Hello to all petition supporters,

As they promised the Toronto Humber Yacht Club as started a counter petition to fight are efforts to have their lease renewed for 20 years.

It's clear the club is doing it's best to misrepresent itself as is indicated in this paragraph:

"Today, under renewed vision, values, and leadership, THYC is committed to carrying forward this tradition while evolving to meet the environmental and community priorities of our time. We take seriously our role as environmental stewards of the Humber River and our property, actively caring for the shoreline, participating in annual cleanups, and maintaining a safe, responsible, and respectful environment for all who share the river. Our non-profit club fosters a culture of mutual understanding and respect for each other, our neighbours, and our environment, aligning our activities with the needs of the community and the river we love.? "

I will acknowledge the club is under new leadership for the present time. That being said, THYC is lead by an elected board which is headed up by an elected commodore.

For the past 7-8 the club's membership voted in the previous commodore year after year with full awareness of this fellows vision. In that 7-8 year period the club covered over the vast majority of the property they occupy with hard scape to increase boat trailer parking during the off-season, increase parking during the season and to erect unsightly gazebos along the entirety of the shoreline the club occupies. To my understanding this was done without getting the appropriate permits for Toronto Regional Conservation Authority. In addition the club has clearcut sections of the woodland abutting the property to increase storing boat trailers.

It should also be noted, a quick review of the club's google reviews will show a history to abusive behavior by club members toward their neighbors over the past 7-8 years. This to me does not demonstrate a respect for their neighbors.

I point this out for two reasons:

1/ Based on club members support of the previous commodore, it's clear the members do not understand what it means to be respectful of the natural environment.

2/ The current members of the club are the same members of the club that elected and approved to the clubs misuse of the property they have had the privilege of occupying for the past 7-8 years and these members can re-elect the previous commodore if/when they get their lease extended. 

It's rather quaint the club wants to remind the public of their historic reputation but do not want to acknowledge the fact over the past 7-8 years the club has abandoned any and all positive services they may have historically been provided to the community as a whole. There were no paddling lessons for kids, not kids camps. In fact quite the opposite was true, they wrought environmental devastation on the property and threatened and abused their neighbors.

In my meetings with  Councillor Amber Morley and her staff, it's clear she supports and is actively working with city staff to remove motorized watercraft from the property currently occupied by THYC as well as working to return the property to a positive space for the community.

I know I'm asking a lot of you but once again I'm asking you to share this petition widely to get more support and if possible to email city staff and politicians responsible for making the decision to reject THYC's lease request. Emails will help Councillor Morley by demonstrating she has the support of her community in regards to having the city reject THYC's lease request. (councillor_morley@toronto.ca , asli.mumin@toronto.ca , matt.cook@toronto.ca , aysha.ahmadjan2@toronto.ca , mohamed.osman@toronto.ca , mayor_chow@toronto.ca , thomas.kakamousias@toronto.ca , johanna.kyte@trca.ca , Lauren.Grosberg@toronto.ca , Joseph.Sergnese@toronto.ca , Councillor_Perks@toronto.ca )

As always, thank you for your support!!!

Jason Sills