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YQNA Invites Mark Carney

by YQNA

The best way to learn how important the Waterfront is to Toronto is to visit on a summer day. That is why YQNA has invited Prime Minister Mark Carney, with the support of 60 other neighbourhood associations in Toronto from FoSTRA and FoNTRA — umbrella groups from Sheppard Avenue in the north down to the lake. Several MPs in Toronto are delivering the invitation to Mr. Carney.

We are hoping the Prime Minister can find the time to meet his many supporters in Toronto. There will be no speeches or ceremonies, but a boat ride, entertainment or just relaxing on our beautiful Waterfront can be arranged. As soon as we hear from Mr. Carney’s staff, we will share the news.

Floating Convenience Store

This is the sixth summer that we see art floating in the Harbour Square Basin, each one a delight. The Global Convenience store was recently anchored near the boardwalk. It is the work of Toronto artists Trevor Wheatley and Cosmo Dean. The store looks familiar and surreal at the same time, with changing products in the storefront and ducks and kayaks bobbing around. It is the product of Waterfront Toronto’s Floating Public Art program and here to stay for the summer. On the first day, a familiar NoJets sign was placed in the front window to protest a jet airport, but was considered a rogue act and quickly removed.

Latest on Jets

Norm Di Pasquale of NoJetsTO links two vital issues: opposing jets and saving the Islands.
  • A group of civic luminaries including Ken Greenberg, Anne Golden and Helen Burstyn have launched a “Reality Check” website challenging the jet proposal: https://torealitycheck.ca. Support comes from notable Torontonians including Margaret Atwood, former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, David Mirvish, and former Mayors David Crombie and Art Eggleton. Check it out!
     
  • Toronto Port Authority is challenging building heights already approved for Ookwemin Minising in the Port Lands, saying they might be too high for the Island Airport. No mention of jets, but the buildings “‘may also impact other instrument flight procedures that have not been named” in an attached NAV Canada letter. YQNA Co-Chair Ed Hore says the argument “seems to be that developers, the City and Waterfront Toronto are subject to ill-defined restrictions that could change at any time, and would probably change a lot if jets were allowed.” This uncertainty appears to stretch as far as South Etobicoke. See the TPA’s judicial review application.

Arts Galore in Terminal Theatre

The theatre in the Terminal Building has been revived and is entering a new era with many different art forms on stage. That is exciting news, because after Harbourfront Centre ended its management of the Fleck Dance Theatre, its future was uncertain. The Toronto Stage Company came to the rescue, and producer Jon Chaters has announced the first season. It offers theatre, opera, musicals and dance, with single tickets and subscriptions available now. Imagine that we will be able to see La Bohème, The Pirates of Penzance and Martha Graham’s legendary dance company in the Terminal Theatre! Take a look at their season and book your favourite shows. It’s a good time to support culture on the Waterfront. 

The Money Trail

Dejan Ristic, a witty Island resident, mixed history and recent events with help from AI.

JP Morgan, USA’s biggest bank, holds the leash — or controls the consortium that owns the Billy Bishop Airport terminal. That consortium is Nieuport Aviation, which paid an egregious $750 million for the terminal in 2015. Now they are burdened with declining passenger traffic and questionable long-term financial performance. 

Enter Doug Ford! In his back-room style he expropriated Toronto’s part of the airport land and perhaps the City’s say in its future, all to revive the dream of an expanded jet airport. Yet no public plans exist, especially business plans. 

Jets were turned down ten years ago as being completely unsuited to the Waterfront. Now residents are determined once more to save the Islands and the Waterfront — the true gem of our city.

May Meeting Minutes

YQNA’s public meeting in May featured Norm Di Pasquale along with former Mayor David Crombie and engineer Hal Beck, all highlighting grave issues with the jets proposal. Also featured were MPP Chris Glover, MP Chi Nguyen, City Councillor Ausma Malik, and Morganne Campbell of Harbourfront Centre. Read the new minutes by volunteer Didi Wu or see the video on YouTube!

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Island Airport

Take Transport Canada’s Survey

by YQNA
A jet airport expansion would change the Waterfront forever and clog downtown Toronto with traffic.

