Government of Canada and City of Toronto Invest to Protect Waterfront Shoreline

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Member of Parliament for Beaches—East York, has announced that the Government of Canada will contribute $33.80 million in funding to Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) Toronto Waterfront Erosion Hazard Mitigation Project.

The announcement was made at an event today at Toronto’s Woodbine Beach.

Contributed as part of Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, this funding will allow TRCA to repair 80 existing shoreline erosion control structures along the Toronto waterfront.

The City of Toronto will also contribute $50.69 million to the project.

In total, the Toronto Waterfront Erosion Hazard Mitigation Project will protect priority sites across 10 kilometres of Toronto’s Lake Ontario Waterfront, including 13 parks, from flooding and severe storms.

TRCA and Government of Canada representatives at Toronto waterfront erosion funding announcement
City of Toronto Councillor Brad Bradford (third from the left), TRCA Director of Restoration and Infrastructure Moranne McDonnell (centre), Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Member of Parliament for Beaches—East York (third from the right) and Jennifer Innis (far right), Chair of TRCA’s Board of Directors, are joined by TRCA and City of Toronto staff members at the Toronto Waterfront Erosion Hazard Mitigation funding announcement.

From the Government of Canada News Release:

Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as erosion and flooding is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy and the middle class.

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Member of Parliament for Beaches—East York, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Jennifer Innis, Chair of the Board of Directors, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), today announced funding for the Toronto Waterfront Erosion Hazard Mitigation Project.

This project will rehabilitate 80 structural assets along the north shore of Lake Ontario, from Etobicoke to Scarborough. Major rehabilitation will enhance the resiliency of the Lake Ontario shoreline to endure ongoing erosion risks and the increased impact of flooding events.

Once complete, this project will ensure that parks, trails, beaches, navigation channels and essential municipal infrastructure are protected from current and predicted erosion threats. The project will increase the resilience of over 10 kilometres of Toronto’s Lake Ontario shoreline, including major community spaces like Bluffer’s Park, Ashbridges Bay Park and Colonel Sam Smith Park, benefiting both residents and visitors to Toronto’s waterfront.

The Government of Canada is investing over $33.7 million through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, and the City of Toronto is contributing more than $50.6 million.

“TRCA is committed to working with all levels of government to develop stronger and safer communities by repairing erosion damage and making the shoreline more resilient to future flooding and severe weather events. The generous funding contributed to the Toronto Waterfront Erosion Hazard Mitigation Project by Infrastructure Canada and the City of Toronto will allow TRCA to undertake necessary erosion protection and restoration works for priority sites across 10 kilometres of Toronto’s Lake Ontario Waterfront.” — John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, TRCA

READ THE FULL RELEASE.