City of Toronto Flood Protection Project – Funding Announcement

On October 30, 2020, the Government of Canada announced a commitment of a $19 million investment in reducing the impact of severe storms and flooding in Toronto’s Rockcliffe-Smythe neighbourhood. This approval comes following the successful review of the project under the terms and conditions of the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). The City of Toronto is contributing $28.5 million to the remaining costs of the project.

The Jane Street crossing improvement project involves expanding the Jane Street crossing over Black Creek. The existing crossing is undersized and results in flooding of Black Creek during extreme events. The project will reduce flooding in the Rockcliffe-Smythe neighbourhood by reconstructing the existing crossing to allow for increased conveyance capacity of Black Creek flood waters underneath. It is a critical component of a broader flood mitigation strategy for the area.

In recent years, the Rockcliffe-Smythe community, near Jane Street and Eglinton Avenue West, has been affected by heavy rains – the area has suffered from flooding during heavy downpours and flash floods. During heavy rain, the sewer systems and overland drainage routes, such as roads, local rivers and streams can become overloaded, which has led to basement flooding.

In response, the City has been working in collaboration with TRCA. Each has completed environmental studies of the area seeking options to reduce sewer system, overland and riverine flooding.