Green Party calls on Ford government to halt demolition, consult community on Foundry heritage buildings

January 19, 2021

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner and local Green Party of Ontario members are calling on the Ford government to halt demolition of heritage properties at 153-185 Eastern Avenue in Toronto, and immediately begin consultations with the local community and the City.

This property is the latest to come under attack from the Ford government through its ongoing abuse of Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs). The Ford government recently used an Ministerial Zoning Order to approve building a warehouse on a wetland.

“MZOs should be used as the exception, not the rule,” said GPO leader Mike Schreiner.

“While I applaud the desire to build affordable housing, this can be achieved without demolishing a heritage site. We can support vulnerable people without destroying the places we love,“ added Schreiner.

A large complex like this could be an opportunity to build a unique, vibrant neighbourhood in an area already filled with community and history. Instead, the Ford government’s use of an MZO prevents community consultation and input.

“The disregard for transparency, community consultation, and local-decision making is blatant and outrageous. It speaks to the Conservatives’ mean streak against municipalities, and Toronto in particular — from the irresponsible use of MZOs to the cancelling of ranked ballots, and the unilateral slashing of City Council,” said Adam Sommerfield, President, Toronto-Centre Green Party of Ontario Constituency Association.

“The Ford government’s claim that the destruction of heritage buildings is to make way for affordable housing is clearly a calculated deflection — conserving the buildings and building affordable housing are NOT incompatible. Quite the contrary, not to mention the potential for cultural or community spaces,” added Sommerfield.

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