Ontario Building More Homes in Toronto Near Transit

Province creating transit-oriented communities along new priority subway lines

October 19, 2023

Infrastructure

Table of Contents

  1. Content
  2. Quick Facts
  3. Quotes
  4. Additional Resources

TORONTO — The Ontario government is planning to build approximately 5,900 new residential units near six future transit stations along the Ontario Line subway and Scarborough Subway Extension. The proposed transit-oriented communities will also include affordable housing options while improving access to transit and creating over 1,900 jobs.

“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.”

The province is proposing five transit-oriented communities on the Ontario Line, including the Eastern Avenue transit-oriented community, located near the future East Harbour Transit Hub and the Gerrard-Carlaw South, Pape, Cosburn and Thorncliffe Park transit-oriented communities. The government is also proposing to build the first transit-oriented community on the Scarborough Subway Extension, close to the Lawrence and McCowan Station.

Earlier this year, the province also 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.

The development proposals for the six new transit-oriented communities 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.

Quick Facts

  • Transit-oriented communities help to build more housing, jobs and community amenities around transit to create vibrant, mixed-use communities.
  • Ontario is currently working to deliver transit‐oriented communities at eight other future stations along the new Ontario Line and Yonge North Subway Extension. In total, these transit-oriented communities 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.
  • The transit-oriented communities model has been implemented successfully in many other jurisdictions around the world, including Vancouver (Canada), London (England), Sydney (Australia), San Francisco Bay Area (California), Washington (District of Columbia), and Tokyo (Japan).

Quotes

“Our government is taking action to ensure that unique housing needs are met all across Ontario. Bringing more housing, including affordable housing options, within a short distance of transit supports the work we are doing to tackle the housing supply crisis and ensure growth is aligned with our investments in critical infrastructure.”

– Paul Calandra
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

“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. 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.”

– Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria
Minister of Transportation

Additional Resources

Media Assets

Cosburn

Draft concept of the proposed Cosburn transit-oriented community at the intersection of Pape Avenue and Cosburn Avenue, looking northwest.

Eastern Avenue

Draft concept of the proposed Eastern Avenue transit-oriented community, looking north.

Gerrard-Carlaw South

Draft concept of the the open public space on the north side of the proposed Gerrard-Carlaw South transit-oriented community.

Pape

Draft concept of the public space along Lipton Avenue at the proposed Pape transit-oriented community, with a pedestrian connection to Danforth Avenue, looking southeast.

Thorncliffe Park

Draft concept of the public space and transit plaza at the proposed Thorncliffe Park transit-oriented community.

Lawrence East

Conceptual design of the proposed Lawrence East transit-oriented community.