Transport Canada wants our opinion on the proposed jet airport on our Waterfront, and YQNA urges you to fill out their online survey. You will be anonymous. If you have more to say, please write them to the addresses included below.

YQNA finds it odd that we are asked about this airport expansion when there are no plans of any kind to respond to. Even our MPs and Prime Minister Mark Carney have no opinions for lack of information. Still, we welcome this opportunity to speak to Ottawa.

  • Email written feedback to [email protected] with the subject line: “Consultation – Future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.” Or mail feedback to:

Attention: Consultation – Future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Transport Canada, Air Policy
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks St
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5

Gather Against Jets

Two big meetings are coming up on the jets issue — and YQNA members will be in attendance! Register for the following events:

  • Join NoJetsTO and Environmental Defence for a webinar on the potential impact of jets — and what we can do to stop it. Among the speakers are Dr. Mili Roy of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) on how jets would affect the health of Toronto residents. Tuesday, June 16 from 7-8pm on Zoom. Register here. 
  • Waterfront for All will host a meeting on “The Costs of Uncertainty: BBTCA Expansion Proposal,” focusing on “the causes and costs of uncertainty in civic and developmental planning” as questions swirl around the jets proposal. Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm on Zoom. RSVP here.

Summer Activities

The new “Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Community Soccer Pitch” at Harbourfront Centre. (Photo: Lalita Krishna)

On the lighter side, check out summer activities on the Waterfront!

  • Harbourfront Centre’s include Summer Music in the Garden, Free Flicks and Dancing on the Square. More here. Their new soccer pitch (seen above) is for kids and families to have fun. See the details. 
  • Waterfront BIA lists events like Stories of Women Who Transformed Toronto, Luminato Festival and sailing pond yachts across Love Park. Click for more.
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FerriesHarbourfront Centrepolicetransit

And We Have a Winner!

by YQNA
Mayor Olivia Chow revealed the names of our new electric ferries coming here. Julie Breen of YQNA (left of the mayor) was happy to learn that YQNA’s proposed ‘Lady of the Quays’ was chosen.

We are excited to share that the first electric ferry to grace our harbour will be christened Lady of the Quays, a name newly submitted by YQNA! The second ferry will be Toronto Islander. As you may recall, the City conducted a naming contest.  YQNA submitted five names and we participated on the City’s naming committee, which agreed on a 13-name shortlist, including two from YQNA, which was then put out for public vote. After 17,700 votes were cast, Lady of the Quays emerged as the winner with approximately 15% of the vote (and our second name, Harbour Swan, placed third by a narrow margin).  Lady of the Quays is expected to arrive at the end of this year and go into service next spring. She will replace the Ongiara as the passenger and vehicle ferry, with a capacity of 650 passengers and 14 vehicles or 1,300 passengers. Long may she sail!

Amsterdam Bridge is Back

City Councillor Ausma Malik (left) and Mayor Olivia Chow (centre) are joined by YQNA members Margarete Akens, Neal Colgrass, Lalita Krishna and Lynne Munroe (left to right).

YQNA helped celebrate the restored Amsterdam Bridge at Harbourfront Centre on May 31. City Councillor Ausma Malik and Mayor Olivia Chow were among the speakers and more than a hundred people who cheered on the City’s $1.24-million repair of this gift from Amsterdam back in 1974. It fell into disrepair 5 years ago and is now ready in time for FIFA. “This was not a simple repair,” said Chow. “It was a detailed, technical rehab that required care, precision, and patience, which is why it took a bit of time.” YQNA extends much gratitude to Councillor Malik and CreateTO for their roles in making this happen. 

Joining Councillor Malik and Mayor Chow are (left to right) CreateTO CEO Vic Gupta, Harbourfront Centre President Tenio Evangelista and Dutch Consul General in Toronto Marjan Schippers.

