Learn about municipal innovations, ambitious projects, and unique programs the City of Toronto has implemented, and how Canada’s largest and most diverse city has tackled its municipal challenges.
It is strongly recommended to wear closed-toe shoes for all the tours.
Please note that the return time of the tours is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
The Study tours schedule is subject to change.
Thursday, May 25
Toronto History Museums: Spadina Museum and Gardens
Thursday, May 25, 8:45 a.m.–12 p.m.
Toronto’s many pasts, presents and futures meet at our museums. Experience first-hand Toronto History Museums and engage with/delve into how the City is creating community-centred museums that support people and neighbourhoods. Join us for a guided tour of the ground breaking Dis/Mantle exhibition. This art exhibit is inspired by the efforts of Black abolitionists, reimagining Spadina Museum using an Afrofuturism narrative: where Mrs. Pipkin, the formerly enslaved freedom seeker who worked as a laundress in the house, is now the homeowner and the house is a safe haven for those seeking freedom via the Underground Railroad. In addition, participants will have the chance to see the extensive gardens, including the orchard and kitchen garden. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/spadina-museum/
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour, travel by public transit. Closed toe shoes recommended.
Exploring the Toronto Archives
Thursday, May 25, 9:15–11:30 a.m.
Come explore the Toronto Archives, where tour participants will:
- View historic photographs from the Toronto Archives' vast collection, featuring the work of Toronto's first official city photographer, Arthur Scott Goss
- View the Spadina Records Centre facility, where we house over 130,000 boxes
- Get a behind-the-scenes tour of our Conservation Lab and see how the Toronto Archives cares for Toronto's historic collections
- Get an up-close view of Toronto's earliest government documents, including the City's first bylaw, early Council Minutes and the City's first tax assessment roll
- https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/about-the-archives/directions-hours-and-contact-info/
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel) (30-minute by transit to/from MTCC)
- Note: Walking tour, travel by public transit.
Toronto History Museums: Fort York National Historic Site
Thursday, May 25, 9:45 a.m.–12 p.m.
Toronto’s many pasts, presents and futures meet at our museums. Experience first-hand Toronto History Museums and engage with/delve into how the City is creating community-centred museums that support people and neighbourhoods. Fort York National Historic Site is a place where past and present meet to spark discussions about shared futures. During this tour, you will delve into diverse and surprising stories that surround this War of 1812 site, and roll up your sleeves in the Fort’s Historic Kitchen for a community foodways activity. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/fort-york-national-historic-site/
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour. Closed toe shoes recommended.
Toronto's Leading Incubators & Accelerators: OneEleven
Thursday, May 25, 12:30–2:45 p.m.
Learn all about Toronto's innovation ecosystem from those who experience it daily with a tour at one of our leading incubators and accelerators - OneEleven. Toronto is a leading innovation hub that boasts state-of-the art infrastructure and is home to one of the most vibrant innovation and start-up sectors in North America.
OneEleven provides an unparalleled support network for rapidly scaling tech companies. It plays a central role in helping companies navigate the challenges of scaling a technology company. It has built a first-of-its-kind-in-Canada program around talent upskilling for emerging people managers. Its curriculum-based learning focuses on four areas: marketing, customer success, product, and leadership. This allows OneEleven companies to get the most out of their talent and ensure that emerging people managers are growing and learning, as fast as their companies are scaling.
OneEleven’s bespoke programming is augmented by access to community peer groups, EIR (experts in residence), as well as curated mentors and advisors. These programs are designed to help companies scale and better prepare for growth opportunities.
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot – closed toe shoes recommended
- Lunch will not be provided
St. Lawrence Neighbourhood–Conserving Heritage in Toronto's Old Town
Thursday, May 25, 12:30–2:45 p.m.
The St. Lawrence neighbourhood is one of Toronto’s oldest neighbourhoods, and contains within its boundaries a range of built, landscape and potential archaeological resources that reflect the evolution of Toronto, from the founding of the Town of York to the contemporary city of today.
