Toronto could ban jet skis entirely from City-owned docks

Toronto's waterfront is constantly evolving — from an airport runway expansion to an upcoming cruise ship terminal — and now, there's a new plan on the table that could reshape how people use the water itself.

A recent motion from City Councillor Dianne Saxe (Ward 11, University-Rosedale) is calling on staff to look into banning jet skis and other high-polluting personal watercrafts from City-owned properties.

That could mean fewer opportunities to recreate high-speed chase scenes on the harbour like it's a James Bond movie — or a Mariah Carey music video.

Saxe's proposal comes after the City's General Government Committee recommended approval of 20-year lease renewals for 24 waterfront boat clubs, under one condition: no more jet ski rentals on those sites. 

But during discussions, it became clear that many clubs actually wouldn't mind going even further and extending the ban to privately-owned jet skis too.

Privately owned jet skis have reportedly played a significant role in ongoing conflicts at some clubs — including issues tied to the Humber Yacht Club, which ultimately didn't have its lease renewed. 

Beyond the noise (and occasional side-eye from chill kayakers), there are environmental concerns to factor in. Jet skis and older two-stroke engines are "well known to pump petroleum products into the water in which they operate."

More marina drama: City staff admitted they haven't actually done a full study or public consultation on the pollution side of things just yet.

There are cleaner alternatives out there, including electric boat engines that are basically the EVs of the lake, but they'd require installing charging stations at marinas and clubs to take off.

Saxe's motion asks staff to work with groups like the Toronto Region Conservation Authority and Toronto Hydro to study the issue and report back by 2027. 

For now, nothing is set in stone. But if the plan moves forward, Toronto's waterfront could be heading toward a future with less annoyingly loud revving engines and more peaceful sounds of waves crashing and birds flying. Who could ever complain about that?