Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Government of Ontario has announced plans to build six new transit-oriented communities, with about 6,000 new homes across Toronto and Scarborough.
Five of the transit-oriented-communities (TOCs) will be constructed along the future Ontario Line – at the Cosburn, Gerrard-Carlaw South, and Pape stations and will include affordable housing options and improve access to transit.
“We know the Greater Toronto Area needs more housing, and as part of the government’s plan to deliver an expanded transit network, we are seizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build vibrant, mixed-use communities that will bring more housing options, jobs, retail and commercial spaces, as well as community amenities, like parks and libraries, close to transit,” said Kinga Surma, minister of infrastructure. “These new communities will lower the cost of building infrastructure for taxpayers, while making it faster and easier for everyone to access public transit and everyday conveniences, right in their own neighbourhoods.”
Earlier this year, the province completed public engagement sessions on the proposed Gerrard-Carlaw North transit-oriented community, located at the future Gerrard Station on the Ontario Line. This transit-oriented community would deliver an additional 1,080 residential units and approximately 225 new jobs, with enhanced greenspace, a grocery store and other public amenities.
Development proposals are currently being reviewed by the City of Toronto. Following this review, the province will engage with the public, stakeholders, and Indigenous partners to gather feedback on the plans.
Transit-oriented communities help to build more housing, jobs and community amenities around transit to create vibrant, mixed-use communities.
In total, these transit-oriented communities planned across Ontario will create approximately 77,000 new jobs and approximately 48,000 new residential units, including affordable housing options.
On April 6, 2023, the Ontario government released its Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants plan to continue to take steps to tackle the housing supply crisis and meet its commitment to help communities across the province build at least 1.5 million homes by 2031.
Ontario, in partnership with the federal and municipal governments, is undertaking the largest subway expansion in Canadian history. This includes the all-new Ontario Line, a three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension, and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.
“With shovels in the ground on the all-new Ontario Line and Scarborough Subway Extension, our government is working at rapid speed to build the largest expansion of public transit in Canadian history,” said Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, minister of transportation. “We’re focused on making life easier for residents and commuters in the GTA, and by building more homes near public transit, we’re delivering on our plan to fight gridlock, create more economic opportunities and support thousands of good-paying jobs.”
