Item - 2026.TE29.65

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Requested the Executive Director, Toronto Emergency Management to meet annually with the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association, to solicit and integrate feedback and improvements on the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Community Response Handbook.

On October 22, 2022, the Toronto Police Service was called to Billy Bishop Airport, just before 4pm, to investigate a suspicious package attached to a bicycle on the mainland side of the airport. A tweet from Toronto Police identified it as "a potential explosive device".

Residential buildings near the ferry terminal were evacuated, and residents were not permitted to return back home until after midnight. The neighbourhood was locked down. The suspicious package turned out to be an additional battery pack on an electric bike.

While the community was relieved that it was not a real threat, the way in which the crisis was managed and the lack of communication led many in the community to feel shaken and unsafe.

In response, and with the strong advocacy of the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association, The Emergency Response Framework for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was formed and the BQNA Community Response Handbook was developed.

My office has worked closely with neighbours and City staff to ensure this handbook is reflective of community feedback and can be a safety resource for all in the neighbourhood.

This handbook is intended to be a “living document” and will need to be reviewed throughout the future as the neighbourhood evolves. My recommendation is aimed at ensuring there is a regular and reliable space for the community to be consulted on future updates and improvements to the handbook so it can continue to be reflective of feedback from residents of Bathurst Quay.