Item - 2026.EX30.2

The City Manager, the General Manager, Parks and Recreation and the Interim Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards recommend that:

1. City Council adopt the Personal Watercraft Safety Plan as described in Attachment 1.

2. City Council thank Toronto Port Authority for the implementation of Motorized Watercraft Exclusion Zone bylaws at Hanlan's Point Beach, Humber Bay Shores, and Woodbine Beach for the 2026 season, and request the Toronto Port Authority to continue implementation of Motorized Watercraft Exclusion Zone bylaws at Hanlan's Point Beach, Humber Bay Shores, and Woodbine Beach for the 2027 and future summer seasons.

3. City Council request the Director, Waterfront Secretariat, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Toronto Police Service Marine Unit and other City officials as required, to finalize requested boundaries and submit an application to Transport Canada to establish a Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations which prohibit power driven vessels and vessels driven by electric propulsion in the waters off of Marie Curtis Park, Humber Bay Park, and Bluffer's Park Beach.

4. City Council request to the Toronto Police Service Board to request the Chief of Police to further enhance boating and water-safety enforcement through a multi-year strategy that reflects city-wide policing needs.

5. City Council request the Director, Waterfront Secretariat, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, General Manager, Parks and Recreation as well as Toronto Port Authority, Waterfront Toronto, CreateTO, and Toronto Regional Conservation Authority, to explore potential sites that could be feasible for use by compliant Personal Watercraft rental companies and report back to the appropriate committee in 2027 with an assessment of feasible site options.

Toronto has experienced increasing safety risks, compliance challenges, and public concern related to the use of Personal Watercraft (PWCs) along the waterfront, particularly in near‑shore and high‑use areas. Unsafe operation of PWCs can conflict with swimmers and paddlers, and unpermitted commercial PWC rental activity in City parks and beaches have highlighted the need for a coordinated, multi‑jurisdictional response that takes into account the various roles and responsibilities of the City, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) Marine Unit, and external partners such as the Toronto Port Authority and Transport Canada.

PWC is the regulatory and industry term for a vessel less than four metres in length that uses an internal combustion engine powering a water-jet pump as its primary source of propulsion, and that is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than inside it. Common brands of PWCs include Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, and WaveRunners. PWCs do not refer to non-motorized, human powered pleasure craft such as canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards.

This report presents Toronto's Personal Watercraft Safety Plan for Council's consideration. The Plan provides an integrated strategy to improve safety, reduce risk, and strengthen compliance related to PWC activity along Toronto’s waterfront. It responds to City Council direction (2025.MM32.16 and 2025.MM33.20) and has been developed collaboratively with key partners noted above as well as through engagement with waterfront stakeholders.

The Plan focuses on actions within the City’s control, while coordinating with federal authorities responsible for on‑water regulation. Key components include enhanced land‑ and water‑based enforcement, targeted public education and signage, and continued collaboration with federal partners on exclusion zones for motorized watercraft. The Plan also proposes exploring and identifying potential sites for compliant PWC rental operations to launch, subject to Council direction and applicable approvals.

Collectively, the actions outlined in the Plan aim to reduce the risk of incidents, deter unpermitted commercial activity on City property, improve public awareness and voluntary compliance, and strengthen coordination across agencies. The plan supports safe and equitable access to the waterfront while protecting swimmers, boaters, and Toronto’s natural environment.

The Toronto Port Authority (TPA) has approved the implementation of Motorized Watercraft Exclusion Zones (MWEZs) for areas within their jurisdiction, in the waters off Humber Bay Shores, Hanlan's Point Beach and Woodbine Beach for the 2026 season by amending its bylaws and communicating changes through existing digital maps. The TPA will facilitate the development of electronic navigational charts with federal partners for use by boaters. The City will communicate about the MWEZs through a planned public education campaign and signage.

To support officer safety, enforcement efficiency, and align with City-led water safety initiatives, the Toronto Police Services (TPS) Marine Unit requires the installation of three (3) computers on its vessels. The estimated cost for this equipment is approximately $40,000 to $45,000, which is not included in the TPS operating budget. However, TPS has indicated that these costs can be accommodated within its existing operating resources.

Enforcement, communications and operational activities undertaken by City divisions and agencies in support of the PWC Safety Plan will be delivered within existing approved operating budgets and resources.

Physical Buoys Demarcations:

Should Council request installation of physical buoys to demarcate the established MWEZs, the City will be expected to bear the full cost of the buoys. The recommended large marker buoys are estimated to cost approximately $54,500 each, with a minimum of two buoys placed at each of the three locations: The buoys could be installed off the waters of Humber Bay Shores (2 buoys), Hanlan's Point Beach (2 buoys), and Woodbine Beach (2 buoys).

The estimated cost of $54,500 per buoy includes the capital cost to procure the required buoys ($11,000 per buoy) and each buoy’s weight and chain assembly ($8,500 per buoy), as well as costs associated with buoy installation, removal at the end of 2026 summer season, and storage ($35,000 per buoy). The total estimated costs for six buoys in 2026 is $327,000.

Should the Toronto Port Authority indicate its intention to maintain the established MWEZs beyond 2026, the ongoing costs to the City is estimated at $210,000 annually for installation and removal, storage and maintenance of six buoys each season.

Funding to support these costs is not available within the 2026 budget and could be included for consideration along with other priorities in future budget processes.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the information as presented in the Financial Impact Section.