Ontario Place to include new OPP detachment, police helicopter pad

Construction equipment is seen at Ontario Place in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO — Ontario’s solicitor general has announced that part of a redeveloped Ontario Place on Toronto’s waterfront will include a new provincial police detachment.

Michael Kerzner says the new Ontario Provincial Police detachment will be built to support the province taking over operations of the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway from the City of Toronto.

The detachment will sit on Ontario Place’s east island and include a helicopter pad, a proposed marine unit and a mounted unit.

OPP will be responsible for traffic patrols on the two highways, and Toronto police will keep responsibility for non-traffic criminal matters on the highways.

Ontario is issuing a request for proposals to build a new administrative and maintenance building at Ontario Place that will house the police detachment.

The provincial government has faced criticism for other aspects of its plans for Ontario Place, including a spa and waterpark, as well as a relocated Ontario Science Centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026.

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press