watch a night landing from the tower. I hope with the controllers from Nav Canada. Brand new lighting system, land, brand new approach system, brand new instrumentation, and a runway rebuilt from the subbase all the way to the wearing surface of the pavement.

[00:21:30]You don't have to have jet A in your blood to think that that's a pretty cool thing.

[00:21:38]But I want to mention one thing that is not going to be visible from that tower for the first landing coming in below the ground.

[00:21:49]We're building an underground storm water reservoir big enough to fit and to fill 15 Olympic size swimming pools.

[00:21:58]Those are the 50 meter ones, right?

[00:22:01]Connected by 2 and a half kilometers of pipes wide enough to drive a bus. Okay, a small bus.

[00:22:08]And all constructed beneath the runway and beneath the hard stands in what we call the Boeing lands.

[00:22:16]Fortunately, we have brought together the right team to do this job.

[00:22:21]The baggage handling system begins with Vanderland, represented today by Maria Ron Hooven, vice president for project execution, while the airfield renewal program will be delivered by the Person Pearson Accelerator Construction Team, Pacted for short. PAC brings together the very best of Canadian businesses and global airport experience including Ken Aid and contracting Alberichi constructure constructors AMO MA major projects and Obia Canada supported by a worldclass design joint venture. We have several members of the pack team here today including Shan Thibo vice president Alberichi Canada John Gfredo CEO of Can Canadian Nito Nakamura senior executive vice president of Obashi along with our next speaker nominee for this project we're using a collaborative model called progressive design build it brings designers builders and operators together from day one helping us make better decisions control costs costs deliver faster so that we can add capacity sooner and support the airport's growth.

[00:23:33]My thanks to everyone who works so hard to get us here today. And I'd like to take one m more moment just to remind you of where you are. Right. This is this this is the airfield operations and maintenance center. This is the home of the best team on earth as far as I'm concerned. particularly when the snow comes through these bays rose all the rolls all that snow removal equipment um maintained by maintenance operated by the operations team there isn't that's a dream team there isn't a better team and if you've not seen the YouTube video please look at it and you'll understand what I mean we want the same team on the capital delivery program the same team between GTAa Impact contractors and designers and With that in mind, I'd like to welcome Dominique Amikone, founder and president of Amo, to say a word, a few words on behalf of PAC. Thank you.

[00:24:38]Wow. Good morning, everyone.

[00:24:41]It's hard. It's difficult to follow such eloquent speakers as I have the opportunity this morning, but thank you for the honor of being here.

[00:24:50]It's truly an honor to bring a few comments and remarks on behalf of Pearson Accelerator Construction Team and more commonly referred to as packed as we've heard and to congratulate Deborah Flint. Amazing milestone, amazing accomplishment for you and your team. Congratulations.

[00:25:06]This event is built as a groundbreaking, which is of course a standard ceremonial activity that occurs at the launch of a lot of these infrastructure investments.

[00:25:16]It's an official declaration that we're getting underway. We're actually getting into the nitty-gritty of the project. As much as I've had the honor to attend several of these, this groundbreaking ceremonies is well better described as groundbreaking.

[00:25:34]It sets into motion and is groundbreaking in its vision, in its audacity of its scale and long-term impacts, not only for the traveling public, but also on the vast economic activity it will create for the surrounding area. I'll come back to that theme in just a moment.

[00:25:53]It's groundbreaking in terms of the partnerships that have brought us here today. The successful merger of different corporate cultures from all stakeholders into a progressive design build model of contracting that integrates thousands of brilliant and dedicated individuals from across Ontario and internationally.

[00:26:16]The progressive design build model also is groundbreaking in the way that it aligns partners in performance and delivery.

[00:26:25]In doing so, it better enables us to collaborate as partners. It better enables us to address risk. It better enables us to meet the project timelines and objectives.

[00:26:39]It it also is groundbreaking in its opportunity to create meaningful skill development, career growth, and expansion of the workforce intelligence.

