As Premier Doug Ford announced his government’s plan to revitalize Ontario Place and move the Ontario Science Centre to the Ontario Place’s grounds, Toronto’s mayoral candidates have been vocally taking positions of support or objecting to the province’s plan.
In late April, Premier Ford announced that his government would be pursuing plans in collaboration with the city of Toronto to revitalize the dilapidated Ontario Place that has been closed since 2012. This plan would, in part, see the Ontario Science Centre move from its current location at Don Mills and Eglinton to Ontario Place.
Toronto’s mayoral candidates have been weighing in on the proposal, with varying levels of support or opposition.
Olivia Chow, Mitzie Hunter, Anthony Perruzza and Josh Matlow, as well as Brad Bradford have come out against the proposal, criticizing the provincial government for moving a valuable institution out of the Flemington Park community.
On the other hand, candidates Ana Bailão and Anthony Furey came out with conditional support for the Ford government’s plan.
Bailão says that she would support the Ford government’s plan to move the Science Centre if the building was preserved and housing was built on the Science Centre’s parking lot.
“Ana Bailão is calling on them to guarantee the Science Centre building will be preserved and used to serve the local community,” says Bailão’s campaign.
“As Mayor, Ana would approve building 5,000 new homes – including 1,500 affordable homes – on the city-owned land where the Science Centre’s parking lot is, and on the land outside of the ravine.”
Furey, who is currently on leave as True North vice-president of editorial and content, says he would call for public consultations so that local communities can have a say on the plan.
“I respect that people are extremely passionate about plans for both the Science Centre and Ontario Place, this is why I’ve called for public consultations on the final plans. The people need to have their say before I can approve this project as Mayor,” Furey told True North.
Hunter said that the province rushed their plan and Torontonians shouldn’t have to go downtown if they wish to visit an attraction.
“This is yet another rushed decision that does not take into account the best interest of the whole city, particularly the community around the Science Centre and the people who live there,” said Hunter.
“And also for many others in Toronto who should not always have to go downtown if they want to visit an attraction.”
Ward 12 councillor Josh Matlow sent an open letter to the Ford government asking them to reconsider their plan to move the Science Centre.
“I am requesting that your government reconsider moving the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place and meet with parent groups and community leaders in Thorncliffe, Flemingdon Park and the wider Don Mills area,” reads Matlow’s letter.
“The Science Centre serves as an important economic driver of this community by bringing visitors from across the city and around the world to Don Mills and Eglinton.”
Brad Bradford says that downtown politicians are “obsessed” with moving the Science Centre downtown and stripping the Thorncliffe community of a cultural asset.
“For 50 years, the Ontario Science Centre has been an important cultural and educational asset to this community providing jobs and entertainment for families,” said Bradford in a Twitter video.
Olivia Chow made a similar statement, urging the Ford government to reverse course.
“Ripping the Ontario Science Centre out of the Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe neighbourhoods is the wrong choice,” said Chow.
The Ford government says that they are moving the Ontario Science Centre out of a building they say is old and run down and will open up space to build housing, a community centre, or a school.
“They’re in this old, run-down building (where) the attendance is down 40 per cent,” said Ford at a press conference.
Former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders has remained relatively quiet on the issue and did not respond to True North’s request for comment on the matter.
