Coming to Council today!
MM40.40 - Starting Construction of the Waterfront East Rapid Transit Line in 2026 - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
Motion without Notice
Consideration Type: ACTION Wards: All
Attention
* This Motion has been deemed urgent by the Chair.
* This Motion is not subject to a vote to waive referral. This Motion has been added to the agenda and is before Council for debate.
April 23, 2026 - A communication was posted.
Recommendations
Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, recommends that:
1. City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission and Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront Toronto, to establish a governance model for the delivery of the Waterfront East Rapid Transit project.
2. City Council authorize the City Manager in consultation with relevant City Divisions, Toronto Transit Commission and Waterfront Toronto to:
a. design, procure and construct the following work packages either directly or through a third-party, including but not limited to Waterfront Toronto or the Toronto Transit Commission, or a combination thereof:
i. early works for Queens Quay East Extension from Street A to Cherry Street;
ii. early works for Queens Quay East Extension Reconstruction from Yonge Street to Street A; and
iii. Traction Power Substation building envelope and enabling infrastructure within the Quayside development.
b. either directly or through Waterfront Toronto or the Toronto Transit Commission, or a combination thereof to:
i. retain a construction manager to undertake general design and construction readiness for priority Waterfront East Rapid Transit scope elements; and
ii. complete the necessary environmental approvals, and advance design to 30% for rail tracks through the central waterfront.
3. City Council authorize an increase to the Transit Expansion Division’s 2026 Capital Budget of $70 million in project cost and associated cash flow, fully funded through recoverable debt supported by the City Building Fund, to advance the design and construction of the Waterfront East Rapid Transit project.
4. City Council authorize the City Manager, or designate, to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements, including amendments thereto, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, or designate, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, to facilitate the implementation of the works described above.
5. City Council authorize the City Manager, or designate, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to negotiate and execute any necessary agreements related to the Waterfront East Rapid Transit project with orders of government, including amendments thereto, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, or designate, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
6. City Council endorse changing this project’s name from Waterfront East Light Rail Transit to Waterfront East Rapid Transit Line.
Summary
In March, we secured a historic investment from the Provincial and Federal Governments to build the Waterfront East Rapid Transit Line - $2 billion to match the City’s $1 billion contribution. This motion provides the funding and authority needed to begin building the fully designed components of the Waterfront East Rapid Transit Line this year.
Waterfront East Rapid Transit is transformational new transit infrastructure that will help revitalize Toronto’s Eastern waterfront and the Port Lands, including Ookwemin Minising (formerly known as Villiers Island). It will support 75,000 homes and serve more than 150,000 people who will live and work along the eastern waterfront. When it’s built, we are expecting 50,000 daily riders.
Now that we have the funding commitment, we can advance the work on the new line. The motions below establish a governance model and authorizes the required funding and authorities to begin early work on this new transit line.
The reason for urgency is that we need to ensure construction can begin in the 2026 construction season.
Background Information
Member Motion MM40.40
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/mm/bgrd/backgroundfile-286368.pdf
