As Toronto enters a new era of ferries, council hopes oversight shift leads to smooth sailing
Social Sharing
As the Toronto carries out a complex and costly plan to welcome a new electric ferry next year with another to follow in 2027, oversight of the popular summer amenity is moving to a new department.
At the city's last council meeting in March, councillors voted to take the service away from the parks department and give it to its fleet services division. The move stems from an operational review the city and a consultancy conducted beginning in the fall, after a summer of frustration and long lines on the waterfront.
Coun. Paula Fletcher is welcoming the change — especially after she said the parks department initially "forgot" to figure out where the new electric ferries would be parked and charged, leaving staff scrambling to prepare for the new vessels. The city decided to go electric in 2019, but an estimated cost on charging and docking infrastructure wasn't brought forward until 2024.
"It's a marine fleet. It really doesn't have a lot to do with parks," Fletcher told CBC Toronto in an interview. "So it's moved out from folks that forgot [the ferries] needed to be plugged in, to people that do that every day. And I think it will be in good hands."
The shift in responsibility comes as the city works its way through a costly plan to replace its aging ferries, which allow an average 1.4 million annual visitors enjoy the city's island.
WATCH | Long ferry lines frustrated many in the city last summer:
Torontonians frustrated at long lines for island ferry
9 months ago
Duration 2:54
There are renewed calls for the city to work toward building a bridge to the Toronto Islands following a weekend of long lines at the ferry terminal. As CBC's Britnei Bilhete reports, some Torontonias said wait times were up to an hour and a half.
The city's current fleet of boats is beyond the average industry lifespan. A staff report from March says the first ferry should arrive in late 2026 and the second in mid-2027. It does not say when they're expected to be operational.
The ferries will be constructed at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.
The motion to transfer oversight of the ferries received a yes vote from 22 councillors. Councillors Mike Colle and Anthony Perruzza voted against it, while Jennifer McKelvie and Michael Thompson were absent.
Fleet services will take over the ferries by the fall. The report recommending the move says it makes sense because the department "is strategically oriented towards enhancing the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of the city's entire fleet."
Cost of new ferries has jumped from $25M to $92M
The change in authority comes after after councillors learned last summer that the price of electric ferries is significantly more expensive than anticipated.
During the March council meeting, Coun. Stephen Holyday was critical of that rising cost.
"It's frustrating because it's gone from buying a new vessel, which I think most people understood needed to be replaced, to getting a really fancy one and tens and tens of millions of dollars later," Holyday said.
In July, councillors on the general government committee heard the price of the two ferries had gone from $25 million in 2020 to $92 million, due to design changes. City staff have said the savings of going electric will cover the cost of the vessels within two decades.
On top of that cost, comes the work needed to prepare the docking infrastructure for ferries that need to be plugged in.
In September, a staff report said the shoreside infrastructure project to include charging would cost about $42 million. But a more recent report pegs it at about $50.2 million.
The required infrastructure changes include the installation of charging towers in two locations, electric houses to store battery energy and electrical equipment, modified docks and locking systems, plus new in-water stabilization.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
19 hours ago
Widow takes on CIBC after husband's $15K pension sent to stranger's account
When longtime Edmonton lawyer and retired family court judge James Koshman died last fall, his family never imagined a simple transfer of his survivor's pension benefit to his widow would go so wrong. But soon after the $15,000 survivor benefit was issued, the money was gone — deposited into a stranger's account. CIBC blamed the Koshmans, saying they used the wrong transit number — a five-digit code that directs deposits to specific bank branches. The family was floored. They say that number came directly from a CIBC employee — confirmed during a call to the local branch. The Koshmans later discovered CIBC had sent crucial instructions about when to use the transit number, but it went to James's email account — weeks after he died. Another serious blunder, the family says. WATCH | Bank blames family after deposit goes to a stranger: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Widow takes on CIBC after pension transfer sent to stranger | Go Public A grieving Edmonton woman got a nasty surprise when CIBC put her deceased husband's pension transfer into someone else's account — and then blamed the family. CBC's Go Public team looked into what went wrong and the limits of Canada's banking complaint system. There's something very wrong about what's going on, said the couple's son, Jason Koshman, who helped his mother apply for the benefit. The money should have been moved from Alberta Pensions Services Corporation to one of the Koshmans' CIBC accounts. CIBC told the Koshmans it could only recover $3,200 of the misdirected funds — and Yvette Koshman, James's widow, would have to swallow the nearly $12,000 loss. What followed