Queens Quay Environmental Assessment
A truly great waterfront begins with the transformation of Queens Quay, the waterfront’s main street. As the connecting spine for the waterfront, it spans 3.5 kilometres from Bathurst to Parliament streets.
The vision for Queens Quay that stemmed from the 2006 Central Waterfront Innovative Design Competition was bold and transformative. Realizing a project of this scale and importance required an extensive environmental assessment (EA) process to test alternatives and obtain public feedback.
In September 2007, Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto initiated a Municipal Class EA to revitalize Queens Quay. The Queens Quay Revitalization EA focused on the stretch of Queens Quay between Bathurst and Yonge Streets. In April 2010, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment completed a review of the Queens Quay EA and determined that the project may proceed without further study.
environmental assessment process
The Queens Quay Revitalization EA was conducted under Schedule C of the Municipal Class EA process. It followed a formal process which included data collection, the development of a problem statement and the identification and analysis of several different alternative planning solutions and design concepts. The assessment of design alternatives was undertaken jointly by the project proponents. Throughout the process, the potential environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts and benefits of each alternative were assessed.
public consultation
Public outreach for this project far exceeded the Municipal Class EA statutory requirements. Public consultation was a critical part of the decision-making process. Over the course of the project, three public meetings and one drop-in centre were held with between 250 – 500 participants attending each. Stakeholder meetings were conducted at key milestones and more than fifty focused landowner meetings were held as specific site issues arose.
During the EA, the project team solicited ideas and feedback from stakeholders and the general public and worked diligently to address concerns and issues. Public consultation continued to be a key part of the process throughout construction of the project.
environmental assessment process
The Queens Quay Revitalization EA was conducted under Schedule C of the Municipal Class EA process. It followed a formal process which included data collection, the development of a problem statement and the identification and analysis of several different alternative planning solutions and design concepts. The assessment of design alternatives was undertaken jointly by the project proponents. Throughout the process, the potential environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts and benefits of each alternative were assessed.
environmental study report
The Environmental Study Report (ESR) documents the evaluation and decision making process used to reach the recommendations of the study.
- Notice of completion of ESR for Queens Quay Revitalization EA (18/2009)
- Queen Quay Revitalization EA Environmental Study Report (18/2009)
- Appendix A – Queens Quay EA Consultation Report Appendices (18/2009)
- Appendix E – Transit and Traffic Operations Analysis Report (18/2009)
- Appendix I – Central Waterfront Secondary Plan (18/2009)
- DISPLAY PANELS: Queens Quay Revitalization EA (25/2009)
- Notice of Study Commencement – Queens Quay Revitalization EA (20/2007)
