Dear neighbours,

When Oxford announced its plans for Canada Square, at the start we were all impressed by how much open space there was, but also somewhat rueful that the scheme “paid” for that amenity with five soaring towers, one of them far taller than E-condo. 

Dear neighbours,

When Oxford announced its plans for Canada Square, at the start we were all impressed by how much open space there was, but also somewhat rueful that the scheme “paid” for that amenity with five soaring towers, one of them far taller than E-condo. 

Then we began to think harder: our Midtown is growing so fast, and amenities and services have not at all kept pace. And the last thing we really need up here is 2700 new apartments. After all, this land, unlike most land here, belongs to the city, and it is a big plot, at the very intersection of two rapid transit lines. So it is our last chance to fill our many gaps and help make Yonge and Eglinton work well.

So can we not do better?

Thus began a discussion, among citizens, and a push with our three local councillors to slow things down. With their help, in late winter, the city set up a working group: seven Residents’ Associations, plus the Federation of North Toronto RA’s [FoNTRA], two condos, a BIA, a tenant’s association, and two TDSB board members. We had support from city staff, who attended every meeting. We held five meetings, all on screens, remarkably harmonious, creative, and up-beat, and, at the hand of the facilitator, drafted an eloquent report, to be released in about ten days. When it comes out, we will send it to you at once, and also post it on the EPRA website.

The central ideas:

1. Canada Square should be a magnet, not just a mere place to change trains and go south. Its reach should be not local, but city-wide.
2. It will need ample open space, relaxing, interesting and attractive.
3. We all need, urgently, a K-8 public school.
4. We also need affordable housing, in ample supply in the housing that does go up, but that housing should make up only 20% of the built space.
5. Canada Square should have spaces for the arts, for assembly, and for social services.
6. It should also incubate innovation, with jobs in the new economy that fit the many skills of residents here.
7. A branch of a post-secondary institution would attract and anchor innovation and support the arts.
8. All construction should be as “green” as possible.
9. Canada Square should have a governing commission, like the one for Harbourfront, to steer development.

This plan neither presumes nor excludes a role for Oxford, the current developer. We are sending it to Toronto’s chief planner, with the understanding that he will write a report, for submission to the city’s Planning and Housing Committee. We are requesting from them that the city instruct its officials to evaluate its many implications: financial, legal, administrative, and material.

This is not at all the end of the story: if our plan makes headway, expect a long and lively consultation with us citizens in the thick of it.

EPRA