These are all the major changes Toronto saw in 2025

Toronto witnessed no shortage of changes throughout 2025, from long-awaited transit openings to housing reforms and major FIFA World Cup preparations. 

The past year brought major shifts across the city and reshaped how everyday residents move, live, and access essential services in Toronto. 

Here's a look back at what was new in Toronto in 2025. 

Travel and transit improvements

Toronto recorded several transportation and infrastructure upgrades in 2025, including improvements to major highways, transit lines, and other key modes of getting around the city.

One of the biggest wins for Toronto in 2025 was the conclusion of construction on the Gardiner Expressway. The City reopened all six lanes between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue roughly 18 months ahead of schedule, and completed the work in about half of the originally planned timeline. 

Construction on the aging expressway was initially expected to conclude in April 2027, but officials confirmed last year that the project would wrap up by the end of 2025, well ahead of the FIFA World Cup. 

The accelerated timeline was made possible by a $73 million investment from the provincial government, which permitted round-the-clock construction and provided additional equipment. 

On the public transit side, Toronto also worked to keep commutes more affordable by freezing TTC fares for a second consecutive year, and advanced major capital investments, including 55 new Line 2 subway cars, began construction on the Scarborough Busway, and opened the long-awaited Finch West LRT. 

New protections for tenants 

In 2025, Toronto also cracked down on "renovictions" by implementing a Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw. As of July 31, 2025, landlords must obtain a licence before starting renovations that require tenants to move out. 

The bylaw aims to curb bad-faith evictions or "renovictions," where tenants are displaced under the pretense of renovations so that landlords can significantly increase rents and prevent tenants from returning to their homes. 

Housing 

The City also created the Housing Development Office and launched the Toronto Builds Policy Framework for City land, completing more than 700 new affordable and rent-geared-to-income homes, began construction on more than 3,400 rent-controlled homes, and approved more than 2,900 additional rent-controlled homes under the Rental Housing Supply Program.

Supported the local economy 

In response to economic uncertainties under tense U.S. trade relations, the City launched its Love Local campaign, which encouraged residents to shop Canadian and support Toronto businesses. 

The initiative was part of Mayor Olivia Chow's Economic Action Plan in Response to United States tariffs and included LED signage that promoted local shopping, dining, and services across the city. 

Toronto also delivered a 15 per cent property tax reduction to roughly 28,000 small businesses. 

Faster emergency response services 

In 2025, the City says it hired 263 new first responders, improved emergency response times, and reduced 911 call wait times by nearly 70 per cent. 

The Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) also marked its one-year anniversary of expanding citywide in 2024, and has responded to more than 35,000 calls since it launched. 

The TCCS introduced a TTC pilot program embedding mobile mental health crisis teams between Spadina and Bloor-Tonge stations on Line 1. 

Preparations for the FIFA World Cup 

With the FIFA World Cup just a few months away, the City significantly ramped up its preparations for the international competition. Last year, Toronto confirmed that it will host six matches at BMO Field (Toronto stadium), completed Phase 1 stadium upgrades, and began Phase 2 construction with MLSE. 

The City also announced Fort York and The Bentway as the City's official FIFA Fan Festival locations. 

Toronto is set to host matches on June 12, June 17, June 20, June 23, June 26, and a Round of 32 knock-out game on July 2. 

Expanded parks, libraries, and recreation spaces 

For the first time ever in 2025, the City announced that all 100 Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches would be open on Sundays, from 12-5 p.m., except on holiday weekends.

Starting in the summer of 2026, all 100 TPL library branches will operate seven days a week, year-round, with the addition of even more weekday hours. 

Toronto also saw the opening of "the largest new park in a generation," with Biidaasige Park, which means "sunlight shining toward us" in Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwemowin. Approximately 50 acres of the park opened in July, and an additional 10 acres are set to open in 2026. 

The park features picnic areas, a playground featuring larger-than-life animal sculptures representing Anishinaabe, Ongwehonwe, and Huron dodems, ziplines, recreational trails, cycling paths, and step-downs to the river for fishing and bird-watching. 

Along with Biidaasige Park, Toronto opened 20 new or expanded parks, upgraded 18 playgrounds, improved 38 tennis courts, and added 31 pickleball courts. 

Strengthened climate resilience 

In 2025, Toronto completed phase one of the Fairbank–Silverthorn Trunk Sewer in an effort to protect thousands of homes from flooding, issued over $5 million in basement flooding subsidies, planted roughly 136,000 trees, and launched the city's first wastewater energy project, which cuts natural gas use by 90 per cent. 

The City also worked to support residents through extreme heat periods and reduce home energy costs through the Air Conditioner Assistance Program, which provides portable air conditioners to low-income seniors. 

The new Furnace Upgrade Program also offered low-cost financing and free energy coaching to help homeowners switch to energy-efficient heat pumps.