Toronto (March 27, 2012) – The Toronto Port Authority (TPA) announced today that it will initiate a dialogue with several key waterfront stakeholders, including the City of Toronto, Harbourfront Centre, Ontario Place, Waterfront Toronto and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the recent confusion surrounding the rights of individuals to enjoy the pleasure of fishing in Toronto-area waters.
 

Mark McQueen, Chairman of the TPA Board of Directors, said that “the TPA fully supports public use of Toronto’s waters for a variety of safe activities. Whether it be fishing, sailing, power boating, or rowing, among other pursuits, we encourage the enjoyment of the tremendous public asset that is Lake Ontario. Fishing has never been banned, and once appropriate sites are chosen by landlords and marked for public use, we are happy to host a fishing derby this summer to encourage Torontonians to come down to the waterfront and try their hand at landing a Northern Pike, among other sport fish.” 
 

The TPA is now reaching out to various key stakeholders along the water’s edge to ensure that its partners understand that the existing relevant TPA bylaws relate to safety and the navigational requirements of those who use the lake, and are not designed to prevent the designation of safe fishing spots by landowners along Toronto’s waterfront. 
 

Current TPA Practices & Procedures governing fishing in Toronto’s harbour were drafted in 2000, based upon pre-existing bylaws of the former Toronto Harbour Commissioners. Those rules were designed to prevent unsafe fishing in commercial boats slips, for example, where there was ongoing industrial use.
 

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Media Contact:  Suzanna Birchwood, 416-863-2036 / 416-317-6405 (mobile)