Councillor_Morley@toronto.ca , Mohamed.Osman@toronto.ca , Matt.Cook@toronto.ca , councillor_perks@toronto.ca , mayor_chow@toronto.ca , johanna.kyte@trca.ca , Thomas.Kakamousias@toronto.ca , Lauren.Grosberg@toronto.ca , Joseph.Sergnese@toronto.ca

Dear petition supporters,

Thank you all for your support in our efforts to have the city of Toronto reject Toronto Humber Yacht Club's 20 year lease on Toronto Regional Conservation Authority/public lands.

I was informed yesterday city staff has been given an extension for delivering their report reviewing and providing recommendations for renewing the leases for the boat clubs in the GTA. 

The report is to be completed at some point in Q2 (October-December 2025). The report will then be presented to the General Governance & Licensing Committee for review and approval before being presented to City Council to be voted on.

The only stage the public is allowed to speak publicly about our concerns is in front of the General Governance Committee. Our group will continue to monitor the agendas for the committee so we know when to send in requests to speak at the appropriate meeting. I will of course keep you all informed of these developments as they arise.

But it it's still important to keep the pressure on city staff, bureaucrats and politicians so they realize this issue is important to the citizens and voters in Toronto. So please keep sharing this petition with family and friends and if you have time please keep reaching out to the individuals I've included above.

I'm confident THYC has someone inside city staff and/or the bureaucracy and/or our elected officials. They seem to be aware before hand when the city is going to send inspectors to the property and they make cosmetic improvements which will only be temporary and are ineffective in addressing the issues the club has created for itself.

To give an example: The club has covered over the vast majority of the green space on the property with hardscape (illegally, as they did not get permits to do so) to increase their capacity for boat storage in the winter months. In doing so they have likely covered and damage the club's septic field. On my walk yesterday morning, I noticed the club had cleared the area they were using as extra boat storage and put curbs around the space that was once lawn. When I passed by a city inspector was on the property. This may be a coincidence but I think that's unlikely.

I share all this information with you so you understand that we are still fighting an uphill battle with the city to reject THYC's 20 year lease request. It's always easier for city staff and the bureaucracy to go with the status quo vs working to create something wonderful for the general public. 

So let's keep our momentum going over the summer months.

Thanks again for your time and support!

Jason Sills