fishing is banned in toronto harbour...$2000 fine

[tangledline]

jwm i think that you are correct....
we are going to lose some territory (lots of territory) but the way this city has grown along the harbourfront ...we are going to lose ground...
this is unstoppable
....but if we freak out and demonstrate were going to put the police in a position against us....and we will brand ourselves and all persons after us who fish ...as criminals (a legacy i do not want to establish)....we are not like that ....we are angry..... but we are civil...peaceful....respectful...diplomats of our sport/past time and ultimate passion of fishing.
i believe we need to try to salvage what territory we can....maintain and look after it....and plead for more territory or else we will depleat our resource ...the fish ..very quickly...even with catch and release...too much fishing pressure the fish will move to quieter waters.
but any territory we will gain will be through negotiations and hard work not a riot...i mention this cause many emails i have gotten suggest we do just that....i am strongly opposed to this for many reasons.

 

[tangledline]

yes you are correct again and yes mike riehl has already today contacted the harbourfront mgmt and told them to cease and dissist using their tpa law #24 and he has been in contact with marine unit police and i have spent 1/2 the day on the phone trying to assist in this process and so has mike h from the other forums.....this is the right direction...isolate harbourfront centre from all other organisations....they have the most territorty ...its their security that is attacking us and we publically fund them...to a small degree....its their rules and their initiatives that have brought this mess upon us....the police and mnr and toronto conservation authority have always been there to protect our resource the fish we do not want to cause them problems...​

 

[aznsynaseter]

wow there trying to take fishing spot away in big cities like toronto thats messed up i was fighting this winter with ppl who live on puslinch lake for ice fishing they too the only spot for parking away so me and my friends walked for half hour on public land to access the lake and they didn't like that and came out on the snowmobiles and were speeding around us in circles and they called the cops on us keep up the good fight guys strength in numbers

 

[tangledline]

the following was sent to the mnr and then forwarded to the toronto port authority

name is david clark
my cell 647 309 9850
my email [email protected]
sat march 17 met a mnr officer at the islands...great guy....awesome to see the truck coming off the ferry.
we need more of you...but we know you do the best with what you are given...thankyou!
sun march 18 i was fishing toronto harbourfront....specifically portland quay(east of bathurst)
i was on the harbourfront trail casting into the slip....gar pike 10 metres away....yes gar....
harbourfront security car pulls up and the security officer expresses i am fishing illegally...
it is illegal to fish anywhere along the harbourfront as per the toronto port authority rule #24
he had a little toronto port authority manual...he had it open pointing to the rule....
i knew he was messing with me...but why???i was peacefully fishing....
i tried to reason with him...to no solution....
he told i had to leave...i told him i was on the trail/sidewalk and it was 5 metres wide
i was not bothering or endangering anyone....except him....
he lost his mind yelling at me and calling for more security....
he was telling me they were coming to remove me....i was gonna get a $2000. fine
police would be called and i would be facing a trespassing charge as well...
now i was angry
he was provoking me....
he was on a radio phone as well
i asked him if the harbourfront security would be removing me ...he said yes
having been a general manager at nightclubs for 20 years i did not like the sound of that...
i asked if the police were comming and he said yes...
i told him that if the police came and asked me to leave i would...but
otherwise if they tried to remove me themselves...hell was gonna open up
he left to meet the arrival of the marine unit
after chasing away 5 other fishermen from the next harbour over they came to me
police officers i have met b4 when iwas fishing....
they were really cool
they listened...they explained...they calmed me down.
they used the same toronto port authority manual...same phrases
but...they sacastically said "were sure you've got one of these port authority rule books"
they knew i did not and they knew i could not argue against it rules cause i was ignorant of them
but class guys they were they were not mocking me but the situation we were all in
they expressed that they never bothered me b4 because it was not their mandate to
they had no problem with me fishing so to speak but the rule book was such and the harbourfront security
wanted me removed...and it was their responsibility to have his back...
i understood...
they asked me to leave and fight this battle another way.....
yes that is what i did....
i am writing this to you because i was told you wanted to understand further how the toronto port authority's manual was misused...
i believe it was...i may be mistaken but i am just a simple guy fishing with a current outdoors card
the marine unit police have in their notes my name address and date of birth...i offered the info and presented my fishing outdoors card
i do have a pic of the security car and its license plate...if this helps
mike h from ontario fishing forums emailed me to get in contact with you
respectfully
david clark
ps hope to see you july 10th weekend for kids fishing day...i was there last year for 10 hours teaching kids and parents to fish and how to cheaply and safely.

