The NDP MPP says that the project will kill wildlife and a lot of trees
An environmental assessment for Infrastructure Ontario’s planned redevelopment of Ontario Place says the project will be good for the environment overall, but it doesn’t take into account the controversial spa or live-music venue that will be built there.
Chris Glover, an NDP MPP, says that private projects on government land don’t have to go through environmental reviews. Glover says that the assessment doesn’t give a full picture of how the redevelopment will affect the environment if these projects aren’t included.
In an interview with CBC Toronto, Glover said, “The whole island is going to be wiped out so that this mega spa can be built.”
“What effect does building this huge glass dome in the middle of a global warming crisis have on the environment?”
Glover says that about 850 trees will be cut down and animals like minks and beavers will be killed to make room for the private spa, which has been a source of controversy for months.
During a by-election for mayor of Toronto, the project became a campaign issue. Mayor-elect Olivia Chow promised to “keep Ontario Place public.”
Ontario’s infrastructure minister, Kinga Surma, has a spokesperson who says the province’s main goal is to make Ontario Place a year-round, world-class destination.
Sofia Sousa-Dias said in an email, “As part of the redevelopment, tenants are required to work with relevant local, regional, provincial, and federal authorities to get all required environmental approvals/permits before any construction works.”
In an email, a representative for Therme Canada, the company that built the spa, said, “We’re looking forward to making a huge new public park and places for fish and wildlife to live, which will let millions more people enjoy the waterfront.”
The environment will be better after redevelopment: repor
Jacobs Consultancy Canada Inc., a company that does management consulting, did the environmental assessment, which didn’t include the part of the East Island where Live Nation’s music venue will be and the whole West Island. You can read the company’s full evaluation at the end of this story.
The report says that the environmental outlook is good for the parts of the redevelopment it did look at.
“After physical construction is done, [the project] will improve the natural, social, and cultural environment,” the report says.
The assessment says that the overall quality and amount of vegetation will get better, and that there will be more wetlands.It does say, though, that building on the land could bring in or spread invasive species.
The people who work on-site will be taught how to deal with invasive species, which will be “managed appropriately” if they are found.
The report also says that the construction will disturb migratory and breeding bird species because of the removal of plants. However, the report says that the birds will probably find “alternative habitat” in places like Trillium Park, Coronation Park, and Tommy Thompson Park.
Here’s where you can read the full report:Mobile users: View the documentHere’s where you can read the full report: (PDF KB)Here’s where you can read the full report: (Text KB)CBC is not responsible for 3rd party content