Building communities around transit

Ontario is taking a bold, new, innovative approach to city building. The province is bringing faster, more reliable and seamless transit to the Greater Golden Horseshoe by expanding the GO transit network and delivering four new priority subway projects — the largest subway expansion in Canadian history.

Transit-Oriented Communities Program

The Transit-Oriented Communities Program will build vibrant, mixed-use communities that will bring more housing (including affordable housing options), jobs, retail, public amenities and entertainment within a short distance of transit stations. These transit-oriented communities, and other transit development opportunities, will be located along the province’s four subway projects, GO Transit and Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects.

The Transit-Oriented Communities Program will:

  • increase transit ridership and reduce traffic congestion
  • increase housing supply (including affordable housing) and jobs
  • stimulate the economy through major projects
  • bring retail and community amenities (for example, community centres) within a short distance of public transit stations
  • offset the cost of station construction, which would save taxpayers’ money

Benefits of transit-oriented communities are subject to negotiations and determined on a site-by-site basis with input from the local municipality, the public and Indigenous partners.

Proposed transit-oriented communities

We’re proposing transit-oriented communities across the Greater Toronto Area:

Subway expansion projects

Corktown

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A rendering of Corktown station

The proposed transit-oriented community at the future Corktown Station would connect local bus, streetcar and subway service on the future Ontario Line and deliver approximately 1,490 residential units, including affordable units, 3,350 jobs, and commercial, retail and community space, while commemorating the history of the First Parliament site.

East Harbour

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A map of the East Harbour transit-oriented community

The proposed transit-oriented community at the 38-acre East Harbour site would include the creation of a major employment centre expected to bring more than 50,000 jobs to the area, approximately 4,000 residential units, including affordable units, and community amenities surrounding a transit hub — connecting GO Train, Ontario Line subway service and streetcar service.

Bridge

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The proposed transit-oriented community at Bridge Station

The proposed transit-oriented community at Bridge Station on the future Yonge North Subway Extension will deliver approximately 9,000 jobs and 20,000 residential units, including affordable units, as well as commercial, retail and community spaces.

High Tech

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The proposed transit-oriented community at High Tech Station

The proposed transit-oriented community at High Tech Station will be served by the future Yonge North Subway Extension service, GO regional service, VIVA Rapid Transit and the encompassing major highways, while delivering approximately 20,000 residential units, including affordable units, and 9,000 jobs, along with community and public spaces.

Exhibition

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The proposed transit-oriented community at Exhibition Station

The proposed transit-oriented community would transform Exhibition Station into a connected transit hub with approximately 570 residential units, including affordable units, and 1,350 jobs, as well as office and retail space. Transit riders will be able to connect to GO Transit, TTC services and the future Ontario Line subway, making it more convenient to get to sporting events, concerts and Liberty Village.

Queen-Spadina

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The proposed transit-oriented community at Queen-Spadina Station

The proposed transit-oriented community at the future Queen-Spadina Station would support a vibrant community and provide approximately 220 residential units, including affordable units, and 60 jobs, as well as retail space for businesses, while taking into consideration the heritage components of the site. Transit riders will have convenient access to transit, including the TTC streetcar and the future Ontario Line service.

King-Bathurst

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The proposed transit-oriented community at King-Bathurst Station

The proposed transit-oriented community at the future King-Bathurst Station would support the local neighbourhood by connecting to TTC streetcar service and the future Ontario Line service and add approximately 420 residential units, including affordable units, up to 90 jobs, and office space, while also taking into consideration the heritage components of this site.

Gerrard-Carlaw North

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The proposed transit-oriented community at Gerrard-Carlaw

The proposed transit-oriented community at the future Gerrard Station on the future Ontario Line will connect transit users to local TTC bus, streetcar and subway service. This would create approximately two acres of public space, including access to retail, a grocery store and other amenities, while adding approximately 1,080 residential units, including affordable units, 225 jobs, and a new public park with almost one acre of parkland.

Gerrard-Carlaw South

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The proposed transit-oriented community at Gerrard-Carlaw South.

The proposed Gerrard-Carlaw South transit-oriented community, located at the south side of the future Gerrard Station, would deliver approximately 1,310 new residential units, including affordable units, and approximately 460 jobs. 

It would also bring new office, retail, and general commercial space to the heart of a major transit station that is connected to the new Ontario Line subway, as well as TTC streetcar and bus services.

Cosburn

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

The proposed transit-oriented community at the future Cosburn Station on the Ontario Line would create approximately 620 new residential units, including affordable units, more than 50 new jobs, and new retail space. 

It would also include significant improvements to the streetscape and public spaces, including enhanced sidewalk zones with new landscaping and street furniture to create spaces for people to take a break and gather along Pape Avenue.

Eastern Avenue

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

The proposed Eastern Avenue transit-oriented community, located near the future East Harbour Transit Hub, would create approximately 140 new residential units, including affordable units, while also increasing employment opportunities. 

The proposed transit-oriented community would provide convenient pedestrian and cyclist access to the future East Harbour Transit Hub. This new SmartTrack GO Station and interchange station will connect thousands of daily commuters to downtown and across the Greater Toronto Area by supporting, GO Trains, the Ontario Line, and future TTC Light Rail Transit.

Pape

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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.

The proposed transit-oriented community at the future Pape Station would include new retail and office space, creating approximately 55 jobs and 440 new housing units, including affordable units. Residents and community members will benefit from direct, convenient, and accessible connections to the new Ontario Line subway, the existing Bloor-Danforth subway and TTC bus services.

The proposed transit-oriented community at the future Thorncliffe Park Station would deliver up to 2,660 residential units, including affordable units, approximately 980 new jobs and increased retail and commercial space. The community would also include enhanced public spaces and a transit plaza, providing easy access to the Ontario Line subway.

Lawrence East

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

The proposed transit-oriented community at the Lawrence and McCowan Station, on the Scarborough Subway Extension, would deliver approximately 770 residential units, including affordable units, approximately 350 new jobs, and new retail and office space.

Residents and the surrounding community would also benefit from more greenspace and a new park. Opportunities have been built into the transit station design to permit pedestrian connections to a transit plaza. The future transit-oriented community offers a drop-off area and underground parking facility and will offer quick and easy access to the Lawrence and McCowan Station.

Partnerships and community engagement

Ontario is working with Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx to deliver transit-oriented communities at or near new subway stations, GO stations, and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stops. The province provides oversight to Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx, the agency partners working to deliver these transit projects.


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The Ontario logo

We’re leading a multibillion-dollar public transit expansion plan in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond across the GO transit network. This includes the subway expansion plan that will support multi-purpose, vibrant communities through Ontario’s Transit-Oriented Communities Program.

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The Infrastructure Ontario logo

Infrastructure Ontario is responsible for the development and delivery of the Transit-Oriented Communities Program, leading negotiations with private sector partners and supporting the province’s engagement with municipalities, the public and Indigenous communities.

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The Metrolinx logo

Metrolinx is responsible for leading transit project planning and delivery for the four priority subways, the provincial LRT projects and the entire GO transit service network. 


Infrastructure Ontario, Metrolinx, and private partners have been and will continue to collaborate with all parties involved (province, builders, municipalities, and the local community), to deliver new, modern subways and transit-oriented communities at a lower cost to the taxpayer. The province has signed formal agreements with the City of Toronto and York Region that establish common principles and ensures collaboration to enable the expansion and modernization of the subway network across the GTA, including transit-oriented communities.

Learn more about the Ontario-Toronto Transit Partnership and the Ontario-York Region Transit Partnership.

Public consultation is an important part of the process. Please continue to monitor this webpage for details on upcoming public consultations.