As invited, I am writing to…

As invited, I am writing to comment on the proposal for an interim combined sewer to support development at 955 Lake Shore Boulevard (Ontario Place).

I am strongly opposed to the proposal which goes against decades of work by the City of Toronto to separate and replace combined sewers across the city to prevent the discharge of raw sewage into Lake Ontario. We have enough trouble with sewage in the lake already and there is absolutely no justification to increase this. It also conflicts with international agreements to protect water quality and habitat in the Great Lakes. This effluent risks human health, water quality at beaches, fishing and the quality of the lake as a tourist attraction.

The province has not held any consultations about this work with the general public, which is very disturbing.

This proposal - and in fact the entire proposal for the spa at Ontario Place - seems only to benefit private sector initiatives, is not in the public interest and threatens the stability of the lake ecosystem in a time of severe biodiversity loss. Not only that, but the public is incurring significant expense (MY tax dollars) to benefit a private corporation - while at the same time removing access to Ontario Place from its existing public use for Ontario citizens! It makes absolutely no sense. Please deny this permit.