was months of back and forth with the bank — until CIBC told the family there was nothing more it could do. Consumer advocate Duff Conacher, co-founder of the non-profit consumer advocacy organization Democracy Watch, says the case reveals troubling gaps in bank accountability — and cracks in Canada's system for handling complaints. The marketplace is completely out of balance, tilted totally in favour of the powerful banks who have all the money, he said, and totally against the customers who are on their own, frustrated, having lost money. In an email to Go Public, CIBC says its process for handling complaints is clear and meets all the requirements for financial institutions in Canada. Key email sent to deceased man This all started because the branch where James Koshman had banked for decades was in the process of closing. All accounts were being automatically transferred to another location with a different transit number. The Koshmans say weeks after they called CIBC and were given the transit number, the bank sent an email explaining that number shouldn't be used until after Nov. 21. But because the message was sent to James Koshman's email account — after he died — his family says they didn't see it until it was too late. The paperwork had already been filed. They know he's passed away. They still sent him emails, said Jason. Frustrated and out thousands of dollars, the Koshmans tried to resolve things through CIBC's official complaints process — first with CIBC's main customer service department, then escalating to the bank's Client Complaint Appeals Office. The family got the same response from both: The wrong transit number had been used, only a fraction of the funds could be recovered, and there was nothing more the bank could do. I just don't think it's right or it's fair that CIBC can just do what they want, said Yvette Koshman. Banking watchdog can't force banks to pay The family then escalated the issue to the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI), which opened an investigation. CIBC reversed its decision and reimbursed the Koshmans in full — but only after Go Public reached out to the bank. OBSI says that, generally, when a problem is resolved before an investigation is complete, it closes the file. Going to the media was the right move, says Conacher, because even if OBSI had ruled in the family's favour, the federal watchdog has no power to force banks to pay. OBSI can review complaints but can't force banks to follow its recommendations — something the Liberals promised to fix during the 2021 election. Years later, it still hasn't happened. It's completely negligent that no federal government, no federal finance minister, has done anything to correct this over the past decades, said Conacher. It seems unlikely the Finance Ministry will change that. In an email to Go Public, it said only that it had recently introduced guardrails to encourage banks to follow OBSI's recommendations. When asked why it twice denied the Koshmans compensation, only to reverse course and compensate the family after Go Public's inquiries, CIBC said, Given the unique circumstances, and after further review, we've decided to reimburse our client for the remaining amount. No answers on missing money The Koshmans are also frustrated that it appears a stranger was able to keep money that clearly didn't belong to them. It's a fraud, said Yvette. Jason says the fact that CIBC recovered some of the missing money suggests the bank knows who received it. But when he asked what steps were taken to hold that person accountable, he said CIBC refused to say, citing privacy laws. The bank should be compensating the people whose money was lost and then pursuing the people who… took the money out of the account, Jason said. Go Public asked CIBC what steps it took to recover the missing money. The bank didn't answer that question, but confirmed it has since apologized and fully reimbursed the Koshmans. Jason says they're grateful — but worries about others in similar situations who may not be so lucky. My family is fortunate, he said. But what if this was a widow relying on that money to pay rent? To eat? Banks need to be held accountable. And this shouldn't be allowed to happen to anyone else. Rosa Marchitelli (new window) , Marnie Luke (new window) · CBC News ·
Cision Canada
20 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Oxford Properties and CT REIT Announce Major Retrofit at Canada Square, Anchored by New 20-year Office Lease with Canadian Tire Corporation
TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Oxford Properties Group ("Oxford"), the global real estate arm of OMERS, and CT Real Estate Investment Trust ("CT REIT") (TSX: today announced, in partnership with Canadian Tire Corporation ("CTC") (TSX: CTC) (TSX: CTC.A), a transformative investment to retrofit the existing office buildings at Canada Square, a key midtown Toronto hub. This Canadian-led partnership includes a 550,000 square foot, 20-year office lease with CTC, demonstrating the enduring appeal of centrally located, transit-connected workplaces and representing a major investment in Toronto's urban core. The redevelopment project represents a combined investment of over $200 million by Canada Square co-owners Oxford and CT REIT. The two office towers at 2180 and 2200 Yonge Street will be retrofitted to deliver 680,000 square feet of highly functional and modernized office space, over 80% of which will be anchored by CTC. Having operated its head office at Canada Square for over 50 years, CTC is also investing to build a next-generation headquarters for thousands of employees. "This is a proud milestone for Canadian Tire and a major reinvestment in a neighbourhood we've called home