 

[tangledline]

wow there trying to take fishing spot away in big cities like toronto thats messed up i was fighting this winter with ppl who live on puslinch lake for ice fishing they too the only spot for parking away so me and my friends walked for half hour on public land to access the lake and they didn't like that and came out on the snowmobiles and were speeding around us in circles and they called the cops on us keep up the good fight guys strength in numbers

i am starting to understand what that feels like ......to lose something you loved only second to your dog and family....

 

[tangledline]

i am tired but can not sleep thinking about this dilema....so if this idea sounds crazy...it is.....
i was giving advice at how to gain access to a fishing pond on this site....i suggested they give the private owner of the pond a gift or service to gain access to fish his pond....then it dawned on me....what could i give harbourfront centre to gain back access to fishing the lake....
they are funded in part by tax payers.....they need money to offset their costs....they do not have signs posted no fishing everywhere because that costs money.....so how much money do they have to fight us....or would they be willing to accept user fees or yearly harbourfront fishing license....i would pay 25 to 30 dollars for a harbourfront licence...but that is me...what is it worth to you???....is this an option for us???
children under 14 and handicapped persons free....
what are the chances of them agreeing and what minimum # of users to pay fees would we need to guarantee....or do we continue to fight them politically....requiring them to pay a small fortune on lawyers???

 

[--G--]

This is an interesting post.

I dont think going down the route of offering money for license would be the best first step. We all buy a fishing license, and in my eyes that should cover the harbour front too.

I think our best bet is to keep pressure on these people and get a clear statement that we CAN fish the harbourfront and other waterfront areas.

It seems to me that there is very little support to stop fishing downtown GTA, and not a great deal of reason behind it.

My 2 cents - keep the chasing for a clear answer, and if its not the answer we want.....then look at options. But I think that politically charged angle would work best...lets not go throwing money at people just cause they are trying to (and this is only the impression i am getting reading all this) to enforce a law the TPA have no desire to stand behind. This might just be some guy with a bee in his bonnet about fishing, one man wont last against all the anglers in the GTA.

From what I am reading, it seems already that we are winning and that this will blow over. If it will not...well lets get active. I am all for showing my support for this issue. It is shocking to everyone I talk to that we are being told we cannot fish the lake. Canada is home to a great pride in the out door lifestyle (part of the reason i moved here) and I cant see this flying much longer

Either that or we ALL turn up and fish the harbour front and see what happens.

 

[tangledline]

the fees could go to provide fishing opportunities and equipment for children and the handicapped.
hell we could even round up some free gear from sponsors and some volunteers to aid in teaching the kids to fish...
this would fit nicely into their promotion of the waterfront activities and usage of harbourfront....
an introduction and exposure to fishing for the kids....and access to fishing the lake for those who are challenged by the barriers associated with fishing along the shoreline banks and small boats(handicapped).
a legacy we could all be proud of and the best outcome for this mess we are all in...this would bring dignity back to the harbourfront centre and a peace offering to all those involved in this conflict....

note in europe there are lots of pay to fish ponds

 

[tangledline]

the harbourfront centre is digging in their heels quick and deep...i do agree we need to battle like our rights as canadians have been taken from us....but they own a large part of the property and make their own policies
political pressure may not tip this into our favour...i'm hoping...but i am also exploring all options....i am throwing ideas out there to get a response to how you feel about its validity...and thankyou your response carries merit...and i respect it.

 

[LogJam]

"oh Canada, our home and native land,
true patriots to all out sons commands
with glowing hearts we see the rights, our true north strong and "free"
from far and wide oh Canada we stand on guard for thee
"God keep our land glorious and free"
oh Canada will stand on guard for thee."

that may sound like something you know! but it seems now a days some if not most of the words no longer have meaning.
if we all stand up and raise our voices to the right people, then maybe we can begin to live as we should...
"FREE"

 

[mikeh]

i am tired but can not sleep thinking about this dilema....so if this idea sounds crazy...it is.....
i was giving advice at how to gain access to a fishing pond on this site....i suggested they give the private owner of the pond a gift or service to gain access to fish his pond....then it dawned on me....what could i give harbourfront centre to gain back access to fishing the lake....
they are funded in part by tax payers.....they need money to offset their costs....they do not have signs posted no fishing everywhere because that costs money.....so how much money do they have to fight us....or would they be willing to accept user fees or yearly harbourfront fishing license....i would pay 25 to 30 dollars for a harbourfront licence...but that is me...what is it worth to you???....is this an option for us???
children under 14 and handicapped persons free....
what are the chances of them agreeing and what minimum # of users to pay fees would we need to guarantee....or do we continue to fight them politically....requiring them to pay a small fortune on lawyers???

