Update Announcement
To access the Appendices to this ESR, please visit https://engageontarioplace.ca/documents/
This consultation was open from:
July 4, 2023
to September 2, 2023
Decision summary
As part of the redevelopment of Ontario Place, the Ministry of Infrastructure has completed the Category C Public Work Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Project for the future public spaces and parkland (the public realm). The Environmental Study Report (ESR) has been finalized and outlines the preferred design for the public realm at the site.
Decision details
Jacobs has made modifications to the draft Environmental Study Report (ESR), dated June 2023, for the Ontario Place Redevelopment Project Category C Public Work Class Environmental Assessment. Updates to this report were required to include the consideration of comments received during the 60-day comment period on the draft ESR from July 4, 2023 to September 2, 2023. The final ESR has incorporated these comments, where applicable.
The preferred public realm design meets the Project’s overall intent and vision by creating a world-class, year-round destination while respecting the needs of visitors (accessibility; inclusivity) and the natural environment (creating habitat; increasing greenspace).
The comments received did not result in significant modifications to the ESR and thus the changes can be made and the updated ESR can be considered the final version that addresses the requirements of the Public Work Class Environmental Assessment (MOI 2012) and completes the Category C process.
Effects of consultation
A total of 55 comment submissions were received from the public, stakeholders, technical agencies, and Indigenous Communities during the 60-day public comment period on the draft ESR. This includes 11 comments submitted directly through the ERO notice prior to the closing of the commenting period for the posting on July 4, 2023.
- Concerns that related to the preferred public realm design that had not previously been addressed in the draft ESR and resulted in design refinements include:
- Concerns about the location of the Cultural Pavilion in the Marina as the Marina is a busy location. Communities also expressed the desire for a year-round location
- Desire for further emphasis on active transportation
- Ensuring site-wide connections and accessibility, including to the water’s edge
Refinements to the preferred design were made as a result of the above comments.
A summary of key comments received and responses from the project team can be found in appendices to the final ESR
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
777 Bay Street
2nd Floor
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Tom McDonnell
777 Bay Street
2nd Floor
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Ontario Place Redevelopment Project
955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
The Government of Ontario is redeveloping Ontario Place to create a remarkable world-class, year-round destination that will include family-friendly entertainment, public and event spaces, parkland, and waterfront access.
The redevelopment of Ontario Place will include enhanced public spaces, as well as accessible programming and activities that will appeal to visitors of all ages. These experiences will be available across the site, united by a new design for the public spaces and parkland (the public realm), and site improvements.
Ontario Place was originally constructed in the late 1960s using urban fill from other construction projects in Toronto. The site, which opened in 1971, includes three artificially made islands and covers an approximate 155-acre area of land and water. In 2012, Ontario Place was decommissioned due to declining attendance and annual financial loses.
As part of the redevelopment, the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) has undertaken the Category C Public Work Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process for the future public spaces and parkland (the public realm) at Ontario Place. As a result of the Category C EA process, a preferred design for the site’s future public realm has been developed.
Preferred Undertaking
As part of the Ontario Place redevelopment project, MOI will undertake the following activities:
- Site preparations
- Site development
Site preparations led by MOI will be occurring across the entirety of Ontario Place with the exception of Trillium Park. Site development activities led by MOI will only occur within the public realm redevelopment lands that are subject to the Category C EA. Development work led by the private sector as part of the overall Ontario Place redevelopment will occur on tenanted lands outside the public realm boundaries.
The preferred design that has been identified for the redevelopment of the public realm includes:
- enhanced public spaces and parkland; increased publicly accessible waterfront;
- spaces for festivals, events and markets;
- recognition of culture and heritage, including opportunities for Indigenous Placekeeping;
- restoration of the pods and Cinesphere;
- construction of a new Ontario Science Centre building;
- surface and underground parking;
- a new transit hub;
- new aquatic habitat and wetlands;
- increased tree canopy coverage;
- new and improved multi-use trails for people to walk, run and bike; and
- recreational features.
The key types of activities included in the government-led scope of work includes:
- Planning approvals and realty activities
- Building decommissioning and removal
- Grading and landscaping
- Development of parks, trails and open spaces
- Shoreline repairs and flood mitigation
- Site access and parking (surface and underground parking lots)
- Construction of an all-new Ontario Science Centre facility (expanding into the existing Pod complex and Cinesphere)
- Construction of new buildings and supporting site infrastructure
Environmental Study Report
Infrastructure Ontario, on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI), has undertaken the Category C Public Work Class Environmental Assessment (EA) project for the future public spaces and parkland (the public realm) at Ontario Place. As a result of the Category C EA process, a preferred design for the site’s future public realm has been developed. A draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) is linked below and on www.EngageOntarioPlace.ca for a 60-day comment period, from July 4 to September 2, 2023.
The draft ESR documents the planning, design and consultation steps that were completed as part of the Class EA process, as well as presents the preferred design for the public realm. The redevelopment of the public realm at Ontario Place has been carried out in accordance with the Category C Public Work Class EA process, which is an approved planning process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.
The Final Environmental Study Report will take comments into consideration and is anticipated to be posted in Fall 2023.
Opportunities for Comment
Interested persons may provide written comments to our Project Team by September 2, 2023. All comments and concerns should be sent directly to:
Tom McDonnell
Manager, Planning and Development
Ontario Place Redevelopment Secretariat, Ministry of Infrastructure
777 Bay Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2J3
Email: EngageOP@Jacobs.com
In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e. requiring an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g. require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name and be received by September 2, 2023.
Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive EA), how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights, and any information in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request.
The request should be sent in writing or by email to:
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2J3
Email: minister.mecp@ontario.ca
Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 Saint Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto ON, M4V 1P5
Email: EABDirector@ontario.ca
Requests should also be copied to Tom McDonnell, Ministry of Infrastructure, by mail or by email (at the address shown above). Please visit the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks website for more information on requests for orders under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/class-environmental-assessments-part-ii-order
Notes
- Cet avis est disponible en français sur demande.
- If this information is required in an accessible format, please notify the Project contact identified above.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
777 Bay Street
2nd Floor
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from July 4, 2023
to September 2, 2023
Connect with us
Contact
Tom McDonnell
777 Bay Street
2nd Floor
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
11By email
44By mail
0