TORONTO — Ontario Place Protectors (OPP) has successfully stopped further demolition of trees, shrubs or buildings at the Ontario Place site until its case is heard by Ontario’s Superior Court on July 19.
OPP, a broad coalition of organizations and citizens, was initially formed as a reaction to the Doug Ford government’s proposals for Ontario Place.
Plans include the relocation of the Ontario Science Centre building to the site, a spa with an indoor water park, a stage for concerts as well as green space and beaches.
According to an Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Toronto Region) Civil Endorsement Form released July 10, “The applicant seeks to challenge legislation impacting Ontario Place. It seeks a date for an injunction. After discussion with the parties, it was agreed that it would be more efficient to address the application. A date has now been set for July 19, 2024 to hear the application.”
Work is taking place to prepare the site for redevelopment.
As an interim measure, pending the conclusion of the hearing of its application to the Superior Court of Ontario, the province agreed to the following until 6 p.m. on July 19, with respect to the work at Ontario Place:
- Ontario will not cause or permit any permanent destruction of any trees, shrubs or buildings at Ontario Place.
- If unforeseen circumstances require that the work…must be done, for example to prevent a serious risk of harm to any person’s health, Ontario will make best efforts to provide advance notice to the applicant and the court.
OPP was initially formed as a reaction to the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act (ROPA), formerly Schedule 2 of Bill 154.
According to the group’s website, Bill 154 was pushed through the legislature without any legislative debate or hearings and without opportunity for public comment. The group says the law violates the Canadian Constitution and threatens Ontario’s democracy.
“The ramifications of the ROPA go far beyond Ontario Place,” the website states. “Left unchallenged, it will give the Ontario premier and cabinet a template to ignore Ontario’s heritage, environmental, and planning laws and their responsibility to the public anywhere in the province.”
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