Today, the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario marked another major milestone in delivering affordable and reliable public transit in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Work has officially been completed on the excavation of the Yonge North Subway Extension's tunnel launch shaft - where two tunnel boring machines will begin digging 6.3 kilometres of tunnels.

"Reliable, modern public transit is key to building connected and resilient communities. We are partnering with provinces and territories to build the local infrastructure that our communities need. The Yonge North Subway Extension is exactly the sort of project that will help grow Toronto strong and shape the future of how we move and explore our community."

The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

"I am thrilled to see construction is now underway on the Yonge North Subway Extension. This project will help to transform the commute for thousands in York Region, North York and beyond. The Government of Canada will continue to deliver public transit funding across the country that will help to build transit-oriented communities."

The Honourable Ali Ehsassi, Member of Parliament for Willowdale

"Our government is making historic investments in public transit to protect Ontario's economy and keep people moving in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty. The Yonge North Subway Extension will bring subway service to Markham and Richmond Hill for the first time ever and connect thousands of people to housing and good-paying jobs."

The Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario's Minister of Transportation

"Today's groundbreaking for the Yonge North Subway Extension marks a significant milestone for York Region and a project we have long advocated for. Once complete, the Yonge North Subway Extension will transform how people move across our communities, connecting residents to jobs, housing and opportunity while helping to reduce congestion. On behalf of York Regional Council and our 1.3 million residents, we thank the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and our municipal partners for their continued collaboration in delivering this critical transit project and supporting a more connected and sustainable future for York Region."

Eric Jolliffe, Chairman and CEO, The Regional Municipality of York

• The federal government's investment in the Yonge North Subway Extension is part of an historic investment of over $10 billion in the Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, and the Yonge North Subway Extension.

• To accelerate delivery of this project and others like it, the federal government and the Government of Ontario signed the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build earlier this year.

• The Yonge North Subway Extension will cut the distance personal vehicles travel by 7,700 kilometres during rush hour and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 4,800 tonnes each year.

• Construction of the extension will support 4,300 jobs per year and will stimulate the local economy, generating over $3.6 billion in economic benefits.

• Bridge Station, a newly proposed transit hub on the northern segment of the line, will connect to GO train and bus lines, as well as regional and local bus services.

• In September 2024, York Region signed an Agreement in Principle with the Province of Ontario to advance construction of the YNSE. This agreement builds on the Ontario-York Region Transit Partnership Preliminary Agreement signed in 2020. The Agreement in Principle is a high-level document which sets out broad principles and responsibilities of the parties relating to funding, project implementation, ownership and access, information sharing, communications, operations and maintenance, dispute resolution, and future agreements for the advancement of the YNSE project.

• Ontario is investing $70 billion in the largest transit expansion in North America, including the largest subway expansion in Canadian history with the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension.

Associated links

• Largest public transit investment in GTA history will create jobs and kickstart the economy
• Housing and Infrastructure Project Map
• Yonge North Subway Extension

For more information (media only), please contact:

Arianna Durgerian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
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Media Relations
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
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Dakota Brasier
Ministry of Transportation
Minister's Office
[email protected]