aerial view of waterfront looking northwest

News

Find the latest news and articles to stay updated on the projects and partnerships that are making the vision for waterfront transformation a reality.

While we work to make our content more accessible, some may be unavailable and can be provided upon request. Please contact info@waterfrontoronto.ca if you require an alternative format, and we will respond as promptly as possible.

A large public art arch is activated by the artist and lit up at night

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You Complete Me: Experience the Unfinished Arch at Sherbourne Common

Waterfront Toronto’s destination art piece in Sherbourne Common is now open. Unfinished Arch, a long-awaited destination public artwork by internationally recognized artist Rafael Lozano Hemmer invites the public to visit, experience and complete the Arch through their presence and touch.

Aerial view of artist rendering showing a new island community on Toronto's waterfront with a winding river., green space, and developments.

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Building the first residential community on Toronto’s new island neighbourhood

June 11, 2026 | TORONTO, ON — The next wave of Toronto’s waterfront revitalization is underway. The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto announced a major milestone in waterfront revitalization.

A sign board on a street that reads: East West Shuttle, scan and book here.

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Ahoy, Toronto’s East-West Water Shuttle Has Officially Left the Dock! Here are 3 things you need to know

Toronto's waterfront just got a whole lot more connected. The East-West Water Shuttle pilot initiative has officially launched, marking an exciting milestone for both our waterfront and the city's future vision for marine transportation. Here are 3 things you need to know before you board.

Aerial view of Toronto's waterfront looking east

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Charting New Waters: Launching a New East-West Water Shuttle Pilot

June 4, 2026 | TORONTO, ON — Toronto's waterfront marked an exciting milestone today as Waterfront Toronto, the City of Toronto and the Toronto Port Authority officially launched the East-West Water Shuttle Pilot — a seasonal service designed to assess the feasibility of expanded water-based transit across Toronto's Inner Harbour. The shuttle service opens to the public on Friday, June 5.

Four people pose next to a large arch - public art installation at the official unveiling in Sherbourne Common.

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Incomplete by Design: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's Unfinished Arch Opens at Sherbourne Common

June 1, 2026 | TORONTO, ON — Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto today unveiled Unfinished Arch, a striking new landmark public art installation in Toronto’s Sherbourne Common by acclaimed artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. The installation marks a meaningful addition to the waterfront's public art collection, reinforcing Toronto's eastern waterfront as a cultural destination.

A collage of three images showing a floating artwork that resembles a convenience store

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Introducing Global Convenience: Toronto's New Floating Artwork

This summer, an unexpected artwork will appear on Toronto’s waterfront – linking two kinds of gathering places: the waterfront as a shared destination, and the corner store as an everyday meeting point. Read this article to learn more.

A lively street scene features people enjoying a colorful autumn day. The street is lined with vibrant red, orange, and yellow trees. Families and individuals stroll along the path, some sitting and talking on benches. The atmosphere is cheerful, with a mix of adults and children engaging in various outdoor activities. Buildings in the background have modern designs, adding to the urban setting.

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Building More Homes on Ookwemin Minising: A Green, Livable Neighbourhood

We’re building a green and livable dense urban neighbourhood on a new island where the Don River meets Lake Ontario. As plans for Ookwemin Minising evolve, a unique approach to designing buildings and streetscapes shows how we can build thousands more homes on the island, while keeping public space and making room for nature to thrive. Read more in this blog.

Map of Toronto waterfront showing the New Water Shuttle Pilot Stops at the Portland Slip / Island Airport and Ookwemin Minising / Biidaasige Park. The map also shows the Existing Water Taxi Stops in the Central Waterfront and indicates the New East-West Service route.

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New 2026 East-West Water Shuttle Pilot Operator Selected

April 7, 2026 | TORONTO, ON — Waterfront Toronto, the City of Toronto, and Toronto Port Authority are pleased to announce York Bay Marine Services as the selected operator for the East-West Water Shuttle Pilot, a seasonal service launching in June designed to test the feasibility of expanded water-based transit across Toronto's Inner Harbour.

Rendering of a visualization of Waterfront East Transit

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More than Transit: Governments Commit to Advance Transit to Unlock Housing, Jobs and a Connected Eastern Waterfront

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.

Rendering of Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge showing people walking by on a bright sunny day.

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Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge: A Striking Gateway Between Downtown and Toronto’s New Island

The Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge is anticipated to open in mid-2028. When complete, it will stand as a striking gateway to Toronto’s next chapter of waterfront revitalization, connecting downtown to the new island (Ookwemin Minising) and award-winning park (Biidaasige Park) in the Port Lands.

Screenshot from Quayside experience showing the future of Quayside. A text blob reads, Meeting the pressing need of housing.

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Explore Quayside's Public Realm: An Interactive Journey Through Our Design

Toronto's waterfront has been a place of transformation for many decades, evolving from a post-industrial shoreline with underutilized land to series of vibrant communities and beloved destinations that are welcoming people to the water’s edge. Quayside is the next chapter in that story: a neighbourhood that will provide affordable places to live, reconnect people to the water, and add to the growing network of destinations across Toronto’s waterfront.

