Ontario Line

For more information about the Ontario Line, please visit the Metrolinx Ontario Line page.

Project Background

In April 2019, the Ontario Line was announced as part of the 2019 Provincial Budget. The project has been identified as the sole responsibility of Metrolinx in the Getting Ontario Moving Act (Bill 107) and O. Reg. 248/19. According to the 2019 Provincial Budget, this project has an in-service date of 2027.

Current Project Status

Project planning and design is being led by Metrolinx and is currently underway.

City staff assessment of the proposed project was included in EX9.1 Toronto-Ontario Transit Update, a report to City Council in October 2019. Read the City and TTC Assessment of the Ontario Line.

City Expectations

The City and TTC will be working with Metrolinx so that the following key expectations of this project are met:

  • Providing a design capacity for the Ontario Line of at least 34,000 passengers per hour per direction at the peak point (pphpd) and opening day capacity for at least 20,000 pphpd.
  • Per the Initial Business Case demand projection, reducing the projected 2041 demand on Line 1 to no more than 36,000 pphpd of the line.
  • Providing new interchange stations with Lines 1, 2 and 5, and GO Transit.
  • Minimizing impacts to existing City and TTC infrastructure and facilities and not causing design alterations or schedule delays to planned capital infrastructure projects, including Lower Don flood mitigation measures and the Gardiner Rehabilitation Project.
  • Putting in appropriate measures to mitigate impacts on the local community, such as property, noise, vibration, traffic, and visual intrusion, including in such areas as Riverdale/Leslieville and Thorncliffe Park.
  • Demonstrating consistency with the City’s planning framework, including locating stations in areas where the Official Plan directs population and employment growth, with land use designations in the station area that support the development of this growth, benefiting the natural and cultural heritage environments, improving the public realm, achieving architectural and urban design excellence, and being resilient to climate change.
  • Providing convenient and safe passenger movement with connecting bus and streetcar routes, while integrating facilities identified by TTC to deliver effective and flexible transit service.