September 14, 2016
An important step was taken today towards the revitalization of Toronto’s eastern waterfront. The governments of Canada, Ontario and Toronto collectively promised to spend $65 Million to begin flood protection measures to protect the Port Lands.
The money will be spent remaking the Essroc quay, a key element in the plan to naturalize the mouth of the Don River, part of the broader initiative to redevelop the Port Lands.
The Expo 2025 Canada Steering Committee believes that the revitalization of the Port Lands is a far sighted urban renewal project that will ultimately deliver new neighbourhoods for our city, with much needed housing, parkland and transit. The joint announcement by Mayor John Tory, Federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi and Ontario Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli is a wonderful start.
“It’s thrilling to see three levels of government come together to enable something transformative like this,” said Expo Next co-chair Marcello Cabezas. “Young Torontonians like myself have always dreamed of a waterfront with global significance. This starts the journey and we are so thankful for this leadership.”
Expo Next Co-Chair Kendra Teale FitzRandolph added: “I believe that Toronto is leading the Renaissance movement in making great cities for the future. It is the innovative actions brought on by private public relationships such as this that will enhance the physical, visual and psychological access to the water while also protecting existing habitat and enhance the waterfront edge and site ecosystem.”
The Essroc Quay Lakefilling project will be led by Waterfront Toronto, which expects to begin work in mid-2017. More information on the project can be found here.