A large group of people participate in an outdoor parade at sunset along a planted pathway at Biidaasige Park. At the front of the procession, several drummers walk in a line, and a performer holds a large, colourful fish puppet. Participants behind them carry additional bright, handmade puppets and decorations.

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Following the River: Shaping Toronto’s New Island

Toronto’s waterfront is transforming, with new parks, connections, and neighbourhoods reshaping how the city meets the lake. On the eastern waterfront, Ookwemin Minising and Quayside are bringing new housing thanks to tri-government partnerships and funding to accelerate Waterfront Toronto’s revitalization plan. Read more in this blog.

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Waterfront Toronto Welcomes the Tri-Government Appointment of Kevin Sullivan as Board Chair

January 19, 2026, TORONTO, ON – Waterfront Toronto is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto have jointly appointed Kevin Sullivan as the tri-government Chair of the Waterfront Toronto Board of Directors.

Bird's eye view of Toronto's revitalized East Bayfront neighbourhood in 2025.

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Parliament Slip: Preparing for the Future Mobility Network

Learn why a portion of Parliament Slip was lakefilled and how it supports the future mobility network across the waterfront and new homes at Quayside.

A view of Toronto's eastern waterfront on top of a photo before revitalization

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Waterfront Toronto Mandate Officially Extended

December 12, 2025, TORONTO, ON – Waterfront Toronto’s mandate has been officially extended to 2035, with an option to extend an additional five years to 2040. Learn more about this next phase of waterfront revitalization.

Aerial photograph of Ookwemin Minising with the Toronto cityscape in the background.

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Toronto’s Ookwemin Minising joins global network of cities taking on the climate crisis through community-forward design

Waterfront Toronto’s Ookwemin Minising project joins an international network, Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods, through C40 Cities (C40), tackling the climate crisis through purposeful and people-centered design.

Rendering shows Toronto's downtown skyline along the waterfront on a bright day, highlighting Quayside Phase 1.

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What’s Next for One of Toronto’s Most Significant Housing Projects

Quayside is one of the most significant housing projects in Toronto, and it’s set to break ground next year. Learn more in this blog.

Letter IT COMES IN WAVES float and glow on water in the dark as part of a floating artwork.

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New Floating Artwork Animates Toronto’s Inner Harbour

There’s a new floating presence along the water’s edge at Harbour Square Park Basin called, IT COMES IN WAVES, a striking temporary installation by Toronto-based artist and designer Ben Johnston.

Illustration of a lively green neighborhood with people walking, cycling, playing, shopping, and relaxing among trees, birds, and market stalls, blending nature with community life.

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Shaping the Future: Community Visions for Ookwemin Minising

The future of Ookwemin Minising is taking shape and we're building it together! With flood protection work nearing completion, our focus has shifted to the foundational design elements that will support the island, including its public spaces, streets and utilities, and the final section of Biidaasige Park.

Group photo from the official opening of a new park. One dignitary holds a sign saying "Welcome to Biidaasige Park".

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Largest Park in a Generation Opens on City of Toronto’s New Island through Transformative Port Lands Flood Protection Project

July 18, 2025, TORONTO – Today, we welcomed hundreds of visitors to Toronto’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising, to celebrate the opening of the island’s marquee attraction, Biidaasige Park. This event marked the beginning of a weekend filled with exploration and celebration as people of all ages are invited to experience the newly transformed Don River, and Biidaasige Park. Read more in our news release.

Visitors observing public art, In Equilibrium, with modern buildings in the background, and Garden of Future Follies, with clear sky and buildings in background.

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A Virtual Tour of Public Art in the West Don Lands

In this virtual tour, we invite you to explore the public art in the West Don Lands. Each piece tells a story – of people, of place, and of the evolving spirit of this remarkable neighbourhood.

An illustration of Toronto's skyline and Inner Harbour, featuring sailboats, kayaks, a loon, and a fish.

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Kiss ‘n’ Sail is Back! (And other exciting developments on the water)

Toronto’s Inner Harbour is the centrepiece of our waterfront. Here are some of the plans to make it easier to enjoy.

Postcard style graphic that reads: “Greetings from Ookwemin Minising, Toronto, Canada"

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Toronto’s New Island is Ready to Launch

Toronto has a new island where the Don River meets Lake Ontario. Surrounded by a winding river and overlooking the downtown skyline, Toronto’s new island is a place like no other. Ookwemin Minising (formerly known as Villiers Island) is a new island born from one of the world’s most ambitious flood protection and river restoration projects. The island is ringed with wetlands surrounding a new park, named Biidaasige Park. Learn more in this blog.

Poster showing birds, thumbs-up icon, an umbrella, heart icon, share button icon, messenger icon, light keeper and water guardians public artworks, transit and road.

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Refining Our Digital Communications: We Asked, You Answered!

In March 2025, we conducted a survey to gather feedback on our digital communications, specifically our newsletter and social media presence. Most respondents said we’re generally doing a good job and had some great suggestions. Over the next few months, you may notice changes in our newsletter and content posted on social media as we try some of your suggestions.