February 21, 2002 – Citizens shape Toronto's new waterfront

On February 20, approximately 70 organizational representatives and individuals shared their views on waterfront renewal at the first of quarterly public meetings hosted by the City of Toronto Waterfront Reference Group.

"The citizens of Toronto are clearly passionate about waterfront renewal, an initiative that promises enormous social, environmental and economic benefits for all," said Councillor Joe Pantalone, Chair of the Waterfront Reference Group and Planning and Transportation Committee. "The tremendous turnout shows the public is keen to take advantage of opportunities like these to shape the future of this city."

Representatives of community associations and cultural, heritage and environmental groups deputed, as did members of waterfront-based industries and associations. The public commented widely on waterfront renewal, including the Central Waterfront Plan Making Waves: Principles for Building Toronto's Waterfront.

Since the release of the Central Waterfront Plan on October 9, 2001, dozens of public forums and roundtables have been held across the city. The major themes identified in response to the Central Waterfront Plan by more than 1,600 citizens were also presented to the Reference Group. Public views focused on the future of the City Centre Airport, transportation and transit, environmental remediation and land use. The plan will be reviewed in light of the public feedback before it is presented to Council this fall. A report to a joint Planning and Transportation Committee and Economic Development and Parks Committee will address the compatibility of the proposed expansion of the City Centre Airport and waterfront renewal.

The municipal, provincial and federal governments announced plans to renew Toronto's waterfront in 1999 and have since committed a total of $1.5 billion to the initiative. City Council approved the creation of the Reference Group on May 31, 2001 as part of the governance structure for waterfront renewal. Reporting to the Policy and Finance Committee, the group reviews the plans of the Revitalization Corporation on Council's behalf to ensure co-ordination with the City's waterfront-related businesses and advises departments and agencies, standing committees of Council and City Council. The Reference Group will consult quarterly with the public on waterfront renewal.