City of Toronto and Government of Canada highlight Ravine Strategy partnership

Highland Creek Ravine in Toronto

Today, Mayor John Tory was joined at Highland Creek Ravine by Member of Parliament for  Scarborough—Rouge Park Gary Anandasangaree, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, and Vijay Thanigasalam, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park on behalf of the Honourable Surma Kinga, Minister of Infrastructure to highlight the City of Toronto, Government of Canada and Province of Ontario partnership to enhance Toronto’s Ravine Strategy.

Multi-government collaboration and support are crucial to achieving the goals of the Ravine Strategy, which include protecting and restoring ravines for the benefit of all generations. The City is grateful for the support of the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario for its contributions to the Ravine Strategy. The contributions include providing resources for capital investment projects that allow the construction and enhancement of multi-use trails and operating funds to support tree planting and restoration of the urban forest.

Since 2020, the Government of Canada has provided $18.2 million towards the Ravine Strategy and the City of Toronto has contributed $39.8 million.

Key projects supported include:
•       Constructing a new trail connection from the Meadoway to Highland Creek Trail, creating a vibrant expanse of urban greenspace and meadowlands
•       Improving existing trails through Taylor Creek Park, Rowntree Mills Park, Centennial Park and the Scarborough Waterfront, including trail reconstruction and rehabilitation of pathway systems
•       The design and construction of the East Don Trail Phase 2b (Loop) and Phase 3, once completed, will create a trail connection from Lawrence Avenue East – to Lake Ontario
•       Installing new trail wayfinding signage in ravines at the East Don Trail, Upper Highland Trail, Meadoway, Upper Black Creek and Loop Trail, improving accessibility for ravine users
•       Enhancing existing entry points at three ravines across the city, including Edwards Gardens, to improve community access to green spaces
•       Protecting and restoring the trail at Highland Creek from erosion
•       Improving natural infrastructure in Priority Investment Areas by restoring wetlands at Cudmore Creek, Chester Springs, Upper Black Creek, Rowntree Mills, Morningside Park and Sunnybrook Park
•       A design to address the Mid-Humber gap that will create a safe, continuous, multi-use trail system both along the Humber River Trail and the future Loop Trail

Toronto’s ravine system is the city’s greatest natural asset, measuring more than 300 kilometres and 11,000 hectares. The city’s network of ravines has significant ecological value, are places where people seek active and passive recreation, house critical grey and green infrastructure and contribute significantly to the resilience of the city. They contribute $822 million in ecological and recreational services annually.

In 2020, City Council adopted Toronto’s Ravine Strategy implementation plan, outlining key actions and recommendations to protect, enhance and celebrate the city’s ravine system over the next 10 years. More detailed information on the City’s Ravine Strategy and its implementation can be found at: www.toronto.ca/ravinestrategy.

Quotes

“City Council and I strongly support significant investments in the Ravine Strategy, now and in the long term. I am committed to working with our federal partners to protect our ravines and invest in the city’s incredible and vast natural infrastructure. These investments will reap benefits for present and future generations.”
– Mayor John Tory

“Toronto’s ravines are a treasure as well as a fragile resource. Shaping their future requires collaboration and investment from all levels of government. We are all committed to cleaning up and protecting the city’s more than 300-km ravine system for the benefit of future generations.”
– Deputy Mayor and Councillor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre)

“Toronto’s expansive ravines filter and convey stormwater and are part of larger watershed systems. Ravines support a resilient city. They also inspire our imagination and capture the wonder of the city.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park)

“Investments in local infrastructure are critical to our communities’ well-being. Our investment in the Toronto Ravine Strategy project will provide Torontonians with improved access to trails, parks, and alternative transportation options. Together with the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario, we are creating more green spaces for Torontonians to enjoy with friends and family.”
– Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Rouge Park, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“Our government remains committed to supporting vibrant, strong communities as part of our plan to build Ontario. By investing in Toronto’s Ravine Strategy, we are supporting one of the world’s largest ravine networks and helping to deliver an active transportation infrastructure network that will benefit residents across the city. Together, with our partners, we are helping to build a stronger, healthier and more sustainable Ontario for generations to come.”
–  Vijay Thanigasalam, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park on behalf of the Honourable Surma Kinga, Minister of Infrastructure

SOURCE City of Toronto

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