I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the province’s plan to alter the combined sewage pipe at Ontario Place to discharge into the West Channel of Lake Ontario. This proposal poses significant environmental and social risks that cannot be overlooked.

The waterfront is one of Toronto’s most cherished public spaces, vital to the mental and physical health of residents, families, and tourists. It supports recreational activities such as swimming, rowing, and dragon boat racing, making it essential to safeguard its ecological and social value. Dumping sewage into the West Channel, a low-flow waterway, will create a stagnant bathtub of contaminated water. This will inevitably degrade water quality and pose severe health risks, including the spread of waterborne illnesses like E. coli and Listeria.

While the province claims the plan will not harm water quality, experts, including former project landscape architect Walter Kehm, have highlighted its dangers. Such actions would harm the local ecosystem and render popular areas like Sunnyside Beach, and the surrounding waterfront unusable.

Additionally, Therme's prioritization of a private mega spa over public access and environmental preservation is troubling. Public funds and policies should aim to enhance the lakefront's natural ecosystem, not compromise it for commercial interests. Enforcing stormwater management bylaws and investing in green infrastructure would be far better solutions to protect and restore Lake Ontario's and its wildlife's health.

I urge the ministry to cancel this plan, halt further degradation of our waterfront, and prioritize sustainable redevelopment that benefits the environment and the public. Lake Ontario is a shared resource, and its preservation is critical for future generations.