Are you in contact with anyone at the HarbourCentre? I have not been able to get any replies or statements from them on why they applied the ban. Difficult to find a work around if we dont know their reasoning for the ban, it could just be that one of the board directors is anti-fishing.

 

[NADO]

wow there trying to take fishing spot away in big cities like toronto thats messed up i was fighting this winter with ppl who live on puslinch lake for ice fishing they too the only spot for parking away so me and my friends walked for half hour on public land to access the lake and they didn't like that and came out on the snowmobiles and were speeding around us in circles and they called the cops on us keep up the good fight guys strength in numbers

Those guys on the snowmobiles were probably part of the problem that caused the restaurant to stop allowing access, what goons...

 

[NADO]

This might just be some guy with a bee in his bonnet about fishing, one man wont last against all the anglers in the GTA.

it could just be that one of the board directors is anti-fishing.

This is exactly what I was just thinking, there are people like that out there. Maybe he/she is a vegan or something lol, maybe he/she saw someone catch a fish and keep it out of the water to eat later and thought to themselves that something has to be done! And then they cite reasons like safety because they know the real reason has no merit.

 

[manitoubass2]

You guys are doing a fantastic job getting to the bottom of this.

Even though I don't live in the area, I'm following and wishing you all the best of luck.

A situation like this would make my grandpa shake his head, and it's things like this that make me understand the whole" the good ol days" saying.

Good job guys, hopefully you can find a solution and even get a little recognition in doing so.

 

[Colin]

This is ridiculous! We have the right to fish as long as we all follow the rules! If you don't follow the rules shame on you! We have the right to fish freely and should defend these rights!

 

[tangledline]

Hello David,

Thank you very much for this first hand account of what transpired recently. I have heard various versions, but I always like to hear it straight from the horse's mouth ... as it were. I have been working this week with officials from the Port Authority to better understand who has what jurisdiction (in regards to fishing) where does that apply and who owns what downtown along the waterfront. Secondly- the challenge has been to try and learn the various fishing policies- allowed or not, that 'are on the books" .. or possibly just not enforced by the various land owners. From what I understand, there are several.

My ultimate goal is to help coordinate a clearer understanding (amongst anglers, agencies and their staff) of where people can fish- and where they can't. Ultimately from there my objective is to reduce those areas where 'we can't fish' so that incidents like this need not occur. I think open communication from various levels of government and agencies is critical in this process in order to realize we should all be promoting fishing opportunities in the city ... not trying to minimize them. As you can appreciate however with government ... this process may take awhile ... so please have patience with us

Thanks again for your email and the kind words about our MNR CO - (I think I know who it would have been- great guy!).

Take care David... and hope you have a great fishing season!

Wil Wegman
Ministry of Natural Resources
Aurora District



-----Original Message-----
From: Jager Clark [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tue 3/20/2012 8:36 PM
To: Wegman, Wil (MNR)
Subject: fishing toronto harbourfront


