Item - 2025.TE21.55
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Toronto and East York Community Council on April 3, 2025 and was adopted without amendment. City Council has delegated authority for this matter to the Toronto and East York Community Council and therefore, the decision is final.
TE21.55 - Restoring Public Art at Canoe Landing Park
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Schedule Type:
- Delegated
- Ward:
- 10 - Spadina - Fort York
Community Council Decision
The Toronto and East York Community Council:
1. Requested the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, to collaborate with the artist and City Place to explore the feasibility of options for replacement of Tom Thomson’s Canoe by Douglas Coupland.
Origin
Summary
I was saddened and dismayed to learn that Tom Thomson’s Canoe, a public sculpture in Canoe Landing Park by celebrated Canadian artist Douglas Coupland, was destroyed in a fire overnight on April 2. Tom Thomson’s Canoe paid tribute to the famed Group of Seven artist, who disappeared while canoeing in Algonquin Park in 1917. Perched overlooking the Gardiner Expressway, the canoe stood as a symbolic entrance marker to downtown Toronto. Its vibrant red colours helped to make Canoe Landing Park a warm and welcoming gathering space for the many residents of City Place and the surrounding community.
As part of the City’s commitment to engaging residents through public art, I am recommending that Toronto and East York Community Council adopt the following motion to explore the feasibility of options to restore the artwork to Canoe Landing. Through this motion, City staff will collaborate with the artist and the local community to review how best to re-animate the park with art following this devastating fire.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-254313.pdf