Scarborough Waterfront Project
Project information about this environmental assessment.
Current status
On September 13, 2019 the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the environmental assessment for this project.
Project summary
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority plans to create a system of greenspaces along the Lake Ontario shoreline in Toronto between Bluffer’s Park and East Point Park/Highland Creek.
The proposed project will:
- protect and enhance terrestrial and aquatic habitat
- improve the natural heritage system
- manage public safety and property risk
- provide an enjoyable waterfront experience
The project will also address problems identified during previous planning and erosion protection work, including:
- risk from erosion along the shoreline
- limited waterfront access and public space
- low habitat integrity
The environmental assessment study area is separated into three segments.
The west segment includes:
- the area between Bluffer’s Park and Meadowcliffe
- expansion of the existing beach waterline into Lake Ontario between Bluffer’s Park and Meadowcliffe
- extension to the existing armourstone headland at the east end near Meadowcliffe
- expansion to the existing headland at the west end of Bluffer’s Park and the inclusion of a small cobble beach
The central segment includes:
- the area between Meadowcliffe and Grey Abbey
- a new headland beach system at the base of the Doris McCarthy Trail, with two new headlands and the extension of an existing headland into the lake at the east end of the Meadowcliffe shoreline
- new headlands features at the Guild Park and Gardens area, with cobble beaches in-between
- a new headland to the east at the base of the existing Guild Park and Gardens construction access road
The east segment includes:
- the area between Grey Abbey and East Point Park/Highland Creek
- removal of the existing breakwater feature at the east end of the Guildwood Parkway shoreline protection section
- construction of a headland beach that extends to the east side of Grey Abbey Ravine
- moving the multi-use trail from the toe to the top of the bluffs at a new access point
A multi-use trail will run along all three segments at the toe and top of the bluffs.
Learn more on the Scarborough waterfront project website.
Proponent
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Location
Toronto/Scarborough
Type
Conservation authority
Reference number
14134
Contact
Cindy Batista, Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch
Project history
Environmental assessment: approved
Date submitted: June 15, 2018
Expiry of public comment period: August 3, 2018
Expiry of public comment period for ministry review: March 29, 2019
Decision date: September 13, 2019
Terms of reference: approved
Date submitted: June 5, 2015
Expiry of public comment period: July 6, 2015
Decision date: December 15, 2015
Environmental assessment
On June 15, 2018 the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) submitted the Scarborough waterfront project environmental assessment.
On September 7, 2018 TRCA amended the environmental assessment to:
- address comments received during the initial comment period
- provide an updated record of consultation with Indigenous communities
Read the amended environmental assessment.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (the ministry) prepared a review of the amended environmental assessment for public and agency comment. The ministry review was published for comment on February 22, 2019.
The ministry received comments for a five-week period until March 29, 2019. During this time, all interested government agencies, Aboriginal communities and members of the public were able to submit comments on the ministry review, amended environmental assessment and the undertaking to the ministry for consideration when making a decision.
On September 13, 2019, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, with Cabinet concurrence, granted approval to proceed with the project as described in the amended environmental assessment.
Read the Order in Council and notice of approval.
Notice of completion of ministry review
An invitation to comment on the environmental assessment for the proposed Scarborough waterfront project.
An amended environmental assessment has been submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for the undertaking, the Scarborough waterfront project in the City of Toronto.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has prepared a review of the amended environmental assessment for public and agency comment.
The review of the amended environmental assessment does not make a decision about the undertaking. That decision is made by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks after the comment period is over and consideration of all submissions.
You can submit comments on the undertaking, the amended environmental assessment, and the ministry review. You may also request a hearing by the Environmental Review Tribunal. If you request a hearing you must state in your submission, whether you are requesting a hearing on the whole application or on only specified matters related to the application.
How to get the information you need
You can inspect the amended environmental assessment and the ministry review during normal business hours at the following locations:
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Toronto District Office
5775 Yonge Street, 8th Floor
North York, Ontario
M2M 4J1
Copies are also available for viewing at the following locations:
Toronto City Clerk’s Office (Registry Services)
Toronto City Hall, 1st Floor West
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 2N2
TRCA Head Office
101 Exchange Avenue
Vaughan, Ontario
L4K 5R6
Cliffcrest Library
3017 Kingston Road
Toronto, Ontario
M1M 1P1
Guildwood Library
123 Guildwood Parkway
Toronto, Ontario
M1E 4V2
Morningside Library
4279 Lawrence Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario
M1E 2S8
Please ensure your written comments are received by March 29, 2019.
Send written comments to:
Director
Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5
Attention: Cindy Batista, Special Project Officer
E-mail: MOECC.EAPB.EA@ontario.ca
Tel: 416-314-7225 Toll-free: 1-800-461-6290 Fax: 416-314-8452
Be sure to express your views
If you make a submission or request a hearing before the above date, you will be notified of any decisions about this environmental assessment. Otherwise, the undertaking may proceed without further notice to you.
If no submissions or requests for a hearing are received, the undertaking may be approved with no further public notice. This will allow the undertaking to proceed.
Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in all submissions become part of the public record files for this matter and can be released, if requested, to any person.
Terms of reference
On December 15, 2015 the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change approved the terms of reference for the Scarborough waterfront project.
The terms of reference serves as a framework for:
- preparing and reviewing an environmental assessment
- carrying out public consultation