REVISION OF DOUG FORD'S ONTARIO PLACE RECONSTRUCTION PLAN

Premier Doug Ford and his government are facing public opposition to their plan to redevelop Ontario Place, which includes a long-term lease of the western island from the Austrian company Terme to build a large private water park and spa.

The Office of the Auditor General of Ontario is launching an investigation into a plan submitted to the city for consideration last fall, which includes 16 hectares of public parkland on the West Island, including a new beach, boardwalk and bike paths.

The province has allocated about $650 million in public funds for infrastructure upgrades and a new underground garage with the capacity of 2,000 parking spots.

In April, Ford announced that the Ontario Science Center, currently located in northeast Toronto, would also be relocated to the site. Ontario Place as part of a broader renovation.

A request to review the plan was filed last December by the group Ontario Place for All which organizes public opposition to the project. 

The spokesperson for the Minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, said that the works on Ontario Place were already well underway and that the reconstruction was a "competitive and open process" led by non-partisan officials. "Audits are a standard part of government business." We will continue to work together with our partners to rebuild a place in Ontario that families, students and tourists can enjoy," they added.

Recently, the NDP tabled a motion in Parliament seeking to cancel the lease with Terma, but it was rejected by the Progressive Conservatives.

Simon Bredin, a spokesman for Terme, said the company looks forward to working with the auditor general's office. "We are confident that they will discover the participation of the Terme in the revitalization of Ontario Place and delivers excellent value for Ontarians," he said.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and several other city councillors oppose Ford's redevelopment plan. Ausma Malik, in whose ward the land is in, also said they oppose the rebuilding plan.