So Who Owns the Seawall Anyway?
Last summer, the City erected “Keep Off Danger” signs on the Western Gap dockwall along the south side of Stadium Road, as a precaution following the collapse of a 20-foot portion adjacent to the National Yacht Club in December 2006. As local MPP Rosario Marchese says: Marchese. "This is a huge safety hazard and there's no telling when the rest of the wall will collapse."
The wall was built in 1910 by the federal Department of Public Works – this is stated on a plaque on the wall, just west of the collapsed portion.
What’s interesting is the degree of finger-pointing, as both the provincial government, which admits it owns the land on which the wall is located, and the federal government, which has responsibility for harbours under the Canadian constitution, look to the other for action.
Until recently, there’s been no progress to report. Feeling some frustration, Olivia Chow, MP for the area, along with Rosario Marchese, MPP, called a press conference on February 21, in which I participated on behalf of CommunityAIR – my view, not surprisingly, was that the Toronto Port Authority, having as its primary responsibility, the effective operation of the port, should actually assume that responsibility, and devote resources to the task of repairing this essential port facility.
To our complete surprise, the following story appeared in the media the next day:
A large portion of the western harbour wall that fell into Lake Ontario more than a year ago will likely be repaired in the spring, said the Toronto Port Authority (TPA).
Nathan Rotman of Olivia Chow’s office followed up. Here’s his report:
Brian Iler, Chair, CommunityAIR and Past Commodore, Alexandra Yacht Club.
The wall was built in 1910 by the federal Department of Public Works – this is stated on a plaque on the wall, just west of the collapsed portion.
What’s interesting is the degree of finger-pointing, as both the provincial government, which admits it owns the land on which the wall is located, and the federal government, which has responsibility for harbours under the Canadian constitution, look to the other for action.
Until recently, there’s been no progress to report. Feeling some frustration, Olivia Chow, MP for the area, along with Rosario Marchese, MPP, called a press conference on February 21, in which I participated on behalf of CommunityAIR – my view, not surprisingly, was that the Toronto Port Authority, having as its primary responsibility, the effective operation of the port, should actually assume that responsibility, and devote resources to the task of repairing this essential port facility.
To our complete surprise, the following story appeared in the media the next day:
A large portion of the western harbour wall that fell into Lake Ontario more than a year ago will likely be repaired in the spring, said the Toronto Port Authority (TPA).
"We've taken the matter extremely seriously and we're trying to find the best way to go about repairing it," said Lisa Raitt, president of the TPA.
Nathan Rotman of Olivia Chow’s office followed up. Here’s his report:
Don't get too excited too quickly.
I just got off the phone with Ken Lundy at the TPA.
They're surprised to know that the wall is confirmed as provincial crown land and can't confirm that they're fixing it this spring. They're investigating options.So no progress, really. I thought people might be interested, though, in the story as it progresses (or not, as it turns out).
Brian Iler, Chair, CommunityAIR and Past Commodore, Alexandra Yacht Club.
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