Item - 2025.EX27.5
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 12 and 13, 2025 without amendments.
- This item was considered by the Executive Committee on November 4, 2025 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on November 12 and 13, 2025.
EX27.5 - Progress Report on the Toronto Ferry Service
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 12 and 13, 2025, adopted the following:
1. City Council receive the report (October 21, 2025) from the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Emergency Services for information.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-259596.pdf
Communications (Committee)
(November 4, 2025) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (EX.New)
Motions (City Council)
EX27.5 - Progress Report on the Toronto Ferry Service
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council receive the report (October 21, 2025) from the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Emergency Services for information.
Origin
Summary
The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with an update on key directives pertaining to the Toronto Ferry Service, including the implementation status of recommendations arising from the operational review, progress on the fabrication and delivery of the new electric vessels and actions to improve the customer experience at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
In October 2024, City Council directed staff to conduct a review of the Toronto Ferry Service. Staff provided the findings of the review in a report to City Council in March 2025, including recommendations to strengthen fleet maintenance, asset management, safety oversight, and workforce planning. The review also included guiding principles for organizational alignment, which informed staff’s decision to reposition the ferry operation within the Fleet Services Division. Parks & Recreation and Fleet Services continue to collaborate to prepare for this transition, which will take place on November 1, 2025, ensuring continuity of service, knowledge transfer, and effective change management.
The fabrication of the City’s two new electric vessels is underway, with the first ferry scheduled for delivery in Q4 2026 and the second in Q2 2027. Extensive coordination of shoreside infrastructure, vessel commissioning, federal (Transport Canada) regulatory certification, and crew training is being carefully sequenced to prepare the ferries for passenger service. The project remains on track, within budget, and positioned to enable the future evolution of Toronto’s ferry service.
The City’s ferry ticketing system has reliably supported operations for over a decade and will remain in use under the current contract through 2030. Currently, staff are analyzing options to modernize the system while maintaining a strong focus on improving the overall customer experience at the terminal.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-259596.pdf
Communications
(November 4, 2025) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (EX.New)
Speakers
Motions
Vote (Adopt Item) Nov-04-2025
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX27.5 - Adopt the Item |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 7 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Alejandra Bravo, Olivia Chow (Chair), Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Amber Morley, Gord Perks |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Mike Colle |
| Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Josh Matlow |