Item - 2022.GL30.8

The General Government and Licensing Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the transfer of the proceeds of the exclusive permanent easement over the Easement Lands ($3,160,778.49) from the Land Acquisition Reserve Fund (XR1012) to Parks, Forestry and Recreation's deferred revenue Account (216031) to be used for enhancement of areas of the Toronto Island Park through the implementation of capital projects identified within the Toronto Island Master Plan and brought forward in future capital budget submissions.

This report seeks authority to direct revenue derived from the granting of permanent easement rights to Enwave Energy Corporation (Enwave) towards the implementation of projects identified in the Toronto Islands Master Plan.

In 2021, in order to facilitate expansion of the Deep Lake Water Cooling system, the City granted Enwave permanent surface and underground easements for the new raw water intake pipe and associated access shafts and chambers.

In 2020, City Council directed Parks, Forestry and Recreation to review possible allocation of revenue from the permanent subsurface easements for enhancement of areas of the Toronto Island Park. Parks, Forestry and Recreation sought input from stakeholders and the public on how best to allocate funds through the ongoing Toronto Island Master Plan (Master Plan) study. While the original direction from Council recommended directing easement revenue to shoreline, beach restoration, flood protection and other natural projects, staff recommend broadening the scope to all priority projects identified through the Master Plan.

The allocation of the easement revenue towards implementation of projects identified within the Master Plan is an opportunity to address the pressures facing Toronto Island Park such as increased demand, aging infrastructure and flooding, and to enhance a destination which draws visitors from across Toronto and beyond.

Priority projects will be identified through the final stages of the Master Plan process in alignment with other capital projects related to Toronto Island Park in the 10-Year Capital Budget and Plan, including projects related to flood mitigation and other state of good repair projects, key recommendations arising from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority  Flood Mitigation Environmental Assessment process, and priority projects relating to the City's Reconciliation Action Plan. These projects will be included for consideration in future capital budget submissions.