Key objectives include:
- Create up-to-date understanding of the environmental conditions, wildlife and ecosystems on site, and follow best practices that protect future users of the site and environment.
What is the condition of soil and groundwater on the site?
Ontario Place was constructed using urban fill, a soil matrix that contains other materials such as brick, cement, and coal. This was common practice at the time, but we now know that it is often impacted with low levels of contamination.
To better understand the conditions on site, the province is undertaking soil and groundwater investigations. This involves drilling narrow boreholes at various locations across the site. Soil is sampled at different depths and wells are installed to allow groundwater to be sampled. These samples determine the presence or absence of contamination.
We will use a risk-management approach to ensure the site is safe for development. Risk management measures may include things like specific types of construction or “capping” the site under a layer of clean soil or a hard material such as concrete. The province is applying best practices to address any contamination on site, and is working with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to meet statutory requirements (for example ‘record of site condition’), where applicable.
What is a record of site condition?
A record of site condition (RSC) is a process managed by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to document that a specific property does not have soil or groundwater contamination that exceeds the established criteria for the site and can be considered safe for the proposed property use.
What is a risk assessment?
A risk assessment scientifically examines the risk posed to humans, plants, wildlife and the natural environment from exposure to a contaminant. The purpose of a risk assessment is to develop property specific standards that will protect the uses that are being proposed to take place on the property.
What are risk management measures?
Risk management measures are actions that can be taken at a site to reduce the risk of exposure to a contaminant. Examples include isolating the contamination by sealing it under pavement or clean soil, preventing the use of groundwater for drinking water, and using specialized construction techniques.
What is being done to protect the site’s ecology?
It is important to understand the ecosystem and its components before starting construction at Ontario Place. To establish a baseline understanding of the site, the province completed numerous ecological investigations. These included environmental analysis, Species at Risk surveys, building and structural habitat assessments, arborist reports, aquatic surveys, and wildlife survey work. Further studies are underway and have been completed throughout 2023 to identify current conditions and help mitigate any potential impact of the redevelopment.
Current status
A Natural Heritage Impact Study (NHIS) has been completed for the East Island, West Island, and Mainland areas at Ontario Place. The potential impacts and mitigation measures outlined in the NHIS have been used to help develop the design to ensure we are meeting the overall naturalization goals and objectives of the Project. Some of these include:
- Increasing tree canopy cover
- Promoting biodiversity and rich wildlife habitat using native and resilient planting
- Creating additional and better aquatic habitat by establishing a naturalized shoreline edge
Species at Risk surveys have been undertaken to confirm the presence or absence of Barn Swallows, Species at Risk bats and American Eel. Acoustic surveys have confirmed that there are no Species at Risk bats. Bird exclusion measures are currently in place to ensure the protection of migratory birds, their eggs and nests according to the Migratory Birds Convention Act. No tree removal activities are occurring during the breeding bird or active bat seasons to reduce the overall impacts during construction. There is ongoing coordination with MECP on obtaining relevant permits and approvals to help mitigate the impacts to American Eel.
Site monitoring of natural heritage features will continue throughout the redevelopment project.
A Record of Site Condition was obtained for a portion of the West Island to enable the proposed property use.
Project documents
For any studies of interest that were submitted with the project’s November 2022 municipal development application or the September 2023 updated application, please visit the City of Toronto development Application Information Centre page.
Additional documents are found at the Document Library.