Canada Announces Plans to Open Major Airports to Private Stakeholders Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced that the federal government will begin a process to allow private investment in Canada's four largest airports. The policy aims to modernize infrastructure and attract capital while retaining public ownership. Cabinet officials will release details tomorrow, amid mixed reactions from industry, workers and investors. The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announced plans to open its largest airports to private investment. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon briefed members of the Liberal caucus on Monday night, during a late‑day call that will be followed by a public unveiling on Tuesday. The briefing focused on the modernization of Canada's four major international airports, and indicated that the next step will be to create a framework that allows private capital to acquire stakes in these facilities. MacKinnon explained that the government's approach is grounded in a budget‑level commitment made in 2025 to "consider options for the privatization of airports." He underscored that the process will be transparent, and that the government will publish more details tomorrow. A source with a private‑sector interest in aviation confirmed that the government plans to begin the opening process on Tuesday morning, though the source declined to comment further. The announcement comes after a recent field‑study of Australia's model, in which the state retains ownership while private firms manage day‑to‑day operations.The Canadian Labour Congress has opposed the move, warning that airport privatization could undermine workers' rights and public accountability. Their report, released the previous Friday, presented economic arguments against opening airports to private investors.Meanwhile, a survey commissioned by Australian asset manager IFM Investors found that 79 percent of Canadians view additional airport investment as important or needed. This sentiment is shared by several pension‑fund investors who are ready to invest if the airports become open to private capital. In total, over 850 airports worldwide now involve some form of private‑sector participation, with Europe leading the way at 75 percent of global air traffic. North America, by contrast, has only 1 percent.The Canadian government is exploring how best to adapt a model that preserves public ownership while encouraging the expertise and capital that private partners can bring. More details on the next steps will be released Tuesday, but the government's strategy is sound: enact legislation that grants authorities greater access to airports' financial data, structure a partial sale of shares in the largest international hubs, and maintain regulatory oversight to protect public interest.This approach could lead to a modern, efficient airport network that is better equipped to handle the demands of Canadian air traffic while keeping the profits and strategic control firmly in public hands.