Subject: Opposition to the…

Subject: Opposition to the Proposed Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, which seeks to amend the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act, 2023. This legislation would exempt the Ontario Place redevelopment project from Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, removing requirements for public notice and opportunities for comment on provincial permits and approvals related to the project.

This proposed exemption raises serious concerns on several fronts:

1. Environmental, Wildlife, and Public Safety Impact:The redevelopment has already led to the displacement of local wildlife, notably coyotes, resulting in increased human-wildlife conflicts in nearby neighbourhoods. Wildlife experts have been consulted by local news outlets and confirmed that construction activities at Ontario Place have pushed coyote populations into urban areas. Creating preventable incidents that necessitated the euthanization of animals to ensure public safety. Further, exempting the redevelopment of Ontario Place from public comment and consultation would remove public oversight on ecological issues that can and have lead to harms of public safety. The Provinces’s actions have directly contributed to these public safety concerns, and the failure of the provincial government to acknowledge this link or take responsibility for mitigating the impact is deeply troubling and unacceptable. If the Province continues at this pace, than its clear that the Province does not place any value the safety of its residents and will likely continue on future development projects across the province.

2. Transparency and Accountability:Reports by The New York Times have revealed that Therme Group, the company awarded the redevelopment contract, may have misrepresented its experience and financial stability during the bidding process. The New York Times investigation specifically found that, in pitching itself to the world, Therme has misrepresented itself—misleading the Ontario government and exaggerating its experience in its bid to secure the Toronto deal. Furthermore, the Ontario Auditor General's report criticized the redevelopment plan as "not fair, transparent or accountable," highlighting concerns about the procurement process and escalating costs. Removing public consultation requirements would further diminish transparency and public trust in the project's governance and the Province's ability to execute large capital mandates under it's purview. If the government is unwilling or unable to conduct reasonable due diligence—both before awarding contracts and in the face of serious red flags—it calls into question its competency to manage projects of this magnitude in the public interest. 

3. Public Interest and the Public Good:Ontario Place holds significant cultural, historical, and recreational value for the people of Ontario. The proposed redevelopment, including the construction of a massive private spa, has faced sustained opposition from local communities, urban planners, and heritage advocates who argue it would compromise public access and erase key aspects of the site's legacy. Removing the public’s right to comment on and participate in the approval process effectively silences the voices of those most affected and undermines democratic planning principles. Prioritizing private commercial interests over the long-term public good sets a dangerous precedent for future development on public lands.

In conclusion, the proposed legislative amendments would erode essential environmental safeguards, diminish transparency, and ignore the legitimate concerns of Ontario residents. I urge you to reject this proposal and ensure that any redevelopment of Ontario Place proceeds with full environmental accountability, public engagement, and respect for the public interest.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/canada/therme-spa-ontario-cana…
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-coyotes-euthanized-1.753…
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/11/21/toronto-coyotes-sightings-libert…
https://globalnews.ca/news/11020431/toronto-coyote-action-demanded/
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/04/01/toronto-hires-coyote-aversion-ex…