The Doug Ford government will assume responsibility for the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway from Toronto in an agreement aimed at addressing the city’s financial challenges.
This agreement provides Toronto with financial relief of up to $1.2 billion over three years, resolving a $1.5 billion shortfall in the 2024 budget.
The deal involves transferring the maintenance and repair costs of the two major highways to the provincial government, potentially providing a capital relief of $7.6 billion.
Premier Doug Ford has committed not to impose tolls on these two highways. The City of Toronto attempted to implement tolls on these expressways in 2016, but the move was blocked by the then Progressive Conservative government.
The agreement also grants the Ford government the authority to approve the redevelopment of Ontario Place, with the city relinquishing land ownership for the project.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow acknowledges the province’s authority over Ontario Place, stating that the debate will take place at Queen’s Park, not the city level.
The province plans to relocate the Ontario Science Centre to the waterfront as part of the Ontario Place redevelopment, maintaining a commitment to public science programs, with a focus on the community.
The new agreement allocates $330 million over three years to operate the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Finch West LRT, preventing potential indefinite delays in their operations.
The province commits $750 million for 55 new subway trains for Toronto’s Bloor-Danforth Line, based on appropriate federal support, and provides a one-time $300 million funding for public transportation safety projects.
In exchange for these provisions, Toronto agrees to meet or exceed the province’s housing targets, committing to build over 74,000 homes by 2025, focusing on transit-oriented density and continuing to achieve efficiency in delivering and procuring services.
