Toronto, here’s your chance to take part in a fun initiative that helps name the city’s newest lineup of electric ferries.
With a goal to modernize the Toronto Island Ferry fleet, the city is bringing in two new, fully electric ferries to its waters, a first in over 60 years.
What to know about the new Toronto ferries
These ferries will carry three times as many passengers as the ones they are replacing and will offer better boarding flow, upgraded accessibility features, and modern amenities.
And since it’s such a huge milestone, the City is calling on its residents to join them in naming the two ferries.
“These new electric ferries represent a historic investment in Toronto’s waterfront and a major step forward in building a cleaner, greener city,” says Mayor Olivia Chow.
“As the first new ferries in more than 60 years, they will help modernize this vital service while supporting our commitment to net-zero emissions. I’m excited for residents to help choose names that will carry these ferries—and Toronto—into a more sustainable future.”
A committee of both City staff and community partners put together a shortlist of names to choose from. Voters have now until Monday, April 6, at 11:59 p.m. to submit their choices.
Ferry names to vote on
These are the names to choose from and the reasoning behind them, according to the city:
- Bluebell II: Inspired by bluebell wildflowers found on the Toronto Islands;
- Blue Current: Represents water currents and the clean electric energy powering the ferry;
- Great Lake Dancer: Captures the motion and energy of Lake Ontario;
- Harbourlight III: Highlights the glow of the harbour and skyline lights guiding waterfront travel;
- Harbour Swan: Inspired by swans in Toronto Harbour; symbolizing graceful, quiet movement;
- Island Willow: Named for the willow trees lining Island pathways;
- Lady of the Quays: Reflects Toronto’s waterfront quays and welcoming harbour presence;
- The Harbour Passage: Highlights the ferry connection between the waterfront and Islands;
- Toronto Islander: Celebrates the connection between Toronto residents, visitors and the Island;
- Water Strider: Inspired by insects gliding smoothly across water, mirroring the ferry’s movement;
- Discovery VI: Celebrates exploration and travel across Toronto Harbour;
- Island Chickadee: Named for the Islands’ chickadees, symbolizing curiosity and nature;
- Cloudbreaker: Evokes a ferry cutting through harbour skies and cloud reflections.
According to the city, every name on the shortlist was carefully checked to make sure it follows the City’s Property Naming Policy PDF and can be officially registered with Transport Canada.
Also, it’s important that names are easy to pronounce, will stand the test of time and are non-commemorative.
How to vote on Ferry names
All Toronto residents can vote online on the City’s webpage. And the two winning names will be announced this spring.
Be sure of your choice, as voting is limited to one vote per household.
The first ferry will arrive in late 2026, while the second ferry will arrive in early 2027.
“Following delivery, each vessel will undergo several months of commissioning, crew training and lake trials before entering service,” shares the city.
Cast your vote online.
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Karen Doradea
Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.
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