Centered on the iconic St. Lawrence Market, the neighbourhood is defined by historic landmark buildings, such as St. James Cathedral and the Flatiron Building, as well as numerous educational and theatrical institutions that helped to revitalize the area in the latter half of the 20th century. In close proximity to the Financial District, the neighbourhood's character, and its unique built form has made it central to the creative industries and cultural sector boom in the city.
Tour the neighbourhood with the Heritage Planning staff and learn about how the city’s recently approved St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District Plan is working to conserve the unique heritage character of this downtown neighbourhood.
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour – closed toe shoes recommended
- Lunch will not be provided
Waste to Renewable Natural Gas–Powering Your Community
Thursday, May 25, 12:30–3:45 p.m.
In a world where climate change is a recognized global issue, municipalities are tasked with the challenge of reducing their carbon footprint and emissions profile, while also driving value and efficiencies through transformation and innovation. This is a study tour of Toronto's internationally recognized Organic Processing & Renewable Natural Gas Facility. It will focus on the opportunity of developing a renewable source of energy from organics processing. The renewable natural gas produced from this facility will be blended with the natural gas that the City of Toronto buys to create a low-carbon fuel blend that will be used across the organization to power vehicles and heat City-owned facilities, allowing for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across the organization. This project is a template for any municipality struggling with waste issues and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Capacity: 45
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel time)
- Note: This tour will require walking around the facility. There are stairs participants will need to climb. Participants will need to wear closed-toed shoes. PPE (safety vest, glasses, toe covers and hard hats) will be provided.
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Lunch will not be provided
Public Libraries and Smart Cities–Ensuring Digital Inclusion and Digital Literacy for All
Thursday, May 25, 12:30–3:45 p.m.
Learn about Toronto Public Library's (TPL) and City of Toronto's strategies for ensuring all residents have equitable access to computers and other devices, the internet and Wi-Fi connectivity at publicly accessible locations, as well as new and emerging technologies that support city building initiatives.
This study tour features the recently renovated North York Central Library (NYCL) and includes the library's Digital Innovation Hub, Fabrication Studio and Creation Loft, as well as other technology and learning facilities on site. The Library also showcases the vital role public libraries play in providing access to welcoming public spaces and digital literacy programs.
NYCL was awarded the 2022 IIDA/ALA Award for Outstanding Historic Renovation Project. (International Interior Design Awards/American Library Association).
- Capacity: 40
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel time)
- Meeting time before departure: 12:30 p.m.
- Departure time from Conference venue: 12:45 p.m. | Return at 3:45 p.m.
- Note: Travel by foot/public transit. closed toe shoes recommended. Library building is accessible. Toronto Public Library is committed to accessibility. Accommodations can be arranged with advanced notification for those who are Deaf or have a disability and would like to participate in this program.
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Lunch will not be provided
R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant
Thursday, May 25, 12:30–3:45 p.m.
Constructed in the 1930s, the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant began operating on November 1, 1941 and was declared a national historic civil engineering site in 1992. It has recently been affirmed as a Canadian Water Landmark by the American Water Works Association. Today it remains Toronto’s largest water treatment facility. Located in an attractive east-end community called The Beaches, the plant is well known for its architectural features. It is often described as a “sparkling jewel by the lake”. One of four City water treatment plants, the R.C. Harris takes raw water from Lake Ontario, then cleans, disinfects and converts it into safe potable/drinking water for pumping into the City’s distribution system.
- Capacity: 40
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Tour involves walking, some areas not accessible. Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Lunch will not be provided
From Transit to Transformation–Smart Track, Ontario Line and Transit Oriented Communities
Thursday, May 25, 12:30–3:45 p.m.
A walking tour through the downtown west side to view sites related to GO Expansion (Spadina GO), Ontario Line (Exhibition Station) and Smart Track (King-Liberty Station), as well TOC projects in the city.
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour – closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Lunch will not be provided
Toronto History Museums: Fort York National Historic Site
Thursday, May 25, 12:45–3 p.m.
Toronto’s many pasts, presents and futures meet at our museums. Experience first-hand Toronto History Museums and engage with/delve into how the City is creating community-centred museums that support people and neighbourhoods. Fort York National Historic Site is a place where past and present meet to spark discussions about shared futures. During this tour, you will delve into diverse and surprising stories that surround this War of 1812 site, and roll up your sleeves in the Fort’s Historic Kitchen for a community foodways activity. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/fort-york-national-historic-site/
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour. Closed toe shoes recommended.
