In 1894 this riding was split into four parts of which Toronto East was one.

In 1867, when the province of Ontario was established, two ridings were created to represent the city of Toronto.

Toronto East was created from the city wards of St. Lawrence, St. Davids and St. James.

In the second incarnation, the boundaries were Lake Ontario to the south and Danforth Avenue to the north.

Its eastern border consisted of Coxwell Avenue north to Queen Street East, west along Queen to Greenwoods Avenue (now Greenwood Avenue) and north along Greenwoods to the Danforth.