New electric ferries launch amid questions about island future
The City's all-electric Lady of the Quays officially launched last week, but locals are skeptical about the investment with the airport expansion threatening island development.
The City's newest ferry, the Lady of the Quays, was ceremonially launched May 27 with champagne and maritime tradition — a bottle smash from Toronto's Distillery District christened the all-electric vessel. But online reaction has been decidedly skeptical.
The launch comes as the provincial government pushes to take over Toronto's waterfront and expand Billy Bishop Airport. Social media responses focused less on the vessel's achievement and more on the uncertainty around the islands' future, with many asking whether investment in new ferries makes sense if the airport expansion will encroach into the harbour and bring jet noise.
One commenter noted the ferries are being built by Dutch shipbuilder Damen's shipyards in Galati, Romania — not domestically. Others called out the design as dated for a 2026-built vessel.
The Lady of the Quays still requires finishing touches before arriving in Toronto later this year. A second electric ferry, the Toronto Islander, will launch next month. The City says the vessels represent a commitment to island access, but residents remain unconvinced about what that access will mean once the airport's footprint expands.