Ontario Place save-face shows Ford has yet to learn the lessons of his Greenbelt giveaway

September 14, 2023

GUELPH — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph, Mike Schreiner, released the following statement in response to news that the Conservative government has submitted an updated Planning Act application to the City of Toronto for the construction of the Therme mega spa at Ontario Place.

“It seems the Ford government has yet to learn the lessons of their $8.3 billion Greenbelt scandal.

Despite the rallies and the protests, despite the accusations of back-room dealmaking, they’re still ploughing ahead with their Ontario Place teardown that’s going to see our public land given away for a pay-to-play spa complex.

Ontarians are right to see this for what it is: a clumsy attempt to peddle yet another poor decision made in some back room without input from the actual stakeholders – the people of Ontario.

If we want Ontario Place to remain an affordable place for all, we need to lead with public land in public hands.

We need a laser-focus on building public amenities that work with the surrounding communities – not against them.

What we don’t need is everyday Ontarians footing the bill for yet another of the Ford government’s billion-dollar giveaways.”

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