Why we need transit-oriented communities
The Ontario government is taking a new approach to city-building that in many ways is innovative and revolutionary.
We are setting out to create transit-oriented communities across the Greater Toronto Area.
These complete communities will help us preserve and enhance our quality of life. Imagine a future where people can affordably live, work and play in one connected place.
A place where a young family could drop off and pick up their child from daycare minutes from their home and within walking distance of fast, rapid transit — making their commutes to work, grocery stores, restaurants, outdoor recreation and cultural attractions seamless, affordable and stress-free.
A place where seniors could downsize and enjoy vibrant pedestrian and transit-supportive communities that serve all their needs — with ease of access to essential services like doctor’s appointments, pharmacies and grocery stores.
Our government has committed $28.5 billion to expand the Greater Toronto Area’s subway system by 50 per cent, the largest subway expansion in Canadian history. Our plan is delivering more than just connections, it is changing our way of life for the better.
Through a thoughtful planning approach, we’ve chosen to create vibrant community projects with housing, jobs and public open spaces integrated at our transit stations. People want to live near transit, so it only makes sense to integrate housing options, retail and community amenities as part of the transit planning and delivery process.
The logic behind this direction is simple: we can no longer plan and construct new subways with standalone station boxes. Transit is a catalyst and we must seize this incredible opportunity to develop thriving, convenient and attractive communities around transit.
We truly have a once-in-a-generation chance to do things differently and address the GTA’S transit and critical infrastructure needs through an approach that is broader and bolder.
As the minister leading the creation of the province’s first transit-oriented communities program, I realize that any strong policy needs diligent analysis and dialogue. Over the past two years, we have sought out transit, housing and planning experts right here in Ontario to help inform and guide our critical early work on program design. Ontario’s talented pool of housing advocates, business leaders, city builders and urban planners have contributed to the foundation of the program that we have today.
But we haven’t stopped there. In fact, I have extended the reach of our government’s fact-finding discussions to jurisdictions across the world. We first engaged with world-class transit agencies from Washington, D.C., Taipei, Sydney, Japan, Vancouver and London.
Despite their differences, each transit system identified three principles of success: thoughtful planning, ongoing public engagement and commitment to outcomes.
I can assure you our government’s commitment to better outcomes is unwavering. This means achieving milestones and being as efficient and collaborative as possible to get shovels in the ground.
Our next move? Continuing to work with our municipal partners and engaging the public. After all, people in the GTA will help drive the distinct design of these transit-oriented communities. Through consultations, we will make a shared vision of transit and transit-oriented communities a reality that will benefit people for generations to come.
I have always said the key to this program’s success is meaningful community consultations and I am looking forward to beginning consultations on our first two stations: East Harbour, a multi-model hub, “Union Station to the east” and Corktown this summer and fall.
We now have an opportunity to shape a better future together — a future with an enhanced quality of life for individuals, families and workers across the GTA.