Landmark Agreement Between Ontario and Toronto Unveiled for City's Future
In a groundbreaking announcement, Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford revealed a historic deal between the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto during a joint press conference on Monday, signaling a pivotal moment for the city's evolution.
As a key element of the agreement, Toronto has granted the Province authority to streamline approvals for Ontario Place, with new legislation set to be introduced imminently. The Province will also have the capability to acquire land and water surrounding Ontario Place that may be essential for future redevelopment.
Part of the deal involves exploring the relocation of the publicly funded $500 million parking garage to Exhibition Place, enhancing public access to the shoreline. The Ontario Science Centre is slated to move to the waterfront, emphasizing collaboration between the Province and the City to maintain community science-based programming at the current site.
Mayor Chow expressed her stance on Ontario Place, emphasizing its status as a public park, but acknowledged that decisions regarding its future lie with the provincial government. The ongoing debate about Ontario Place's future is expected to take place at the provincial level.
The controversial redevelopment of Ontario Place's West Island into a large spa and waterpark, backed by a $650 million public investment and a 95-year lease to Therme, has sparked public outcry. The Office of the Auditor General is conducting an audit on the transformation, and advocacy group Ontario Place For All has sought an injunction to halt construction.
In addition to addressing the Ontario Place situation, the new deal outlines commitments from the City to meet or surpass the provincial housing target of constructing over 73,000 new homes by 2025. Premier Doug Ford highlighted the focus on building more housing near transit, including modular homes on surplus government lands. The City also pledged to expedite housing opportunities with Waterfront Toronto and accelerate existing development projects.
Described as a "game-changing historic" agreement, the deal allocates up to $1.2 billion in operating support for Toronto over the next three years. This funding will contribute to initiatives such as new homeless shelters, increased police presence on the TTC, and support for major transit projects like the Finch West and Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
Additionally, the Province is providing up to $7.6 billion in capital relief by taking over the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, with a promise from Ford that tolls will not be imposed on these critical roadways.
