City shuts down yacht club on Humber River in Etobicoke by refusing to renew lease

The city of Toronto is shutting down a yacht club on the Humber River in Etobicoke that is accused of having negative impacts on the local ecosystem.

In a notice posted to the entrance of the Toronto Humber Yacht Club on Tuesday, the city said the property at King's Mill Park will no longer be used as a boat club for the upcoming 2026 season. Members were told in the notice to remove all boats and personal property.

Simon Larson, spokesperson for the city, said in an email Thursday that the city, together with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, evaluated the site and decided that that a "less intensive land use would better support ecological management objectives.

"The Toronto Humber Yacht Club is the only boating club located along a river. Given the erosion and flood hazards present in the Humber Valley, environmental considerations are heightened in the site the Toronto Humber Yacht Club occupied," Larson said.

Larson said the Humber River is the only Canadian Heritage River in the Greater Toronto Area and it is home to endangered species.

Coun. Amber Morley, who represents Ward 3, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, said there has been a lack of co-operation by the club with the city over the years and compliance issues.

"This particular boat club, unfortunately, has not had the best history of stewardship of the lands as well as partnership and collaboration with the City of Toronto. And we've also had significant concerns around behaviors that are problematic for the sensitive ecological area where it exists," Morley said.

"It's actually one of the only boat clubs in the City of Toronto that's not on the waterfront proper, but rather up in one of our creeks or rivers. So it's an additionally sensitive area."

Morley said the city moved to a month-to-month lease last year with the club, giving members a chance to transition out of their lease, and she encouraged them to bring their boats to other boat clubs nearby.

Jason Sills, an avid kayaker and wildlife photographer, started a petition nearly two years ago to get rid of the club after a new leader was elected in 2019 who expanded the club.

He said he has witnessed a jet skier nearly run into a family on two inflatable kayaks. Sills said when the jet skier returned to the docks, instead of being reprimanded, boat club members cheered and gave him a beer.

"To actually have a concrete sign that says this is the end is thrilling for me," Sills said.

The petition objected to the construction of gazebos along the shore, saying they displace native species and disrupted natural habitats. It objected to the increased use of personal water craft, particularly jet skis, saying they introduce pollutants into the river.

It also said the club expanded beyond its allocated space, cutting down trees to increase the size of the parking lot.