There are several requests to convert Employment Areas in Scarborough, like Kennedy Commons, to allow residential uses
PROTECT SCARBOROUGH:
SAVE LOCAL JOBS AND
COMMUNITY SPACES
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
1
2
This is a path to high-density development, and would result in the permanent loss of local jobs and community-serving retail
3
Residential growth without nearby jobs or services is irresponsible development and does not support thriving, walkable communities
4
According to research and expert staff opinion, many of these lands should not be converted (see this staff report)
5
However, City Council ignored these recommendations and converted some areas to allow residential use (see Council’s decision here)
6
The final decision is now before the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
WHAT ARE EMPLOYMENT AREAS?
Toronto’s Employment Areas are essential for balancing population
growth with employment and economic growth.
They are key drivers of the local economy,
offering well-paying jobs, shorter supply
chains, community-serving retail, and
locally-produced goods:
Employment lands accommodate 400,000 jobs across the City (that’s 25% of all Toronto jobs)
Employment lands provide low entry jobs for: newcomers to Canada, people whose first language is not English, and those who have under-recognized professional certifications
Employment lands in the City keep the production of goods and shipping close to where people live
In Scarborough, Kennedy Commons and
the Milliken Employment Areas provide
about 40,000 jobs to the community.
These are thriving employment areas with 0-1% vacancy rates
They are home to both major local employers and local, culturally-relevant businesses
These areas offer a buffer to nearby residential areas, protecting residents from the impacts (noise, dust, odour, etc) of nearby manufacturers
WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
1
Our Scarborough Employment Areas are facing land use conversion pressure due to real estate speculation
2
High density residential development generates higher market value for profit-seeking developers
3
Because of this, developers often buy inexpensive employment areas so they can convert them to allow residential uses and resell them for a huge payday
4
Converting employment areas to “mixed use” or “regeneration” areas results in a permanent loss of irreplaceable employment areas and threatens the viability of major employers’ businesses
5
It can also lead to the permanent loss of community-serving retail and services
6
Building high-rises while demolishing vital community services and displacing local employers and jobs is irresponsible development!