Crombie: We Need to Light a Fire!

 

Former "tiny perfect mayor", Conservative Federal Cabinet Minister and principal author of Regeneration, the foundational 1992 report of the Crombie Commission on the future of the Toronto Waterfront, had strong words about the Provincial Government's unilateral move to expand the Island Airport for jets yesterday. "That upends the shared vision that we all gathered around... We need  to light a fire! This is a major issue, no fooling around! ... First of all and by far the most important, the federal government has a clear and legal and political responsibility to deal with the proposal coming forward, they can't fool around with simply: 'we need to talk about it'..."

David spoke at a Zoom meeting of the York Quay Neighbourhood Association (YQNA), a member organization of Waterfront for All" on May 12, 2026. Ed Hore emceed the meeting, and happened to record David's eloquent speech on his cell phone. The clip has now gone viral; it's been viewed thousands of times on social media.   

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Waterfront for All - in person - Speaker Series #26

Toronto’s waterfront is changing fast, and one of the best ways to understand it is on foot. Waterfront for All invites you to a guided walking tour of two of the city’s spectacular new waterfront attractions: Ookwemin Minising and Biidaasige Park.

Along the way, you’ll learn about the interesting history and natural heritage of this rapidly developing part of Toronto’s waterfront.

Event Details

  • Date: Sunday, October 25

  • Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

  • Meeting point: The Keating Channel Pub & Grill. - MAP LINK - The tour starts and finishes here.

  • RSVP: please click here to RSVP.

Walk Leader: David Stonehouse, Past Executive Director, Toronto Waterfront Secretariat

Historical Backgrounds: Ron Jenkins, Secretary, Waterfront for All

About the Series

This walking tour is the 26th event in the Waterfront for All Speaker & Walk Series, presented by Waterfront for All.

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