[00:26:54]The knowledge and experience we will all gain from this project will fuel future undertakings for not only Ontario but the greater Canada as we continue to grow and prosper.

[00:27:07]And certainly not in the least, it's groundbreaking in the technology we plan to engage and leverage during new construction to build this expansion better, faster, smarter with certainty of delivery despite the scale that it encompasses.

[00:27:25]All of this I needn't remind you and and it was referred to earlier in the midst of the framework of an active fully functioning international airport.

[00:27:35]That's groundbreaking in and of itself.

[00:27:39]History tells us how important this project is. In times past, great economic centers were traditionally built at the confluence of rivers and tributaries. Think London, Luxembourg, Belgrade, think Paris, Bangkok.

[00:27:56]The point is that rivers were the central element that allowed worldchanging cultures and economies to flourish.

[00:28:05]They were essential connective tissue that bound regional and global communities to come together and fueled exchanges of ideas and influences.

[00:28:16]But as strategically critical as those rivers and tributaries were to the location of cities, they pale in comparison to this thousand stream nexus that centers itself on this major airport hub.

[00:28:33]If great cities and economies of the past relied on strategic river locations, today they depend on the connective tissue within the airport and air transportation.

[00:28:45]Think of the businesses that reside in the Pearson economic zone, for instance, one of the country's most important economic regions.

[00:28:55]That is the strategic lens through which we view this undertaking.

[00:29:00]This airport is an essential crossroads that connects us to the world, its cultures, and its opportunities. We know that Pearson has earned a number of accolades for operational e excellence.

[00:29:15]Today, we're here to in to maintain and to reaffirm that commitment and celebrate Ontario and Canada's investment in economic resilience and aviation leadership.

[00:29:31]As a company that was born and bred in Ontario and fully Canadian-owned, AMO understands that local involvement drives growth. Local investment amplifies economic activity and drives growth amongst new talent and human resources. It provides important opportunities for senior team individuals to hone their skills, enter, learn and grow. Through Pearson Lyft, Pacted is actively creating good local jobs, supporting local businesses, supply chains, and helping build a stronger, more inclusive economy for Ontario and Canada. We know that local contractors bring essential regional knowledge that improves efficiency, safety, and constructability. Through this project, we collectively support apprenticeships, skilled development, small and diverse businesses, long-term careers in the skilled trades. We are excited to be able to deliver on that.

[00:30:36]By keeping investment local, we ensure that Pearson Lyft generates lasting and sustainable benefits to the entire region.

[00:30:44]I'll close on a personal note by thanking our partners in the packed construction team Canadian Alberesi Obashi and our design partners Aegis Mdonald WSP and WW plusp for their commitment to delivering the project on time and on budget with a keen yes on time and on budget with a keen sense of quality and safety.

[00:31:14]The resources, international experience, and intellectual value you all bring as partners are nothing short of inspirational.

[00:31:23]I also want to thank again Deborah Flint and the entire team with GTAa for entrusting us with this ambitious contract.

[00:31:34]The collaborative approach you have endorsed sets a new benchmark for major infrastructure de deliver delivery in Canada. We take our responsibility seriously.

[00:31:46]We will work collaboratively with a legacy that will benefit all stakeholders.

[00:31:51]As always, we're eager to accept bold challenges that reinforce and exemplify our motto never stop building. It's an honor. Thank you very much.

[00:32:09]Well, thank you, Dominic and Bill. Um, and now let's go make history with the ceremonial first dig marking the official launch of Pearson Lyft. Um, this groundbreaking is more than the start of construction. It marks the beginning of a new era at Pearson. And there's many more exciting milestones to come and are still ahead. So, I invite you to exit through the doors to my left to um see the first dig. We ask that the first few rows exit first. Um we'll take a few moments to set up outside. So, if some of you want to please feel free to grab some refreshments over here as well, and I'll see you out on the tarmac. Thank you.

[00:33:06]We got our magic.

[00:33:23]All right.

[00:33:50]Now,