Exploring the Toronto Archives
Thursday, May 25, 1:15–3:30 p.m.
Come explore the Toronto Archives, where tour participants will:
- View historic photographs from the Toronto Archives' vast collection, featuring the work of Toronto's first official city photographer, Arthur Scott Goss
- View the Spadina Records Centre facility, where we house over 130,000 boxes
- Get a behind-the-scenes tour of our Conservation Lab and see how the Toronto Archives cares for Toronto's historic collections
- Get an up-close view of Toronto's earliest government documents, including the City's first bylaw, early Council Minutes and the City's first tax assessment roll
- https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/about-the-archives/directions-hours-and-contact-info/
Friday, May 26
Union Station Revitalization Project
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Union Station is Canada’s busiest, multi-modal passenger transportation hub, a designated national historic site and a significant part of Toronto’s history and identity. More than a quarter-million people use Union Station daily. To achieve the revitalization of Union Station and accommodate expected growth, the vision and objectives of the project are to:
- Improve pedestrian capacity and flow for Canada’s busiest and most important multimodal passenger transportation hub.
- Conserve the national historic site and Beaux Arts historic building.
- Create a landmark destination.
- Promote fiscal sustainability.
This tour will highlight the City's priorities and approaches to achieving the above goals including transportation and monetization priorities.
- Capacity: 15
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot, walking tour, closed toe shoes recommended
- Lunch will be available on the trade show floor upon return
Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
The City of Toronto has been working with the local Indigenous community to build and develop the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ICIE). The ICIE is a space designed to give the Indigenous community an opportunity to explore their entrepreneurial aspirations by providing space, business programming, advisory services, mentorship supports, shared co-workspace, community event space and connections to business networks.
Governed and operated by an Indigenous-led organization, when completed, the ICIE will be a 22,500 square-foot space, located at 200 Dundas St.
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot/transit, presentation-style tour format. Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Lunch will be available on the trade show floor upon return
Toronto Overdose Information System—Informing Our Response to the Opioid Crisis
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
This study tour will highlight the unique collaboration between Toronto Public Health (TPH) and Toronto Paramedic Services which involves the collection of data on suspected and fatal opioid overdoses. The data collected helps public health mobilize outreach and response efforts, as well as inform policy actions to address the overdose crisis.
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot, presentation-style tour format. Closed toe shoes recommended
- Lunch will be available on the trade show floor upon return
Canoe Landing Community Centre
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Canoe Landing Community Centre opened during the pandemic in summer 2020 and has seen a significant increase in demand over the past year. Come learn how this busy facility supports the needs of families in this high-density tower community. Participants will also learn about the City's work to increase access to free public Wi-Fi at locations like community centres and community housing, all while exploring one of the City's newest community centres.
Canoe Landing Community Centre is part of a larger complex that includes 2 elementary schools – Jean Lumb Public School (TDSB) and Bishop MacDonnell Catholic Elementary School, as well as Canoe Landing Child Care Centre (operated by The Neighbourhood Group). The Bentway runs its ‘studio’ in the community space adjacent to the community centre, providing a platform for creative practice, public art and a connection to urban life.
Canoe Landing Community Centre is a fully accessible building featuring 2 full-size gymnasiums, a unique indoor children's playground (designed by the Ontario Science Centre), a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, 2 fitness/dance studios, a spin cycle studio, an indoor walking track, 3 multipurpose rooms and public Wi-Fi available throughout the building. Another unique feature is the programmed Canoe Landing Rooftop Park that includes a seasonal outdoor running track, a basketball court, a raised bed teaching garden, and green roof.
- Capacity: 40
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot and tour involves walking. Closed toe shoes recommended. Location is accessible. Accommodations can be arranged with advanced notification for those who are Deaf or have a disability and would like to participate in this program.
- Lunch will be available on the trade show floor upon return
St. Lawrence Neighbourhood–Conserving Heritage in Toronto's Old Town
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
The St. Lawrence neighbourhood is one of Toronto’s oldest neighbourhoods, and contains within its boundaries a range of built, landscape and potential archaeological resources that reflect the evolution of Toronto, from the founding of the Town of York to the contemporary city of today.
Centered on the iconic St. Lawrence Market, the neighbourhood is defined by historic landmark buildings, such as St. James Cathedral and the Flatiron Building, as well as numerous educational and theatrical institutions that helped to revitalize the area in the latter half of the 20th century. In close proximity to the Financial District, the neighbourhood's character, and its unique built form has made it central to the creative industries and cultural sector boom in the city.
Tour the neighbourhood with the Heritage Planning staff and learn about how the city’s recently approved St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District Plan is working to conserve the unique heritage character of this downtown neighbourhood.
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour – closed toe shoes recommended
- Lunch will be available on the trade show floor upon return
Cycling Tour of Road Safety Projects
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Join the City of Toronto Transportation Services staff for a two-hour cycling tour that will highlight recent active transportation safety projects. Cyclists of all skill levels are welcome, as the route will include protected bikeways and quiet streets. City staff will stop at regular intervals to describe road safety features and invite feedback from participants on their levels of comfort and safety.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Cycling tour, closed toe shoes recommended
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Revitalizing and Decarbonizing the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Join Toronto City project leads for a close-up look at eight innovative capital projects that are making the waterfront's Bathurst Quay neighbourhood a more sustainable, accessible, and active place to live and to visit.
Tours will include a community centre's net-zero energy retrofit that features a lake-based geoexchange system; dynamic new waterfront park spaces; heritage building rehabilitation and adaptive re-use, including restoration of the 100-year-old Canada Malting silos and more.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot/transit, walking tour, closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Inclusive and Resilient Economic Growth—Waterfront Revitalization
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
This study tour will provide an overview of the long-term framework for Waterfront Revitalization including the creation of new innovative and inclusive mixed-use communities and the revitalization of the Port Lands. The $1.25 Billion Port Lands Flood Protection project will re-naturalize the mouth of Don River and help Toronto adapt to extreme weather and a changing climate by protecting 240 hectares of land from flooding. Come see how this and future phases of waterfront revitalization will set the stage for Toronto's growth, improve social and environmental outcomes, and contribute over $4 billion to Canada's economy.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Tour will involve walking - closed toe shoes recommended
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Housing & Intensification in Established Areas—Mid-Rise Buildings in West Queen West
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Toronto’s main streets are the heart of its neighbourhoods. The vision for our commercial corridors call for beautiful tree-lined streets and sunlit sidewalks, framed by carefully articulated mid-rise buildings that provide retail and community uses on the ground level. One of the components of the growth strategy outlined in Toronto's official plan is sensitive intensification of main streets.
This mobile workshop will take participants on a tour of recently built mid-rise buildings in West Queen West. Key components of the performance standards for mid-rise buildings to guide future growth will be highlighted. Discussion will include intensification in established areas, increasing housing supply, and creating great retail streets. Participants will also have a chance to view a couple of laneway housing developments though the tour, and a modular supportive housing development.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel)
- Note: Tour takes place on narrow and busy city sidewalks, and along laneways. Some connections may not be accessible.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Tour
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
This tour will include:
- Tour of Campus vis-à-vis the new Master Plan and Secondary Plan
- Discussion regarding interface with higher order transit i.e. Eglinton East LRT
- Tour of green building design initiatives including mass timber parking structure and Passive House, as well as Indigenous House
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel)
- Note: Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Transforming Etobicoke Centre
Friday, May 26, 10:30 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
This walking tour through the heart of Etobicoke Centre will engage participants in understanding the built and planned evolution and transformative change for this important western growth area in the City of Toronto.
Highlights include the recently completed Kipling TTC and GO Transit Hub; the Complete and Green Streets in the Six Points Interchange Reconfiguration; the location and ground-breaking of the new Etobicoke Civic Centre; Civic Square; district energy plant and community spaces; expanded local parks; future Housing Now affordable housing development blocks (Kipling and Islington); local heritage; and mid-rise and tall building redevelopment.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel)
- Note: Fully accessible - City Sidewalks and Public Transit facilities. Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Street Art and Graffiti Management: Walking Tour of My Elders Said Wall & Honour the Water Wall
Friday, May 26, 3–4:45 p.m.
StreetARToronto (‘StART’) is an integral and proactive component of the City’s Graffiti Management Plan. Supporting graffiti art and other street art that adds vibrancy and artistic delight to our streets reinforces the City’s motto ‘Diversity, Our Strength’. Join City staff for a walking tour of the Indigenous dual mural installation, My Elders Said Wall and Honour the Water Wall, by lead artist Tannis Nielsen. This dual mural is located in the Lower Simcoe Street underpass.
- My Elders Said Wall - N'gekaajig Kidowog consists of 28 portraits of local teachers/elders identified by name, together with quotes/teachings from each elder.
- Honour the Water Wall - Gchi-twaawendan NIbi was created to honour both Grandma Josephine (who started the Water Walk initiative) and the water, and to introduce passing pedestrians to the importance of the very real concept that “water as life”.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 5 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour, taking place outdoors. For most of the tour delegates will be standing within the covered underpass area. Closed toe shoes recommended.
Union Station Revitalization Project
Friday, May 26, 3–5:15 p.m.
Union Station is Canada’s busiest, multi-modal passenger transportation hub, a designated national historic site and a significant part of Toronto’s history and identity. More than a quarter-million people use Union Station daily. To achieve the revitalization of Union Station and accommodate expected growth, the vision and objectives of the project are to:
- Improve pedestrian capacity and flow for Canada’s busiest and most important multimodal passenger transportation hub.
- Conserve the national historic site and Beaux Arts historic building.
- Create a landmark destination.
- Promote fiscal sustainability.
This tour will highlight the City's priorities and approaches to achieving the above goals including transportation and monetization priorities.
- Capacity: 15
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot, walking tour, closed toe shoes recommended
Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Friday, May 26, 3–5:15 p.m.
The City of Toronto has been working with the local Indigenous community to build and develop the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ICIE). The ICIE is a space designed to give the Indigenous community an opportunity to explore their entrepreneurial aspirations by providing space, business programming, advisory services, mentorship supports, shared co-workspace, community event space and connections to business networks.
Governed and operated by an Indigenous-led organization, when completed, the ICIE will be a 22,500 square-foot space, located at 200 Dundas St. E.
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot/transit, presentation-style tour format. Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
Finding the Missing Middle—Low-Rise Housing in Toronto
Friday, May 26, 3–5:15 p.m.
Toronto's low-rise neighbourhoods have a long history of accommodating different missing middle housing types, from duplexes and triplexes to low-rise apartment buildings. The flexible zoning along Dovercourt Road has allowed homes to change over time to suit their occupants and the changing demographics of the neighbourhood.
This tour will include examples of laneway suites, multiplexes, low-rise apartments, and modular housing and will include a discussion of how this flexibility is being expanded to more Toronto neighbourhoods through the City's Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods project.
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel)
- Note: Tour takes place all on narrow city sidewalks. Travel by TTC, tour will involve walking – closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
Toronto's Leading Incubators & Accelerators: LatAm Startups
Friday, May 26, 3–5:15 p.m.
Learn all about Toronto's innovation ecosystem from those who experience it daily with a tour at one of our leading incubators and accelerators-LatAm Startups. Toronto is a leading innovation hub that boasts state-of-the art infrastructure and is home to one of the most vibrant innovation and start-up sectors in North America.
LatAm Startups is a top accelerator in Toronto that works exclusively with international start-ups and newcomers based in Canada. As a designated sponsor for Canada’s Start-up Visa program, LatAm Startups is a pioneer in bringing the world’s top start-ups to Canada and helping them scale globally from Toronto. LatAm Startups’s mandate is to support newcomers in tech helping to locate international and innovative tech companies that are relocating or establishing a second headquarters for their businesses in Canada.
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot—closed toe shoes recommended
Building Stronger and Heathier Communities–The Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Launchpad & Regent Park Athletic Grounds
Friday, May 26, 3–5:45 p.m.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has invested over $5.9 million dollars into revitalising 34 recreation facilities across the City of Toronto. Building off a longstanding partnership with the City, this tour will showcase the Regent Park Athletic Grounds and MLSE LaunchPad. It will also demonstrate how multi-stakeholder partnerships (public and private) can improve communities and the lives of youth facing barriers through sport.
- Capacity: 45
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot/public transit, tour will involve walking. Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
Modular Supportive Housing in Toronto
Friday, May 26, 3–5:45 p.m.
There are more than 8,000 people experiencing homelessness in Toronto. To respond to this urgent need, the City of Toronto is building modular supportive housing at the parking lot at 150 Dunn Avenue. This new four-storey modular building will provide homes for approximately 51 people and support their health and well-being. This project is delivered in partnership with all orders of government, the University Health Network (UHN) Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine and the United Way of Greater Toronto (UWGT).
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: The project is expected to be completed in April 2023 so the elevator should be functional by May 2023 if needed. Should the construction schedule be delayed, participants might need PPE (hard hat and boots) to attend the tour.
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
Housing & Intensification in Established Areas—Mid-Rise Buildings in West Queen West
Friday, May 26, 3–5:45 p.m.
Toronto’s main streets are the heart of its neighbourhoods. The vision for our commercial corridors call for beautiful tree-lined streets and sunlit sidewalks, framed by carefully articulated mid-rise buildings that provide retail and community uses on the ground level. One of the components of the growth strategy outlined in Toronto’s official plan is sensitive intensification of main streets.
This mobile workshop will take participants on a tour of recently built mid-rise buildings in West Queen West. Key components of the performance standards for mid-rise buildings to guide future growth will be highlighted. Discussion will include intensification in established areas, increasing housing supply, and creating great retail streets. Participants will also have a chance to view a couple of laneway housing developments though the tour, and a modular supportive housing development.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel)
- Note: Tour takes place on narrow and busy city sidewalks, and along laneways. Some connections may not be accessible.
Golden Mile Area
Friday, May 26, 3–6:15 p.m.
Learn about the transformation of a grey fields area to a high-density, mixed-use complete community as supported by five stations on the Crosstown LRT. A new community for 30,000 plus residents with access to new parks, community centres, day cares and school(s) is being created and is under partial construction.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel)
- Note: Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
From Transit to Transformation—Smart Track, Ontario Line and Transit Oriented Communities
Friday, May 26, 3–6:15 p.m.
A walking tour through the downtown west side to view sites related to GO Expansion (Spadina GO), Ontario Line (Exhibition Station) and Smart Track (King-Liberty Station), as well TOC projects in the city.
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour – closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
Transforming Etobicoke Centre
Friday, May 26, 3–6:15 p.m.
This walking tour through the heart of Etobicoke Centre will engage participants in understanding the built and planned evolution and transformative change for this important western growth area in the City of Toronto.
Highlights include the recently completed Kipling TTC and GO Transit Hub; the Complete and Green Streets in the Six Points Interchange Reconfiguration; the location and ground-breaking of the new Etobicoke Civic Centre; Civic Square; district energy plant and community spaces; expanded local parks; future Housing Now affordable housing development blocks (Kipling and Islington); local heritage; and mid-rise and tall building redevelopment.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel)
- Note: Fully accessible - City Sidewalks and Public Transit facilities. Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
Saturday, May 27
Street Art and Graffiti Management: Walking Tour of My Elders Said Wall & Honour the Water Wall
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
StreetARToronto (‘StART’) is an integral and proactive component of the City’s Graffiti Management Plan. Supporting graffiti art and other street art that adds vibrancy and artistic delight to our streets reinforces the City’s motto ‘Diversity, Our Strength’. Join City staff for a walking tour of the Indigenous dual mural installation, My Elders Said Wall and Honour the Water Wall, by lead artist Tannis Nielsen. This dual mural is located in the Lower Simcoe Street underpass.
- My Elders Said Wall - N'gekaajig Kidowog consists of 28 portraits of local teachers/elders identified by name, together with quotes/teachings from each elder.
- Honour the Water Wall - Gchi-twaawendan NIbi was created to honour both Grandma Josephine (who started the Water Walk initiative) and the water, and to introduce passing pedestrians to the importance of the very real concept that “water as life”.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 5 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour, taking place outdoors. For most of the tour delegates will be standing within the covered underpass area. Closed toe shoes recommended.
Enwave Deep Lake Water Cooling
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Enwave's Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) is the world's largest lake-source cooling system, and an alternative to conventional, energy-intensive air conditioning. Customers include Toronto’s major downtown hospitals, multi-residential and commercial office towers, entertainment facilities and government buildings. Cold water from the bottom of Lake Ontario is pumped to the Toronto Island Filtration Plant where it is processed and then directed to Enwave's Energy Transfer Station where heat exchangers facilitate an energy transfer between the cold lake water and Enwave's closed chilled water supply loop. Explore the Enwave's Energy Transfer Station and learn how the system keeps over 80 buildings cool during the summer months.
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel)
- Meeting time before departure: 10:30 a.m.
- Departure time from Conference venue: 10:45 a.m. (15-minute walk to/from MTCC) | Return at 12:45 p.m.
- Note: Walking tour. Some areas not wheelchairs accessible. A waiver might need to be signed.
- PPE Required: Pants & Long sleeves, Hearing protection, Hard hat, Safety glasses, Hi-vis vest and safety boots
Revitalizing and Decarbonizing the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Join City project leads for a close-up look at eight innovative capital projects that are making the waterfront’s Bathurst Quay neighbourhood a more sustainable, accessible, and active place to live and to visit.
Tours will include a community centre’s net-zero energy retrofit that features a lake-based geoexchange system; dynamic new waterfront park spaces; heritage building rehabilitation and adaptive re-use, including restoration of the 100-year-old Canada Malting silos and more.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot/transit, walking tour, closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Ravine Strategy
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Toronto’s astounding network of ravines is among the largest in the world. It is the heart and soul of a remarkable natural environment system that spills out of the river valleys into the city’s parks, neighbourhoods and urban landscape. With population growth, new development and climate change putting increased pressure on ravines, Toronto’s Ravine Strategy guides ravine management, use, enhancement and protection. A workshop and guided tour at Evergreen Brickworks will educate participants on Toronto’s green infrastructure and the work underway to protect and celebrate it.
- Capacity: 45
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Tour will involve walking outdoors. Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Inclusive and Resilient Economic Growth—Waterfront Revitalization
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
This study tour will provide an overview of the long-term framework for Waterfront Revitalization including the creation of new innovative and inclusive mixed-use communities and the revitalization of the Port Lands. The $1.25 Billion Port Lands Flood Protection project will re-naturalize the mouth of Don River and help Toronto adapt to extreme weather and a changing climate by protecting 240 hectares of land from flooding. Come see how this and future phases of waterfront revitalization will set the stage for Toronto's growth, improve social and environmental outcomes, and contribute over $4 billion to Canada's economy.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Tour will involve walking – closed toe shoes recommended
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Toronto’s Leading Incubators & Accelerators: Centre for Social Innovation
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Learn all about Toronto’s innovation ecosystem from those who experience it daily with a tour at one of our leading incubators and accelerators – the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI). Toronto is a leading innovation hub that boasts state-of-the art infrastructure and is home to one of the most vibrant innovation and start-up sectors in North America.
CSI is the leading authority on social innovation - seeking to address root causes and change the very systems resisting change to unlock solutions for a better world. Seen as an incubator and accelerator, sometimes a coworking space and community centre, sometimes a lab and an innovator, at its core CSI is about supporting a platform and growing a community of social innovators that are building a world that puts people and planet first.
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot/transit – closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Housing & Intensification in Established Areas—Mid-Rise Buildings in West Queen West
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Toronto’s main streets are the heart of its neighbourhoods. The vision for our commercial corridors call for beautiful tree-lined streets and sunlit sidewalks, framed by carefully articulated mid-rise buildings that provide retail and community uses on the ground level. One of the components of the growth strategy outlined in Toronto's official plan is sensitive intensification of main streets.
This mobile workshop will take participants on a tour of recent mid-rise buildings in West Queen West. Key components of the performance standards for mid-rise buildings to guide future growth will be highlighted. Discussion will include intensification in established areas, increasing housing supply, and creating great retail streets. Participants will also have a chance to view a couple of laneway housing developments though the tour, and a modular supportive housing development.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 2.5 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Tour takes place on narrow and busy city sidewalks, and along laneways. Some connections may not be accessible.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Golden Mile Area
Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m.—1:45 p.m.
Learn about the transformation of a grey fields area to a high-density mixed-use complete community as supported by five stations on the Crosstown LRT. A new community for 30,000 plus residents with access to new parks, community centres, day cares and school(s) is being created and is under partial construction.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
Golden Mile Area
Saturday, May 27, 3–6:15 p.m.
Learn about the transformation of a grey fields area to a high-density mixed-use complete community as supported by five stations on the Crosstown LRT. A new community for 30,000 plus residents with access to new parks, community centres, day cares and school(s) is being created and is under partial construction.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
Street Art and Graffiti Management: Walking Tour of My Elders Said Wall & Honour the Water Wall
Saturday, May 27, 3:30–5:15 p.m.
StreetARToronto (‘StART’) is an integral and proactive component of the City’s Graffiti Management Plan. Supporting graffiti art and other street art that adds vibrancy and artistic delight to our streets reinforces the City’s motto ‘Diversity, Our Strength’. Join City staff for a walking tour of the Indigenous dual mural installation, My Elders Said Wall and Honour the Water Wall, by lead artist Tannis Nielsen. This dual mural is located in the Lower Simcoe Street underpass.
- My Elders Said Wall - N'gekaajig Kidowog consists of 28 portraits of local teachers/elders identified by name, together with quotes/teachings from each elder.
- Honour the Water Wall - Gchi-twaawendan NIbi was created to honour both Grandma Josephine (who started the Water Walk initiative) and the water, and to introduce passing pedestrians to the importance of the very real concept that “water as life”.
- Capacity: 20
- Length of the tour: 5 hours (including travel)
- Note: Walking tour, taking place outdoors. For most of the tour delegates will be standing within the covered underpass area. Closed toe shoes recommended.
Supporting Toronto's Grassroots Music Community: It's OK* Studios
Saturday, May 27, 3:30–5:45 p.m.
Come learn about how Toronto is supporting the grassroots music community through a below-market-rate, short-term lease at 468 Queen St. West with It's OK* Community Arts. This City-owned space will eventually be turned into a new park, but in the meantime, It’s OK* Studios, a new independent Black-led and operated, interdisciplinary, multipurpose arts space, will be a hub for artistic growth and development, and a vibrant gathering place for Toronto’s Black artistic community.
When fully operational, the Studio’s main 10,000 square-foot space will include a gallery, photo studio, social gathering space, and a flexible venue for projects such as installations, interactive works, and events. The space will host rotating programs focusing on the concept and development of work from Black grassroots emerging artists and musicians, and developmental workshops for creatives to gain valuable skills and insights on creating and sustaining a creative practice.
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Travel by foot/transit – closed toe shoes recommended
- * The return time is dependent on traffic/transit conditions and may affect attendance to subsequent sessions.
Sunday, May 28
Finding the Missing Middle—Low-Rise Housing in Toronto
Sunday, May 28, 10:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Toronto's low-rise neighbourhoods have a long history of accommodating different missing middle housing types, from duplexes and triplexes to low-rise apartment buildings. The flexible zoning along Dovercourt Road has allowed homes to change over time to suit their occupants and the changing demographics of the neighbourhood.
This tour will include examples of laneway suites, multiplexes, low-rise apartments, and modular housing and will include a discussion of how this flexibility is being expanded to more Toronto neighbourhoods through the City's Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods project.
- Capacity: 25
- Length of the tour: 2 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Tour takes place all on narrow city sidewalks. Travel by TTC, tour will involve walking – closed toe shoes recommended
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return
From Transit to Transformation, Smart Track, Ontario Line and Transit Oriented Communities
Sunday, May 28, 10:15 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
A walking tour through the downtown west side to view sites related to GO Expansion (Spadina GO), Ontario Line (Exhibition Station) and Smart Track (King-Liberty Station), as well TOC projects in the city.
- Capacity: 30
- Length of the tour: 3 hours (including travel time)
- Note: Walking tour – closed toe shoes recommended
- Boxed lunch will be provided upon return