The Ontario government is forging ahead with plans to develop transit-oriented communities at two locations along Toronto’s Ontario Line subway.

The government announced on April 12 that it has initiated discussions and shared preliminary design plans with the City of Toronto to build the communities at the future East Harbour Transit Hub and Corktown Station. The city has launched its review of the proposals, and the province says it will host consultations with local communities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders starting this summer.

"We are making it easier to build critical transit projects faster and to develop complete communities focused on connecting people and places," said Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA). "Ontario is leading the province's first transit-oriented communities program that will bring more housing, jobs, and community and recreational spaces within walking distance of new subway stations and reliable, efficient transit."

Preliminary concepts for the East Harbour site call for the 38-acre site to host a range of residential space and community amenities surrounding a multi-modal hub that would bring GO rail and SmartTrack station services, Ontario Line subway service and a future TTC streetcar extension. The cite could become major employment centre, hosting more than 50,000 jobs.

The Corktown Station site consists of two blocks: the First Parliament site and the block directly to the north of Front Street. Both have been designated as transit-oriented community sites.

The sites would host a mix of new housing, commercial, retail and community spaces such as a library, and be connected to the Ontario Line subway and TTC bus and streetcar services. The province has said it will also work closely with the City of Toronto to commemorate the significance of the site as the host of Canada's first Parliament between 1795 and 1824.

Infrastructure Ontario will act as the procurement authority for both projects. The agency is currently working with the City of Toronto on both projects as well as owner/developer Cadillac Fairview for the East Harbour site.

In February 2020 the province and the City of Toronto established a joint commitment to seek transit-oriented opportunities based on stated objectives that deliver needed critical infrastructure projects at a lower cost to taxpayers.

In July 21, the province passed its Transit-Oriented Communities Act that enables the construction of vibrant communities centred around transit stations along the routes of the province’s four priority subway projects.

"Our government is committed to working together with our municipal partner, the City of Toronto, and landowners to deliver critical transit solutions, while also supporting other essential infrastructure needs in the city," said Surma. "Together, we will bring to life a shared vision for these future subway stations, providing new opportunities for people to live, work and play close to environmentally friendly rapid transit."

The First Parliament site proposal came under fire earlier this year when the province informed the City of Toronto in January that it would expropriate the site for the construction of the Ontario Line.

Although the site, which is located at the intersection of Front Street East and Parliament Street, has been historically significant for thousands of years, it currently hosts parking lots, a car dealership and a car wash.