Indigenous business owner fears losing permit to operate on the water

For more than a decade, OSHA OSHA has been creating a community here at Sunnyside Beach, renting kayaks and paddle boards to those who want to enjoy the water. Only now, the indigenous owners are fearing that opportunity might be taken away. Some of them. If I risk losing this permit, I'm not just risking my connection to the water, but I'm risking what I invested the last 12 years of my life into. More often than not, anyone along the waterfront just east of the Humber River will likely find Jennifer Red Sky gathering a group of people for some time traversing the shores of Lake Ontario. It's a way of life. But also a business she and her sister take pride in. We're the only Indigenous tourism and recreation company in Toronto, so for us and our community, it's really important to see representation of Native people in these spaces. In the beginning, Red Sky says she helped grow the sport of paddle boarding in Toronto and petitioned the city to create permits to secure a space to operate. She received one in 2020. Now, having gone through another application process, she's worried she won't be able to continue. Both at Sunnyside Beach and her other location at the Scarborough Bluffs. You can't underestimate the impact she's had on on this place. Yeah. And it's like, you know, just her presence here, it would be a huge loss. And anyone, if anyone were to come in and replace her and offer the same service. It just wouldn't be the same. And it just doesn't make sense. Earlier this week, Red Sky received a letter from the city's Parks, Forestry and Recreation division saying her permit application was accepted for just what location. Today City News received a statement saying quote city staff are actively reviewing the situation and are making best efforts to identify opportunities for licensed non motorized watercraft vendors along Toronto's waterfront. In the meantime, the people continue to gather, enjoy the space, the water and the company while hoping for the best. Devastated that we've worked so hard to build our company and build our community and. If the city decides to not give us our apartment. It just, it's traumatizing. For now, the city says that the owners are free to continue to operate at this location while other matters are being worked out. Mark McAllister, City News.