Harbourfront Centremeeting

Rare and Lively In-Person Meeting

by 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.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
meetingyqna

September Community Update

by YQNA
by Ryan Singh

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. 

September Community Meeting

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.

Meeting with Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
City Councillor Ausma Malik (third from right) and her senior staff member Tom Davidson (left) met with YQNA members (from left) Ulla Colgrass, Rosemary Fleming, Ed Hore and Ryan Singh in August 2024.

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.

Volunteer with Us

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].

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
meetingyqna

Changes in YQNA

by YQNA

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.  

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Artharbourfront

Sculpture in and about Water

by YQNA

The waters at Harbour Square Park will be home to a unique sculpture this summer — a treat for the eyes and with deep spiritual meaning. Upcycle is the creation of Toronto artist Javid Jah in collaboration with Dr. Debby Danard of the Anishinaabe. It was initiated by Waterfront Toronto and will attract crowds from early June to late September.

Toronto artist Javid Jah created a unique water sculpture.
Here is the complex construction of the 12-foot wide Upcycle, fabricated by Qube Company. At the core is a metal frame.

The imposing sculpture will be secured to a float dock which is anchored on the lakebed. Boaters can get close, but without touching the structure — and of course kayakers cannot dart through the centre even if tempted.

This floating wheel will consist of 456 re-used water bottles, holding messages from people who volunteered their stories. Everybody drawn to the Waterfront can certainly relate to the power and magic of expansive water meeting the sky. Some of the messages in the bottles are contributed by people around us, expressing their love for this source of life and the need to preserve it.

Upcycle will reflect the sky and the changing light as it moves gently in the water. People’s valuable quotes about water will be collected by the artist and presented in an online companion to the piece, which can be accessed via QR code or the Waterfront Toronto website.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Island Airport

Island Airport Facts Emerge

by YQNA

A well-funded publicity campaign is underway to extend the life of the Island Airport beyond the end of its Tripartite Agreement in 2033. PortsToronto is operating the airport, which has leased the 210 acres of prime Waterfront land since 1983. Federal regulations now require major expansions into the harbour to renew the lease, so the pressure is on. The extended runways could cost a staggering $130 million and disrupt recreational use of the bay.

PortsToronto claims it is a successful business and essential to Toronto’s economy. Neither is true, according to experts in a new YouTube video from Parks not Planes. They document a steady decline in commercial flights from the Island Airport, with heavy financial losses year over year. This trend accelerated when Porter Airlines changed its business model away from the island and now flies mainly out of Pearson Airport. So far PortsToronto’s efforts to find other airlines have not succeeded.

The huge building and population spurt in Toronto’s downtown set the Island Airport in new perspective. The core is critically short of green space. If Toronto aspires to be a successful city, this has to change. The convenience of using the Island Airport rather than taking the UP Express from downtown to Pearson, should not supersede the needs of thousands of condo dwellers in search of public green spaces and recreation. 

Would New Yorkers prefer an airport to Central Park? If this question sounds preposterous, it is very much what Toronto’s City Council is facing now. Let the facts guide City Council to vote on the side of the general public and not for this business on the Waterfront. 

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts