The Toronto District School Board is planning to build an elementary school at the corner of Mill Street and Bayview Avenue, however the project has been delayed as the land was expropriated by Metrolinx for their construction activities on the Ontario Line. The land is to be given back in September 2028 (previously 2027 but was delayed in 2025).
The CDNA is working with the TDSB and neighbouring associations to provide community guidance and perspective as plans unfold.
Why It’s Important
The current population of the Canary District is more than 6,000, and the 100+ younger kids who live here need to be bussed, driven, or take public transportation to a neighbouring district to go to school. By 2029 the neighbourhood population will have doubled. It is essential that TDSB be ready to break ground as soon as the land is released by Metrolinx.
The Story
The Toronto District School Board acquired the land in 2018 and originally planned the project to be complete by 2025, however the appropriation by Metrolinx in 2022 has put it on hold until 2028. The TDSB regard this project as a priority are doing preliminary feasibility work to ensure things can move ahead quickly when the land is released.
Because of the increased density in the neighbourhood and the energy the new transit hub will add to the area, they are using the delay as an opportunity to explore additional the possibility of planning a mixed-use development rather than a standalone school.
A preliminary feasibility study concluded that the site could accommodate a new 50,000 sq.ft school with rooftop play space in addition to a residential development on the western edge.
We and our neighbours in the Distillery District (the Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association) have met with TDSB and relevant school trustees to indicate our strong interest in the project and willingness to assist if and when community consultation is needed.
What You Can Do
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Stay in touch with us by newsletter and social media to stay abreast of developments.
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Talk to your neighbours, especially those with children, about the project.