my name is david clark
my cell 647 309 9850
my email [email protected]
sat march 17 met a mnr officer at the islands...great guy....awesome to see the truck coming off the ferry.
we need more of you...but we know you do the best with what you are given...thankyou!
sun march 18 i was fishing toronto harbourfront....specifically portland quay(east of bathurst)
i was on the harbourfront trail casting into the slip....gar pike 10 metres away....yes gar....
harbourfront security car pulls up and the security officer expresses i am fishing illegally...
it is illegal to fish anywhere along the harbourfront as per the toronto port authority rule #24
he had a little toronto port authority manual...he had it open pointing to the rule....
i knew he was messing with me...but why???i was peacefully fishing....
i tried to reason with him...to no solution....
he told i had to leave...i told him i was on the trail/sidewalk and it was 5 metres wide
i was not bothering or endangering anyone....except him....
he lost his mind yelling at me and calling for more security....
he was telling me they were coming to remove me....i was gonna get a $2000. fine
police would be called and i would be facing a trespassing charge as well...
now i was angry
he was provoking me....
he was on a radio phone as well
i asked him if the harbourfront security would be removing me ...he said yes
having been a general manager at nightclubs for 20 years i did not like the sound of that...
i asked if the police were comming and he said yes...
i told him that if the police came and asked me to leave i would...but
otherwise if they tried to remove me themselves...hell was gonna open up
he left to meet the arrival of the marine unit
after chasing away 5 other fishermen from the next harbour over they came to me
police officers i have met b4 when iwas fishing....
they were really cool
they listened...they explained...they calmed me down.
they used the same toronto port authority manual...same phrases
but...they sacastically said "were sure you've got one of these port authority rule books"
they knew i did not and they knew i could not argue against it rules cause i was ignorant of them
but class guys they were they were not mocking me but the situation we were all in
they expressed that they never bothered me b4 because it was not their mandate to
they had no problem with me fishing so to speak but the rule book was such and the harbourfront security
wanted me removed...and it was their responsibility to have his back...
i understood...
they asked me to leave and fight this battle another way.....
yes that is what i did....
i am writing this to you because i was told you wanted to understand further how the toronto port authority's manual was misused...
i believe it was...i may be mistaken but i am just a simple guy fishing with a current outdoors card
the marine unit police have in their notes my name address and date of birth...i offered the info and presented my fishing outdoors card
i do have a pic of the security car and its license plate...if this helps
mike h from ontario fishing forums emailed me to get in contact with you
respectfully
david clark
ps hope to see you july 10th weekend for kids fishing day...i was there last year for 10 hours teaching kids and parents to fish and how to cheaply and safely.

 

[tangledline]

<BR clear=all>Hey Dave, I have finished my letter to the mayor, have look Let me know, what I should add.thanks Good afternoon Mayor Ford. My name is David Kearney, and I am writing you in regards to the Queens Quay Centre and it's managing bodies decision to restrict fishing on Toronto's Harbor front, and using Toronto police services to un-lawfully and unjustly enforce the Toronto port authorities policies and procedure # 24 "No person shall fish from shoreline unless in an authorized area designated by posted signs." The Queens Quay Centre and their managing body is partially funded by Toronto's tax payers, of which I am one, and their mandate is to make the Toronto waterfront more open and accessible to Torontonians. They have failed in this, doing the complete opposite in restricting the leisure activities of many hard working law abiding citizens of this great city and it;s world class fishery. I have fished the Toronto Harbor front for the past 7 years without incident, I personally know dozens of hard working torontonians who enjoy their leisure time fishing Toronto's waterways, also without incident. I understand that safety is a concern for those involved, but to take such a underhanded and aggressive stance against a population of innocent citizens who truly appreciate all that Toronto has to offer, and that includes fishing, is a dastardly deed indeed. The Queens Quay centre and it's managing body needs to be clear in their enforcement of any laws that they have drafted up, and post signs accordingly. There should also be made available sections of the Toronto waterfront that can accommodate fishing, and these area's need to be clearly posted. ( why was this not even a option)?)Toronto is in the midst of redeveloping much of it's harbor front, Will there not be room for fishing in Toronto anymore? that may be the case if Queens Quay centre and it's managing body has any say in that matter. I know that you yourself Mayor Ford respect what a sport can do for our young people, especially here in the big city, fishing is one of those alternative, just like after school football programs, why are we taking that away from them, now and in the future. looking forward to hearing your response to my concerns. SincerelyDavid Kearney

talk soon

 

[tangledline]

mike h
thankyou so much...your hardwork and your communication...has created another strong alliance...with the mnr...they are doing amazing work for us too...on par with the toronto port authority...
i would like to fish with you and these guys when this is over...
were so lucky to have you on this forum
thankyou

 

[Porter86]

All of you are doing great work on this that are envolved!! I must say I loved the MNR's reply, and how he said give us time this is the goverment after al. PRICELESS!!! haha.

You guys deserve some kinda of award!!!

 

[tangledline]

Are you in contact with anyone at the HarbourCentre? I have not been able to get any replies or statements from them on why they applied the ban. Difficult to find a work around if we dont know their reasoning for the ban, it could just be that one of the board directors is anti-fishing.( quote from mike h)


mike h
scott cornett from the police marine unit asked me not to confront them personally or contact them....
remember they want me charged with tresspassing....oh and the real criminal act of fish'n
i am not to engage them directly...police instructions ....i am not gonna piss off the police we need them.
scott cornett said he would contact me when he was sure he fully understood their position....i am sure it has been in flux
the toronto port authority calling them out on misrepresentation of their laws etc.
i will call him tomorrow and see if he has news....
maybe i am too patient....the fishing brings out the best character flaws..patience...