What does the decent amount of job space mean at 43 Junction Road redevelopment?

What Does “Decent Amount of Job Space” Mean at 43 Junction Road?

The city has decided that  a  “Decent amount of job space” required at 43 Junction Road (and 5 Junction Road) under SASP 782:”

At full build-out of the whole site, the developer must provide:

• At least 9,300 square metres of total employment space (roughly the size of about 2 football fields of floor area).
• Of that, at least 6,500 square metres must be higher-quality “Core Employment” space — things like offices, artist studios, performing arts studios, research & development, tech/info facilities, cultural spaces, incubators, or co-working spaces.
• At least 1,500 square metres of other compatible “General Employment” uses must be built before or at the same time as the first homes go up.

The developer cannot build just a group of condos. Some of the project has to include work spaces, Yet  “creative/office” type spaces make up the majority of the job area, which are out the the Junction character.

Good quality jobs or low-paying jobs?

The rules push toward better-quality jobs, not just any low-wage work.

The required 6,500 m² of Core Employment space is aimed at creative, professional, tech, cultural, and knowledge-based jobs.

These are generally seen as higher-skill, better-paying jobs compared to basic retail or heavy industrial.

The extra space can include some lighter General Employment uses, but everything must be compatible with people living right next door (no noisy factories or truck-heavy operations that would bother residents).

Toronto’s goal here is to create a mix — not all condos, and not all low-end jobs. The emphasis on offices, studios, incubators, and co-working leans toward “good quality” employment that supports a diverse economy.

There are clear rules:

• The full 9,300 m² must be built by the time the entire project is finished.
• A big portion of the 1,500 m² General Employment part has to come early,before or with the first residential phase.
• The spaces must be compatible with residential uses (decided through studies).
• The developer has to submit a phasing plan showing how and when the job space will be delivered.
• These requirements are locked into the Official Plan via SASP 782, so the City can enforce them as part of approvals and building permits.

• Source: Toronto Official Plan, Chapter 7, Site and Area Specific Policy 782 (as of 2025 consolidation).