YQNA has existed for 22 years and is right now in jeopardy. It started with three residents having coffee at a Starbucks, when the Waterfront was quite unattractive and facing major developments. We were new to the area and wanted a say in the future, so we decided to start a neighbourhood association.
The timing was right. We soon attracted residents to YQNA and had plenty of volunteers. They were active in major decisions about buildings, parks and the design of Queens Quay. We all learned from working closely with politicians, planners, developers, Waterfront Toronto, the Waterfront BIA, Harbourfront Centre, the media and many other civic organizations. We watched the Waterfront grow, and many friendships were formed.
Why is this history important now? YQNA appears to have reached an impasse in active membership. People attend our meetings and are clearly interested in our neighbourhood, but hardly any volunteer. At this point, we really need more people to participate or YQNA could fold.
Our wonderful Chair Angelo Bertolas resigned after 7 years, and we are still looking for two co-chairs to replace him. They will take turns chairing our 5 public meetings each year, and talk to media when needed. We also need volunteers to meet every two months with Toronto Police 52 Division; the parks designers at Waterfront Toronto; a support group for Harbourfront Centre and FoSTRA (a coalition of downtown neighbourhood associations). A secretary is needed to create minutes of our public meetings helped by AI. These tasks are interesting and do not require much time. No expertise is needed, just an open mind.
If we want to keep YQNA alive, I urge you to pitch in. YQNA has a great track record and is respected by our many collaborators. Those interested in volunteering or getting more information, click here.
Ulla Colgrass
Planning Committee Chair
YQNA
YQNA had its first in-person meeting on Nov. 12 since Covid and drew a big crowd (read the minutes or see on YouTube). For years, we have met on Zoom, but thanks to the generosity of Harbourfront Centre we met in their Lakeview Terrace. We looked forward to meeting their new CEO Cathy Loblaw. She spoke about fresh initiatives, such as the return of a skating rink and the installation of KidSpark exhibit on loan from the Science Centre. We were impressed by Loblaw’s energy and optimism.
City Councillor Ausma Malik spoke about her efforts to get a new skating rink in place at Harbourfront this winter. She is also helping residents to establish a liaison committee with Harbourfront Centre’s staff. Malik reported on the City Council’s vote to approve the smallest RESA extensions to the runways at the Island Airport — not a happy outcome for Ports Toronto, which aimed for much larger RESAs with big lakefill. They did get a 12-year extension to the Tripartite lease of the airport land though.
The YQNA meeting, chaired by Interim Chair Ryan Singh, had a full agenda, including a surprise performance from Second City by actor Gavin Pounds as a hilarious motivational speaker. We are offered 15% discount on tickets Tue-Wed-Thu at their 1 York Street stage until Dec. 31 by using code: YQNA15.
MPP Chris Glover agonized over the 234,000 homeless living rough in our Province and their need for housing. New details were revealed in the contract that the provincial government signed with Therme, the Austrian spa company taking over Ontario Place land. If their business fails, they can sell the lease to anyone with two months’ notice, an outlandish condition in Glover’s view.
Police Constables Barry Bates and Pankaj Kasturi from the Waterfront Neighbourhood Community Program said they were gearing up for the Taylor Swift influx and reported on the growing traffic of cars, e-bikes and motorized devices. Theft is likely to become more common in convenience stores selling alcohol. Issues of concern can be directed to the community constables.
YQNA’s annual general meeting took place under Ed Hore’s direction. Ryan Singh resigned as interim chair, and two co-chairs are taking his place. Eight additional posts were filled by returning volunteers or new faces. Several new volunteers joined us, and more are welcome.
Next meeting will be on Zoom, Tuesday January 14, 2025. All are welcome.
Earlier this year, I had the unexpected opportunity to become the Chair of the York Quay Neighbourhood Association (YQNA). It is an exciting role with a lot of potential. After attending a YQNA public Zoom meeting last year, I offered to volunteer and was welcomed into the YQNA by our former Chair, Angelo Bertolas. He was leading a keen group of residents for several years and had built a robust foundation for YQNA.
As the new Chair of YQNA, my priority is to listen to our neighbours and focus on developments that could affect us in positive or negative ways. We live on a fast-growing Waterfront, and our aim is to make it the best place to live, work, and play.
Just over nine years ago, I moved here from the suburbs. I feel at home in this dynamic neighbourhood that accommodates an influx of workers and tourists, unlike my previous suburban community. We must continue to build and protect the Waterfront by working with community partners, like the Harbourfront Centre and Waterfront Toronto, to ensure a balance of attractions for visitors and amenities for residents.
I look forward to serving YQNA and working with all of you.
Join us on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 for a YQNA Community Meeting. Invitation to follow.
This upcoming event will include presentations by the Waterfront BIA and Gerstein Crisis Centre. Representatives from the TTC will be present and take questions about the ongoing maintenance to the 508 Harbourfront streetcar and improvements to the bus replacement service. Cathy Loblaw, new Harbourfront Centre CEO, will introduce herself to the community.
Last week, representatives of YQNA met with our deputy mayor and city councillor, Ausma Malik. We appreciated the invitation to discuss pressing issues like Harbourfront Centre and plans for Runway End Safety Area (RESA) extensions at Toronto Island Airport. We also discussed upcoming work on the Rees Street Park project and temporary closure of the 509 Harbourfront streetcar.
Give back to our community. We are seeking interested volunteers to participate in our ongoing work in this vibrant neighbourhood. If you are interested, please contact our Chair Ryan Singh, at [email protected].
YQNA held its 100th meeting May 14, 2024, a milestone also because Angelo Bertolas stepped down after seven years as our highly skilled and popular chair. We are fortunate to welcome Ryan Singh as our new chair — the two are seen here side by side.
YQNA meetings will from now on be available as videos on YouTube, with Minutes of the meeting as usual posted in the Documents section of our website. See the meeting on YouTube and read the Minutes here. Guest speaker was Nerys Rau, project director of George Brown College’s Limberlost Place, the newest addition to their fast-growing waterfront campus.
