If new revenue-generating ideas are authorized by municipal authorities, passengers traveling through Toronto’s Pearson International Airport may soon be able to purchase cannabis and even play casino-style slot machines inside the airport.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has disclosed some of the methods it expects to increase its revenue to Ontario’s Office of the Integrity Commissioner, and it has hired a lobbyist to try and get clearance for urgently needed new revenue-generating opportunities.
Clare Michaels, a lobbyist, said she wants to schedule meetings with government representatives to discuss a number of fundamental concerns affecting the airport as well as non-aviation-related businesses including restaurants, dispensaries, and casinos.
Michaels wants to schedule meetings to talk about the potential for cannabis retail stores at the airport, different gaming opportunities, and the potential for extended beverage and alcoholic service at Toronto Pearson.
With the full legalization of cannabis for recreational use throughout all of its provinces and territories in 2018, Canada is now the second-only nation to do so.
As a result, there should be no issue with travelers purchasing Cannabis and having it in their possession when traveling domestically, unlike in the United States where cannabis use is still prohibited on a federal level.
However, Air Canada cautions passengers that since flights occasionally have to detour to the United States, this might be a risky business.
Don’t bring it in. is another campaign run by the Canadian Border and Services Agency. There is a “Don’t take it out” rule for overseas travelers.
The GTAA has declined to comment on the specifics of its new revenue-generating plans, but a spokesperson told CBC: “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.”
The COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant financial impact on Toronto Pearson, and ongoing travel restrictions continue to harm Canada’s tourism sector.
