The provincial government announced today that tunnelling has officially begun for the downtown segment of the Ontario Line. Two tunnel boring machines are about to begin digging twin tunnels which will run six kilometers from the launch shaft near Exhibition Station to the Don Yard, just west of the lower Don River.

In the same announcement, Metrolinx confirmed the new names chosen for several downtown stations “that better reflect well-known Toronto neighbourhoods.”

• Corktown will be known as Distillery District;
• King-Bathurst will be known as King West,
• Queen-Spadina as Chinatown, and
• Riverside-Leslieville as Leslieville.

March 30, 2026 | TORONTO, ON — The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario today announced their commitment to a cost-sharing agreement alongside the City of Toronto to advance Waterfront East Transit — a landmark commitment to unlock housing, connect communities, and drive economic growth along Toronto’s eastern waterfront.  

More than a transit project, Waterfront East Transit is a critical piece of infrastructure needed to help revitalize Toronto’s Eastern waterfront. By extending higher-order transit across the eastern waterfront to the Port Lands at the new Island called Ookwemin Minising, the project will unlock new neighbourhoods, connect people to jobs and destinations, and provide the certainty needed to deliver thousands of new homes.

Waterfront East Transit will ultimately support approximately 75,000 homes, helping to address Toronto’s housing needs while enabling long-term growth for the city, region, and country.

The project will serve more than 150,000 people who will live and work along the eastern waterfront and accommodate over 50,000 daily riders, connecting into a broader transportation network that includes new roads, trails, bridges, and streetcars, integrated with other major public transit hubs.  

Public investment in enabling infrastructure delivers economic growth. Alongside the recently announced $975 million tri-government investment in enabling housing infrastructure on the waterfront, Waterfront East Transit is expected to create more than 100,000 jobs and generate more than $13.2 billion in economic value, delivering lasting economic impact locally, provincially, and nationally.

Today is another advancement in the continued commitment of all three levels of government to work together to deliver the infrastructure required to build connected, inclusive, and complete communities on Toronto’s waterfront. 

Source: Waterfront Toronto​

​​The park block between Lower Jarvis Street and George Street and the park block between Lower 
Sherbourne Street and Princess Street, is planned to close as of March 16, 2026, to prepare for the first 
phase of construction at David Crombie Park. The closure date is subject to change based on weather 
and site conditions. Street access will remain open.

Construction at David Crombie Park will begin in March 2026 and proceed in phases to allow the 
community to continue using most park spaces and pathways throughout the project. The overall project 
is anticipated to be complete in 2028.

During construction, nearby residents can expect typical construction-related impacts, including noise, 
construction activity, and temporary changes to pedestrian circulation. Access to building lobbies and 
residential entrances will be maintained at all times. Where short-term detours are required, clear signage 
will be installed and maintained to help guide pedestrians safely around the work zone.

For more project information: toronto.ca/DavidCrombiePark

Waterfront Toronto is excited to share a new immersive experience that brings into focus the transformation of public spaces happening around Quayside. 

This interactive experience highlights how work today is setting the foundation for new homes, future transit, and a vibrant, people‑first community. Take a look and discover how today’s progress is building tomorrow’s waterfront. 

Link: https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/qipr-experience/

​Note: the animation is accessible with embedded transcripts and was created without sound.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
[Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.]
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.

Wear orange
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is a commemorative day led by Indigenous communities to raise awareness about the intergenerational impacts of residential schools on children, families, and communities. It honours Indigenous children who were lost in the residential school system.
The orange shirt symbolizes the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem that many Indigenous children experienced. This day reminds us that “Every Child Matters”.
On September 30, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

Celebrate at Nathan Phillips Square, September 29 and 30
Join the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre for the Annual Indigenous Legacy Gathering , a vibrant, free celebration of Indigenous culture, community and intergenerational connection held at Nathan Phillips Square on September 29 and 30. All are welcome to attend.
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Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its calls to action
There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and 1996. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harm caused. Their efforts culminated in:

• the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
• apologies by the government
• the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• the creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.