On October 20, 2000, Prime Minister and the Federal Transport Minister, together with the Premier of Ontario, and the Mayor of Toronto, announced the Government of Canada’s commitment of $500 million to fund the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization with a priority to projects required for the Olympic and Paralympic bid. The province of Ontario and City of Toronto committed equal amounts.

On July 13, 2001, the International Olympic Committee announced that Beijing will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2008.

The Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation, chaired by Robert Fung, has been established to begin the implementation of this initiative. Mr. Fung led the task force that designed a plan to revive Toronto’s waterfront. 

The Corporation has begun work on four projects, which represent $300 million of the $1.5 billion total commitment from the three levels of government. They are:

• an expansion and improvement of public transit facilities at Union Station;
• environmental assessment of, and design work to, transform the mouth of the Don River;
• environmental improvements to former industrial land in the Port Lands and West Don Lands area; and,
• an extension of Front Street from Bathurst to Dufferin Streets. 

In addition to the four projects, the Corporation is also responsible for preparing a development plan and business strategy for the initiative to be submitted to the three levels of government for approval.

The federal, provincial and municipal governments are equal partners in this project, and have established a steering committee composed of senior representatives of each government. 

The objective of the initiative is a renewed waterfront that will enhance Toronto’s economic viability, social development, transportation system, housing development, and environmental sustainability. It will result in a clean, green, vital, accessible, and physically beautiful area that can be enjoyed by city residents and welcome visitors from Canada and around the world.

This site includes information regarding the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Project as well as links to other Toronto Waterfront related sites

Speeches

• Speaking Notes for Transport Minister David Collenette re: Toronto Waterfront Revitalization, Interim Corporation Announcement and News Conference, Toronto, Ontario - March 5, 2001

News Releases

Office of the Prime Minister

• Prime Minister Announces $500 Million for Toronto Olympic Bid and Waterfront Revitalization - October 20, 2000

Transport Canada

• New Development Strategy for revitalization of Toronto waterfront - October 17, 2002
• Robert Fung Top Choice to Head Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation - July 4, 2001
• Minister Collenette Welcomes IOC Evaluations of Toronto Olympic 2008 bid - May 15, 2001
• Transport Minister Announces Four Projects to Begin Toronto Waterfront Revitalization - March 5, 2001
• Government of Canada Reaffirms Commitment to 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Revitalization of the Toronto Waterfront - August 24, 2000
• Minister Collenette Receives the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Task Force Report - March 27, 2000

Canadian Heritage

• IOC Announces Beijing Will Host 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games - July 13, 2001
• Toronto Short-listed for the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics - August 28, 2000

Canadian Tourism Commission

• Government of Canada Supports Olympic Bids  - April 6, 2001

Backgrounders

• Front Street Extension will Alleviate Traffic Congestion within Residential
• Subway Platform Expansion to move more People Through Union Station, Quickly and Safely
• Neighbourhoods and Waterfront Corridors Waterfront Revitalization will restore Mouth of Don River to Clean, Green, Accessible Area
• New Public/Private Corporation will Revitalize Toronto's Waterfront 
• Waterfront Revitalization will Breathe New Life into Toronto's Port Lands and West Don Lands

Related Links

• Toronto Port Authority
• Sport Canada
• Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Task Force Report

Some material originates with organizations not subject to the Official Languages Act and is available on this site in the language in which it was written.