A Bridge Probably Now Looks Like A Good Idea To Island Squatters

Islanders get own ferry from city

By SUE-ANN LEVY, CITY HALL COLUMNIST

While the 400 employees of Centreville have not been able to work for 25 days because there's no city-run ferry service, city officials have chartered a special tour boat to take Toronto Island residents to and from their homes.

Island resident Bill Freeman, an outspoken advocate against the Island airport, says the city arranged with one of the tour boat operators to provide an exclusive service for the islanders from York Quay.

"The islanders need this essential service to get into town to buy groceries," he said.

The boat holds about 50 people and runs about every hour from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., more often during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

Freeman says the fare -- at $6.50 per round trip -- is the same as it would be for the city-run ferry, noting the only "inconvenience" is that they're not allowed to take their bicycles on it.

"We're doing fine ... you don't hear islanders complaining," he said yesterday, noting they've never encountered CUPE pickets at the boat.

Asked for details on the name of the tour boat operator, city spokesman Leisa Tjoeng said she did not have the information yesterday.

Asked why this contracted-out service is considered acceptable by the striking CUPE workers -- when 400 Centreville workers can't access their jobs because of no ferry service -- she said it was "probably best to speak to the unions on that."

A CUPE spokesman was unable to answer that question last night but said it would be a decision of the strike committee.

Freeman and his fellow Toronto Island residents have been strong supporters of Mayor David Miller.

They worked in concert with the mayor in 2003 to oppose the fixed-link to the now thriving Toronto City Centre Airport, at the foot of Bathurst St.

SUE-ANN.LEVY@SUNMEDIA.CA