I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed amendments to the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act, 2023 under the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. Exempting Ontario Place redevelopment projects—and associated provincial permits and approvals—from Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 sets a deeply troubling precedent.

This exemption would eliminate public notice and the right to comment on decisions that could have profound and lasting environmental and social impacts. Stripping away public input undermines transparency, weakens accountability, and erodes trust in the democratic process. Ontario’s environmental laws were created to protect not just our natural spaces, but the rights of citizens to participate meaningfully in decisions that shape our communities.

Moreover, this move appears to prioritize unchecked development over environmental stewardship, sidestepping the rigorous scrutiny that such a high-impact project deserves. Ontario Place is a publicly cherished space, and any redevelopment should be subject to full environmental oversight and robust public engagement—not fast-tracked behind closed doors.

I urge you to uphold the integrity of the Environmental Bill of Rights and protect public participation, not erode it. Responsible development must never come at the expense of democratic rights or environmental responsibility.