for more than half a century," said Greg Hicks, President and CEO, Canadian Tire Corporation. "We're excited to help transform this vibrant corner of the city. Our employees will be among the thousands who come here each day – for work, for play and for the ease of new transit connections in every direction." Originally constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, the 18-storey building at 2180 Yonge Street will undergo internal upgrades and a complete façade renewal, followed by a full renovation of the 17-storey tower at 2200 Yonge Street. Construction, which will begin in late 2025, will minimize embodied carbon from the project while introducing significant energy efficiency upgrades in support of LEED Certification. The retrofit work will also deliver new employee amenities and approximately 15,000 square feet of modern retail space on Yonge Street, significantly improve the streetscape and offer a refreshed retail experience for the neighbourhood. "This 'made in Canada' solution which sees the coming together of these great Canadian institutions to revitalize a key hub for Torontonians is a proud moment for OMERS and Oxford," said Blake Hutcheson, President and CEO of OMERS. "This investment represents our ongoing commitment to being a champion for Canada, here at home and around the world. We are proud to put our pensioners' dollars to work to improve our cities while, at the same time, delivering on our obligation to generate returns to pay pensions for our members." The project will further benefit the community by delivering an upgraded and more accessible TTC entrance on Yonge Street to help local residents and workers more efficiently access Eglinton station. "Canada Square is a crown-jewel property and a generational asset, and this first step in its redevelopment allows us to begin to unlock its full potential," said Kevin Salsberg, President and CEO, CT REIT. "This major reinvestment exemplifies our commitment to enhancing our assets and providing reliable, durable and growing results for our unitholders. We're building for today while setting the stage for the decades to come." "This substantial investment at Canada Square is part of Oxford's deep conviction that well-located, high-quality, and sustainable workplaces that focus on the employee experience will continue to outperform," said Daniel Fournier, Executive Chair at Oxford Properties. "A company of Canadian Tire's stature signing a multi-decade office lease speaks to the trust our customers have in Oxford to create their ideal workplace. Not only is this an environmentally friendly approach to revitalizing one of the most transit-connected sites in the city, but it brings a substantial amount of employment to the neighbourhood and will benefit Torontonians for generations to come as we continue to advance our long-term plans for Canada Square." The office retrofit project is an important step towards the planned redevelopment of the 9.2-acre site into a vibrant, mixed-use addition to the community. Oxford and CT REIT continue to advance plans for the west side of the site that contemplate a significant amount of critically needed new rental housing and public open space in one of the city's most transit-connected nodes. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which reflect the current expectations of CTC and/or CT REIT management regarding future events and financial commitments concerning Canada Square. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release that address activities, events or developments that CTC and/or CT REIT or a third-party expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including with respect to the redevelopment of Canada Square and the assumptions underlying the same, are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Although CTC and CT REIT management believe that the forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information, estimates and assumptions that are reasonable, such statements are necessarily subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual actions and results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. For more information on the material risks, uncertainties, factors and assumptions that could cause actual actions and results to differ materially from current expectations, refer to section 14.0 (Forward-Looking Information and Other Investor Communication) of CTC's 2025 First Quarter Management's Discussion and Analysis and all subsections therein, available on the SEDAR+ website at and and section 5 (Risk Factors) of CT REIT's Annual Information Form for fiscal 2024, and sections 12.0 (Enterprise Risk Management) and 14.0 (Forward-looking Information) of CT REIT's Management's Discussion and Analysis for Q1 2025 and fiscal 2024, as well as CT REIT's other public filings, all of which are available at and at CTC and CT REIT do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by either of them or on their behalf, to reflect new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. ABOUT OXFORD PROPERTIES GROUP Oxford Properties Group ("Oxford") is a leading global real estate investor, developer and manager. Established in 1960, Oxford and its portfolio companies manage approximately C$80 billion of assets across four continents on behalf of their investment partners. Oxford's owned portfolio encompasses logistics, office, retail, multifamily residential, life sciences, credit and hotels in global gateway cities and high-growth hubs. A thematic investor with a committed source of capital, Oxford invests in properties, portfolios, development sites, debt, securities and real estate businesses across the risk-reward spectrum. Together with its portfolio companies, Oxford is one of the world's most active developers with over 70 projects currently underway globally across all major asset classes. Oxford is owned by OMERS, the Canadian defined benefit pension plan for Ontario's municipal employees. Learn more here. ABOUT CT REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST CT Real Estate Investment Trust ("CT REIT") is an unincorporated, closed-end real estate investment trust formed to own income-producing commercial properties located primarily in Canada. Its portfolio is comprised of over 375 properties totaling more than 31 million square feet of GLA, consisting primarily of net lease single-tenant retail properties across Canada. Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, is CT REIT's most significant tenant. For more information, visit ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC.A, TSX: CTC, "CTC") has been a proudly Canadian business since 1922. Guided by its brand purpose, "We are here to make life in Canada better," CTC has built an expansive national retail presence, exceptional customer brand trust and one of Canada's strongest workforces – employing, along with its local Dealers and franchisees, tens of thousands of Canadians. At its core are retail businesses, each designed to serve life's pursuits: Canadian Tire, offering products spanning Living, Playing, Fixing, Automotive, and Seasonal & Gardening, bolstered by notable banners Party City and PartSource; Mark's, a leading source for casual and industrial wear; SportChek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts and Atmosphere, offering the best brands of active wear and gear; and Pro Hockey Life, a hockey specialty store catering to elite players. CTC's banners, brand partners and credit card offerings are unified through its Triangle Rewards loyalty program – a linchpin of CTC's customer-driven strategy. With nearly 12 million members, Triangle integrates first-party data to deliver valuable rewards and personalized experiences across nearly 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets. CTC also operates a retail petroleum business and a Financial Services business and holds a majority interest in CT REIT, a TSX-listed Canadian real estate investment trust. For more information, visit FOR MORE INFORMATION CT Real Estate Investment Trust: Investors: Lesley Gibson, (416) 480-8566, [email protected] Canadian Tire Corporation: Media: Stephanie Nadalin, (647) 271-7343, [email protected] Investors: Karen Keyes, (647) 518-4461, [email protected]
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free owner laments near 40% drop in revenue, blames 'tariff war'
Social Sharing The owner of Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free is lamenting the "tariff war," which he said has had a devastating impact on business as Canadians cut back on travel to the U.S. Ralph Caria says he's seen a near 40 per cent drop in sales since President Donald Trump took office and later implemented sweeping tariffs. "The [duty-free] shops across Canada, they're down 40 to 80 per cent," Caria told CBC Sudbury. "There are some shops in remote areas like in B.C., they're down 80 per cent. Obviously the Ontario duty free, I'm in Ontario, we're closer to the 40 per cent." Caria said he would usually employ between 20 and 25 people during the summer. Those seasonal workers were excited about the summer, he said, adding they have been dealt a blow as they would be without a job this year. "It has an impact on staff… They worked so hard getting on the road to recovering after the border closure due to the pandemic and they were in a positive mindset," Caria said. "When they worked so hard and they thought we were on the way to recovering out of COVID and they were excited for this summer … it's disheartening for them … it's another punch in the gut." 'We cannot sell to the domestic market' Caria said duty-free stores are in a unique position where they can't pivot. "We cannot sell to the domestic market…I can't open my side door and sell to someone on a local street. I can't sell to you unless you're travelling to the U.S.," he said. "We have to sell to people that are entering the U.S. and that would be Canadians travelling and that would be Americans returning home. As you could well envision, that's devastating when the border is closed like in the pandemic or now because of the tariffs." FDFA appeals to Ottawa for help Last week the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), which represents 32 stores across the country, pleaded with the federal government to offer financial assistance to struggling independently owned duty free stores amidst the ongoing political and economic trade war tension. An open letter penned on behalf of the association was sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne on Tuesday. The letter outlines what's referred to as a disproportionate impact the stores, and their work forces, are facing from tariffs and continued cross-border travel disruptions. Barbara Barrett, the executive director for FDFA, says "immediate action" is needed from Ottawa. "When travel slows or stops, our stores — all independently owned, family run and often the main employer in their towns — are the first to feel it and often the hardest hit," she told reporters during a Tuesday morning news conference on Parliament Hill. "Our communities can't afford to lose these businesses. That's why today's letter is so urgent and why we're calling on the government to step in before the damage becomes permanent." Association president Tania Lee says the FDFA is looking for things such as liquidity support for its hardest hit stores, and clarity on export rules. "Our ask is modest, but the need is urgent," Lee said.
