Enhanced Water Taxi Access to Toronto Island - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik

In 2024, five operators with a total of 53 boats were granted licences to dock at Toronto Island Park locations. In 2023 (last year available), water taxis transported an estimated 486,066 passengers according to an operator survey conducted by the Waterfront BIA. Licences are issued annually, expiring each year. Licence opportunities are advertised publicly on the City's website as business opportunities and are open to any supplier who meets the qualifications. The licence is for use of the City's docking locations on Toronto Island Park. Licence holders are responsible for securing mainland-side docking locations and infrastructure, and meeting Transport Canada regulations for water taxi service. Licence fees are based on market rates and advertised publicly. With the growth in demand for water taxi services, the authority to grant licences has exceeded Parks, Forestry and Recreation's delegated authority under Municipal Code 608 to issue licences. We are recommending Executive Committee adopt a motion to provide the necessary authority, for the next five years, to issue annual licences to qualified water taxi operators. We are bringing the recommendation forward now to ensure a smooth start to the 2025 season in May. Meanwhile, the City is acquiring two new higher-capacity ferries, currently under construction, to meet increased demand for visiting Toronto Island Park. They are expected to be delivered in late 2026 and early 2027. Prior to the arrival of the new ferries, Parks, Forestry and Recreation has been investing in ways to improve the ferry passenger experience, including improvements and upgrades in 2024, as well as responding to my motion GG14.8 passed at the July 24 and 25, 2024, meeting of City Council. That motion requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to explore opportunities to lease or otherwise retain relief vessels to provide additional service to and from Toronto Island while the new ferries are being procured. As part of this effort, we are recommending Executive Committee also adopt a motion to give further direction to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to undertake discussions with water taxi operators to understand any barriers related to maximizing water taxi service to and from Toronto Island Park and to explore options for maximizing water taxi service. Any outcomes from those discussions would be subject to future Council consideration, including any budget requirements.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to undertake discussions with private water taxi operators to understand any barriers related to maximizing water taxi service to and from Toronto Island Park, and to explore options for maximizing water taxi services to and from Toronto Island Park, with any outcomes of those discussions subject to future Council consideration, including any budget requirements.