Summary of the evaluation of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative’s Port Lands Flood Protection Program

 

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Evaluation of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative’s Port Lands Flood Protection Project

 

The Port Lands Flood Protection (PLFP) project represents Phase 2 of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative (TWRI) and is a seven-year (2017 to 2024), tri-government project that focuses on flood protection and earthworks, infrastructure construction and public and park land creation and enhancements.

Between 2017-18 and 2023-24, INFC’s contribution to the PLFP project as well as the broader tri-government contribution are as follows:

 

Federal contribution: $384 million

Total funding: $1.185 billion

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There is a teal and white icon showing a piggy bank inside of a circle. It is next to a teal text box that says:
Federal contribution: $384 million
Total funding: $1.185 billion

 

Infrastructure Canada’s evaluation of the PLFP project examines the needs addressed by the project, the progress made towards project outcomes, the effectiveness and efficiency of the project’s four-party governance mechanism, which includes all three levels of government and Waterfront Toronto, as well as the inclusiveness of the project’s design and execution.

 

Key findings

Aerial view of the Port Lands, 2008

Photo credit: Waterfront Toronto

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The photograph depicts an aerial view of the Port Lands area and is dated 2008. The photograph is credited to Waterfront Toronto.

 

The PLFP project supports the Government of Canada's continued environmental priorities, with a focus on resilience.

The PLFP project is making progress toward its expected outcomes and on track to complete work by the end of the project in 2024.

 

Flood protection, brownfield remediation and river naturalization work is in progress and partially completed.

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There is a blue and white icon showing a mining cart on a track inside a circle. It is next to a teal text box that says: Flood protection, brownfield remediation and river naturalization work is in progress and partially completed.

 

Longer-term outcomes such as green infrastructure and green and public spaces are expected to be completed by the end of the project.

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There is a green and white icon showing a park bench with flowers and a lamp post inside a circle. It is next to a teal text box that says: Longer-term outcomes such as green infrastructure and green and public spaces are expected to be completed by the end of the project.

 

The evaluation found that Waterfront Toronto and project partners have managed and mitigated risks to project costs and timelines arising from unexpected challenges to the project, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four-party project delivery mechanism is an efficient and effective model given the PLFP project’s type, scale and complexity.

 

Governance committees, some which oversee the broader waterfront revitalization issues and some of which focus on the PLFP project specifically, support the project’s governance.

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There is a blue and white icon showing a building that has lines coming out of it connecting to images of people inside a circle. It is next to a teal text box that says: Governance committees, some which oversee the broader waterfront revitalization issues and some of which focus on the PLFP project specifically, support the project’s governance.

 

The PLFP project is leveraging extensive public and Indigenous engagement and best practices in order to create inclusive public spaces.

 

TWRI’s employment programs and initiatives have helped create employment and training opportunities on the PLFP project for unemployed and underemployed individuals.

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There is a grey and white icon showing a construction worker wearing a vest and hard hat inside a circle. It is next to a teal text box that says: TWRI’s employment programs and initiatives have helped create employment and training opportunities on the PLFP project for unemployed and underemployed individuals.

 

The project creates the foundation for future development plans that promise to include accessible and inclusive design.

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There is a grey and white icon showing a pencil and drawing of a house inside a circle. It is next to a teal text box that says: The project creates the foundation for future development plans that promise to include accessible and inclusive design.

 

The evaluation has no recommendations as findings were positive overall and no further action was required.