I am commenting on the…

I am commenting on the proposal for an interim combined sewer to enable the private spa on publicly owned land at 955 Lake Shore Boulevard (Ontario Place).

I am vehemently opposed to this proposal.

It will negate decades of work by the City of Toronto to separate and replace combined sewers across the waterfront so that raw sewage isn't discharged directly into Lake Ontario. It also makes a mockery of international agreements to protect water quality and habitat in the Great Lakes. The sewage will also risk human health through reduced water quality at beaches -- many of which are already closed for long stretches every summer because of elevated E.coli levels -- and impacts on fish stocks. And nothing says "Come to Toronto, we're a great tourist destination!" like dumping untreated sewage into the drinking water.

Unsurprisingly, the province has not held any public consultations about this work because it's completely indefensible.

This proposal will only benefit private sector initiatives and is not in the public interest. It threatens the stability of the lake's ecosystem at a time when we should be doing everything we can to protect it for future generations.

I urge you to do the right thing and deny this permit.