Ontario Place Protectors (OPP) seeks injunction against Government of Ontario

Ontario Place Protectors (OPP) is seeking an injunction in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice to stop the demolition at Ontario Place that began on the site’s West Island on Sunday, June 27.

The work began under the authority of the “Rebuilding Ontario Place Act” (ROPA)—despite the Act being challenged in court by OPP, and awaiting a trial date.

“In spite of the matter being before the courts, the Ontario government is thumbing its nose at the courts and the public, and continuing with its bull-headed destruction,” said Catherine Nasmith, the OPP director who is signator to the injunction. “The premature destruction is a further betrayal of the public trust.”

According to OPP, the grounds for the challenge are that the Act is “unlawful, a breach of public trust, and unconstitutional.”

ROPA exempts the government from adhering to the Ontario Heritage Act and the Environmental Protection Act.

OPP noted that ROPA allows the government to ignore Ontario’s Growth Plan, the Environmental Bill of Rights, and the Provincial Policy Statement.

It also noted that ROPA allows the government to destroy “an internationally lauded cultural landscape,” which includes both buildings at Ontario Place and its integrated landscape.

Additionally, ROPA exempts Ford and his government from any liability for acts of bad faith, misfeasance, or failure to meet any fiduciary obligations.

OPP noted that all this is being done to build a spa and that there has been little public consultation and no transparency.

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