The proposed amendments to…

The proposed amendments to the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act, 2023 under the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 raise serious concerns about transparency, public accountability, and environmental oversight. By exempting Ontario Place redevelopment-related proposals from Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, the government is effectively removing the public’s right to be informed and to provide input on significant environmental decisions. This move undermines a fundamental democratic process that ensures developments are subject to public scrutiny and ecological responsibility. Fast-tracking approvals without public consultation risks overlooking potential environmental harms and community concerns, setting a dangerous precedent for sidelining environmental protections in the name of expediency. The rise in coyote attacks in Parkdale and Liberty VIllage subsequent to the leveling of Ontario Place are key evidence that habitat is being destroyed putting wildlife in direct conflict with people and pets. Not to mention, such an exemption diminishes trust in government decision-making and prioritizes short-term economic interests over long-term environmental sustainability and public interest.

Furthermore, recent revelations about the Therme Group's involvement in the Ontario Place redevelopment have intensified scrutiny of the project's integrity. An investigation by the New York Times uncovered that Therme misrepresented its operational experience during the bidding process, falsely claiming to operate multiple spa facilities across Europe when it had only run a single location in Romania. Additionally, Ontario's auditor general reported that Therme had special access to provincial executives during the submission process, which was not fair or transparent. Such findings raise serious questions about the fairness of the procurement process and the government's due diligence in awarding the contract. These concerns are compounded by the government's decision to exempt the project from public consultation requirements, effectively removing a critical layer of oversight. This combination of questionable procurement practices and reduced public accountability underscores the need for a more transparent and responsible approach to the Ontario Place redevelopment.​

It is clear that the public does not support this terrible deal and all the shady amendments made to force it through!