Toronto’s Port Lands unveils new island and river mouth

Before its removal, the North Plug can be seen on the left, creating a barrier between the Keating Channel and the new river valley. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

An excavator using a grinder attachment removing the north plug. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

Removal of the north plug, in progress. Looking west towards the new island. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

An excavator removing the North Plug south of Lake Shore Boulevard, west of Don Roadway. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

Looking towards the new island from the south side of the new river. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

Toronto’s Port Lands Transformation Moves Forward with Completion of Don River’s New Mouth

Toronto’s waterfront is undergoing a major transformation with the completion of the new mouth for the Don River and creation of the island, Ookwemin Minising, as part of the Port Lands Flood Protection Project. This collaborative $1.4 billion effort by all three levels of government aims to protect 240 hectares of Toronto’s Port Lands from flooding, setting the stage for new housing, parks, and recreational spaces.

The 39.6-hectare island includes 20.2 hectares of greenspace and 19.4 hectares for development, along with kilometers of trails, roads, and a naturalized shoreline. In 2025, Toronto’s largest new park system in a generation will open on and around the island. With over 15,000 future residents, extensive parkland, and sustainable development, this waterfront project will introduce a “city within a city” for Torontonians to live, work, and play. More info on waterfrontoronto.ca.