I agree with you that it's a nothing story. However, it is still newsworthy, and Dale was well within his rights reporting on it.
And it's a story because a) Ford is trying to buy land that is technically owned collectively by the citizens of the city, so they do have a stake in the deal, and b) very rarely do people apply to buy land from the TRCA, plus c) if Ford is successful in purchasing the land to put up a security fence, what are the implications in future for private citizens wanting to buy TRCA land for personal use?
So I guess my stance on the issue is something along these lines: do I think the Star was wasting their time reporting on something like this? Sure. Do I think, despite my personal opinion, it's a legitimate news story? Yes.
And none of that changes the fact that Dale was on public land, taking pictures of public land, when he was confronted and allegedly cornered and threatened by the mayor of the city.
Regardless of your stance on the newsworthiness of the story to begin with, this blew up because of Ford's response and reaction. Otherwise it wouldn't be a front page story.