Why The Fuss?

Standing up for Ontario Place part two, and why we need to use it or lose it.

Apparently the battle over Ontario Place could be a key issue in the mayoral race. I don’t necessarily agree. Although so many of us are keenly aware of the importance of our public lands and water, our elections are not a measure of how much people care about land, water, beauty and health. They are about who has time to vote, which candidates have name recognition and money, and which leader in general seems to be most liked or respected (or sometimes, just the least unpalatable). So no matter how much press the Ontario Place issue gets, I find it hard to imagine that an entire city of people who are concerned about jobs, crime, transit and a whole host of other issues will devote their attention or their vote solely to the fate of Ontario Place.

Yet that doesn’t mean that this isn’t an important issue. And protecting our waterfront does not need to come at the expense of those other areas of public concern.

Protecting our waterfront starts with a principle I think we should apply to all our actions in Toronto - first, do no harm. While Doug Ford and the provincial government, as well as Therme, are getting a lot of the blame for what is happening, few may realize that this project simply can not go forward without the approval of the city of Toronto. All Toronto City Council needs to do is recognize that this project, as is currently envisioned, is very likely to do harm.

The negative impacts of the Therme project as planned go beyond its impact on the local environment and cost to the public purse. They extend throughout the city, because it continues a pattern of removing public space - of the privatization of land that started long ago and continues to harm us as a species. This Therme project will narrow the already scarce opportunities for Torontonians to access free outdoor space. Our parks are already overcrowded in the summer and every time we remove public space from people we add pressure to remaining areas of refuge.

The good news is, stopping this development is really easy with political will. Therme requires zoning approval for its proposal. Council has the power to say yes or no. No need to waste time or money that can be spent in other areas in this city. Just say no to loss of public space, and yes to the opportunity that can come with a renewed commitment to something better.

In a way, we can thank Therme and the provincial government to raising our awareness of the importance of our waterfront. That we are still paving paradise to put up parking lots is in part due to our lack of connection with paradise. Though I frequented Ontario Place as a child, I seldom visited after its closure. It was only once Therme’s plans started to gain traction that I rediscovered my childhood grounds, and during my last mayoral campaign met the group of cold water swimmers that are lake and beachfront stewards. Since meeting that group, I’ve gone out swimming many times - the picture of us above was taken this week-end -and rediscovered just how important this beautiful gem is.

What if we allowed Ontario Place lands to be redeveloped by local communities instead of investors based far away from Toronto? Advocacy group Ontario Place for All has set out a group of core principles that would guide such efforts perfectly.

For me personally, what I’d love to see at Ontario Place

• removal of concrete wherever possible and renaturalization of the area - with or without human assistance (nature can do a lot of the job on its own).

• conversion of the majority of existing parking lot land into parks, like micro forests to purify the air or wetlands to purify runoff from the Lakeshore. A small part of existing pavement could be retained for drop-offs and TTC shuttles.

• part of the Lakeshore converted to natural landscape that would also allow safe movement of humans and human powered traffic year round.

• repurpose of existing Ontario Place buildings and structures according to the needs of Torontonians, and with minimal cost and environmental impact.

• incorporation where possible of private businesses that want to work within a mission of increasing our enjoyment of the waterfront while cleaning our water and rejuvenating the natural landscapes. Food trucks, music or other entertainment - there are a multitude of ways entrepreneurs could serve the needs of the public without taking land away from them. Imagine being able to cross country ski or skate at Ontario Place, fuelled by delicious local food, and then heat up in a small sauna and jump into the lake afterwards? Followed by a concert or a film? Private and public interests can come together as long as the boundaries to protect public space and our environment are clearly defined.

While we work to shift the plans for Ontario Place from expensive private spa and parking lot to a public wonder to benefit us all, let’s remember to cherish all the other areas in Toronto that aren’t getting the spotlight. By visiting our parks and out waterfront (Cherry Beach, the Leslie Street Spit, the Toronto Islands) we get both present day enjoyment and future protection since as active users we are more likely to become allies and stewards than if we just stay home.

Press conferences (tomorrow at 9 am at City Hall) and mayoral debates (May 6, right on the beach) about Ontario Place are great. I hope the attention we are placing on this one piece of land will inspire us to expand our vision for what’s possible in this entire city.