A local councillor is taking action to address the issue of illegal jet ski rentals operating near Woodbine Beach and to establish a watercraft exclusion zone at Ashbridges Bay, following numerous complaints from residents in the area. Currently, individuals can rent jet skis directly from the beach, but these operations are unlicensed, lack insurance, and do not have any official permission from the authorities.
Resident Ken Hare voiced concerns over safety, particularly emphasizing the challenges posed by untrained individuals riding jet skis near children attending sailing school. He noted, “The sailing school with kids has been complaining about the safety issues with the Seadoos going by them, people who perhaps don’t know how to do it. And it just is clogging up the use of the boat ramp.” He further pointed out the negative impact of these rentals on local fishing activities, stating, “We used to see a lot of salmon fishermen. Now we don’t because there’s jet ski trailers that are unhooked.”
Councillor Brad Bradford, representing the Beaches and East York area, is advocating for the City of Toronto to take decisive measures to shut down these illegal rentals. He highlighted the ongoing issue of enforcement, sharing that there have been several sting operations that resulted in the impounding of illegal jet skis. “There have been a number of overnight sting operations where these jet skis have actually been impounded. But these are illegal operators,” Bradford remarked. He emphasized their awareness of the law, explaining, “They know what they’re doing is breaking the law, and their vehicles can be impounded, but they go and pay the fine and they look at it as the cost of doing business.”
In an unexpected turn, one of the operators, Ahmad Zarai, who runs Bayside Watersport Inc, defended the rentals, insisting that the city should consider regulation instead of complete shutdown. Zarai argued, “It’s a fun thing, you can do this anywhere in the world. Why do we want to shut it down in Toronto?” His perspective highlights the clash between recreational activities and the need for regulatory compliance to ensure safety for all users of the beach.
Recent enforcement efforts by the Toronto police have led to substantial fines, with over $12,000 issued and more than 20 bylaw charges resulting in an additional $5,000 in penalties. However, Councillor Bradford believes that imposing fines alone is insufficient to resolve the issue. He is proposing the establishment of a motorized watercraft exclusion zone at Woodbine Beach, recommending a distance of at least 100 metres off the shoreline to protect beachgoers and enhance safety.
Moreover, the idea of implementing an exclusion zone is not without precedent. A pilot project at Hanlan’s Point on the Toronto Islands established restrictions preventing watercraft from coming within 200 metres of the shore this summer. Despite these efforts, both Hanlan’s Point and Woodbine Beach face jurisdictional limitations, as the Federal Agency Ports Toronto governs these areas, necessitating collaboration between local and federal authorities for any regulatory changes to take effect.
As the local community rallies for increased safety and regulatory compliance concerning jet ski rentals and watercraft use, the situation remains dynamic. Councillor Bradford's proposal aims to strike a balance between recreational enjoyment and public safety, which could lead to significant changes in how water activities are managed around Toronto's popular beaches.
