Let's Go To The Ex!
We had a great talk on December 9th on Zoom from Don Boyle, CEO of Exhibition Place, about the new plans and program ideas for our historic waterfront venue and fairground. Don's deck is here.
City Council voted on October 9, 2024, to accept RESA 1, the "minimal landmass" option presented by Ports Toronto. Ports Toronto had hoped to get City approval of other options, RESA 2 or 3, both major expansions of the airport involving as much as three times as much landfill. The federal government requires run-off areas at the end of runways known as Runway End Safety Areas (RESAs), which in the case of the island airport must be built by July 14, 2027.
Ports Toronto also hoped to get City Council to agree on October 9 to an extension of the Tripartite Agreement, the lease and operating agreement at the airport, for 40 years beyond its present expiry in 2033, that is, until 2073. Council allowed a limited extension for as much as 12 years, but only if Ports Toronto satisfies the City it can't afford to build RESA 1 (cost: around $65 million) without the extension. But City Staff have already concluded it has the money, and we agree.
Next step: will Ports Toronto defy the City, and insist on airport expansion now? They may. We’ll find out at Ports Toronto’s meeting at 2 pm or 6 pm, Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Come and have your say!
Latest posts
WFA Speaker Series talk on Toronto ferries.
On Tuesday November 18, 2025, Ron Jenkins delivered a fascinating Zoom talk on the ferries that have been moving people across Toronto Harbour to the Islands for the last two centuries. The deck is here.
Native seeds buried under eight metres of soil when the foot of the Don was a marsh long ago are coming back to life at Biidaasige Park. Excavation and construction for the new park exposed ancient seeds to water and sun; they woke up and started growing again.
We learned about this amazing rebirth of native plants at our October 26, 2025 Walk/Talk led by David Stonehouse of the Waterfront Secretariat, with special guests forestry expert Steve Smith of Urban Forest Associates and landscape architect Netami Stuart of Toronto Parks and Recreation. The weather was perfect. It was a great day. Many thanks to our expert speakers, and to the many people that joined us for a scenic Sunday stroll.
