Skip to content
HighOnCity Toronto
NEWS

CBC investigation examines whether Regent Park revitalization succeeded or failed

Reporter Igor Petrov investigates Canada's largest public housing experiment — a five-phased redevelopment that has built 1,877 new units since 2006 with billions spent.

· 2 min read · HOC Toronto Desk
CBC investigation examines whether Regent Park revitalization succeeded or failed
File photo: Maxwell Fury / Pexels
★ FREE NEWSLETTER
Get the best of Greater Toronto in your inbox

The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.

CBC has launched an investigation into one of Canada's most ambitious urban redevelopment projects: the transformation of Toronto's Regent Park.

The Regent Park Revitalization Plan began in 2005 as a partnership between the City of Toronto, development partners, government agencies, and community stakeholders, with revitalization work starting in 2006. The five-phased redevelopment was designed to transform the neighbourhood into a mixed-use, mixed-income community.

Since 2006, Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) has built new housing units as part of the initiative. Reporter Igor Petrov's investigation, airing now in a 7-minute 48-second segment, examines whether the revitalization has delivered on its promise or represents an unfulfilled experiment.

The investigation frames the central question facing the city: whether the Regent Park model — a massive investment combining public housing replacement with mixed-income development — should be viewed as a successful blueprint for other Toronto neighbourhoods or as a cautionary tale of billions spent without proportional community benefit.

The report does not specify the total amount invested, how many residents were originally displaced, whether the revitalization is complete or ongoing, or the specific findings of the investigation itself — those details are contained within the video segment.

The facts

When did revitalization work begin in Regent Park?

Revitalization work in Regent Park began in 2006, following the launch of the Regent Park Revitalization Plan in 2005.

How many new housing units has Toronto Community Housing Corporation built in Regent Park since 2006?

Toronto Community Housing Corporation has built 1,877 new units in Regent Park since 2006 as part of the five-phased redevelopment.

Who is investigating the Regent Park revitalization?

Reporter Igor Petrov is investigating the Regent Park revitalization for CBC in a segment that is 7 minutes 48 seconds long.