Over the past few weeks, officials of other orders of government have commented on the future of Toronto’s waterfront, including the Island Airport. While these comments set expectations that the other orders of government may seek to change the character and uses of the waterfront, the City has not received a proposal or any details. The plan, if there is one, remains a mystery.
I'm moving a motion at City Council, seconded by Mayor Olivia Chow, to make it the position of City Council that other orders of government must include the residents of our city and their democratically elected municipal representatives in all decisions about the future of our city, including our waterfront. This includes opposing the unilateral expropriation of any land within the City of Toronto. It says:
- City Council request the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario to include Toronto residents and their democratically elected municipal government in all significant decisions impacting Toronto, including decisions about the uses and future of the Toronto waterfront.
- City Council opposes any unilateral expropriation of City land by the Government of Canada or Government of Ontario.
Torontonians deserve to have a say over our city and our waterfront. It's our waterfront and we’ve worked hard to keep making it a vibrant and sustainable place to live, work, learn, visit, and enjoy.