FIFA World Cup: What’s Happening in Our Neighbourhood

Excitement is building for the 2026 World Cup and we are right in the midst of the action – expect larger-than-usual crowds along our waterfront. Keep the following in mind as you make your plans:

  • Matches are at Toronto Stadium (aka BMO Field at Exhibition Place) on June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26, and July 2, with a capacity of approx. 45,000
    • FYI: Blue Jays are at home on June 12, 23, and 26; and June 26 is also during Pride weekend
    • Expect road closures on match days within an area bounded by Colborne Lodge, King W, Bathurst, and Lake Shore, with accessibility exceptions
  • FanFest, the official FIFA fan destination, is nearby at Fort York with a capacity of approx. 25,000
  • Closer to home, Harbourfront Centre is hosting events from June 11-July 2. In particular:
    • GE Appliances Canada Soccer House Toronto (west campus, including the concert stage), the official fan destination for Canada Soccer. Fans will be able to watch Canada’s matches, along with live entertainment, food, and beverages. Capacity of approx. 10,000
    • SportChek Activation (east campus), which includes a soccer pitch and retail area
  • Toronto Police Services will manage planned and unplanned events via the TPS FIFA Team
    • Increased presence of bike teams in our neighbourhood is likely
    • Members of Taskforce Guardian may be deployed in our area, if conditions warrant. These officers, armed with rifles and protective gear, are focussed on deterrence 
    • Our Marine Unit will be increasing patrols
    • While demonstrations and protests are expected downtown, there will be no proactive fencing installed in our neighbourhood, as was experienced during the G20
  • TTC will be adjusting its routes and schedules. We expect the following:
    • On match days, no access within the area bounded by Dufferin, King W, Bathurst, and Lake Shore, with accessibility exceptions. The Fleet St. transit hub will be used
    • Subway service extended at least 1 hour on match nights
    • 509 Harbourfront (June 7-July 12) to run every 5 mins. during most times of day, with an overnight service available every 20 mins.; slow zones currently in place to continue; when needed to disperse crowds, the Bathurst stop on the eastbound route will be closed
    • 510 Spadina (June 7-July 24) to turn back/start at Queens Quay and thus not serve Union Station
    • 511 Bathurst (June 7-July 24) to run every 5 mins. during most times of day, with overnight service provided by streetcar not bus. This route will have transit priority in place
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Island Airportmeeting

YQNA Jets Meeting Now on YouTube

by YQNA
Norm Di Pasquale of NoJetsTO.

Our May 2026 meeting is now live on YouTube!

We hosted three prominent guest speakers – Norm Di Pasquale of NoJetsTO, former Mayor David Crombie, and engineer Hal Beck, all focused on the proposed jet airport that threatens life on the Waterfront as we know it. They gave compelling facts about expanding runways far into the lake, the results of adding eight million passengers a year to the tiny Billy Bishop Airport, and the resulting air, noise and water pollution from jets. It would erase much of the Waterfront’s value as our major tourist destination. Chaired by YQNA Co-Chair Ed Hore.

Also hear from:

  • MPP Chris Glover
  • MP Chi Nguyen
  • City Councillor + Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
  • Morganne Campbell of Harbourfront Centre

And you can see a PDF of Norm Di Pasquale’s presentation here. 

Join YQNA, NoJetsTO, FoSTRA, David Crombie and many others in the battle against jets at the Island Airport.

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Island Airport

Make Your Voice Count on Jets

by YQNA

People keep asking us what they can do to save the Waterfront from being overrun by a jet airport. YQNA is glad to help. Here are the most effective ways:

  • Add your name to NoJetsTO and volunteer in their activities, sign their petitions and make a donation: nojetsto.com.
  • Put pressure on City politicians to speak up in defence of our precious Waterfront. Find their emails here at City Hall.
  • Learn as much as you can about this jet threat by watching this press conference on Facebook and share it with friends. Although this crisis is made by politicians, the solution has no political slant. It will be found by everybody who wants to save the Waterfront.
  • The Federal Government has the deciding vote here, so please send emails to the following people:

MP Chi Nguyen [email protected]
Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon [email protected]
Prime Minister Mark Carney [email protected]
— or better post a letter to Carney:

The Right Honourable Mark Carney,, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A2

  • YQNA has three prominent speakers at our May 12 meeting at 7 pm on Zoom – Norm Di Pasquale of NoJetsTO, former Mayor David Crombie and engineer Hal Beck. Focus is on the jet airport proposal and the value of the Waterfront. All are welcome — details to follow!
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