Waterfront Toronto’s board has voted to defer the final deadline for a decision on whether the controversial Quayside smart city will go ahead.

Directors have extended the deadline from March 31 to May 20 in order to give the public more time to provide input, according to a statement from the tri-government agency.

Sidewalk Labs, a sister company to Google, was announced as the preferred partner for a futuristic redevelopment of a swath of land along the waterfront, complete with self driving cars and sensors that collect data on everything from weather to people’s movements and activities, two years ago.

The proposal has been criticized by privacy advocates, Indigenous activists who feel they were payed lip service in the planning, and citizens suspicious of big tech.

“Today’s extension allows for more time for the public to provide feedback on Waterfront Toronto’s evaluation of Sidewalk Labs’ proposals and for the board to hear directly from the public on its priorities before any decision to proceed to implementation is taken,” said board chair Stephen Diamond in the statement.

“This board will not sacrifice the public good for expediency,” Diamond added.

Sidewalk Labs looks forward to “continued cooperation with Waterfront Toronto” and the next phase of public consultation, said spokesperson Keerthana Rang in an email.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue to work with Waterfront Toronto on building an inclusive, affordable and sustainable neighbourhood at Quayside,” she added.

In October, Waterfront Toronto voted to proceed with the evaluation of Sidewalk Labs’ proposal after the company agreed to scale down its original 1,500-page, four-volume master plan.

That plan had called for broad development in Toronto’s Port Lands area and a public commitment from Waterfront Toronto to secure funding and deliver the extension of Light Rail Transit on the eastern waterfront.

The new agreement keeps the scope, for now, to the 12-acre plot of land at Queens Quay East and Parliament Street dubbed Quayside.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

What do you think?

With files from Donovan Vincent and David Rider

Read more about: