While there are still many questions being asked about the Ford government’s controversial redevelopment of Ontario Place, a member of the premier’s inner circle will not be the subject of a former probe – at least for the time being.
The province’s integrity commissioner has declined a request from Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles to investigate Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma’s role in the project, alleging she favoured Therme when the company was chosen to build a European spa at the waterfront park.
The integrity commissioner determined Surma was not the minister when the deal with Therme was approved and that she did not assume responsibility for Ontario Place until August 29, 2022.
“I think something smells really bad here and Ontarians know it,” said Stiles, who indicated she is not about to give up on getting answers to her questions.
“The Integrity Commissioner has a very narrow scope, and that complaint was one tool, I would say, in the toolbox. We’ve seen the auditor general’s very damning report on the cost overruns and how this was conducted.”
The Auditor General’s report last fall did determine that the overall process was not “fair, transparent or accountable” and the government assessment was “irregular and subjective.”
Meanwhile, the group Ontario Place For All went back to court Thursday to support an argument that the legislation to move ahead with the redevelopment is unlawful.
“It is the government putting themselves entirely above the law and every single dimension in terms of what it does at an important heritage and natural asset for the province,” said Ontario Place for All co-founder Cynthia Wilkey.
At last count, the cost to taxpayers for the Ontario Place redevelopment had risen $1.8 billion from the original estimates, including $700 million to relocate the Ontario Science Centre to the waterfront park.
Stiles says she’s willing to confront the premier when it comes to the cost overruns if Ford decides to send Ontarians to the polls early based on the premise he needs a mandate to spend money elsewhere.
“Everywhere I go, nobody can believe that this government is spending $2.2 billion of their hard-earned money, your hard-earned money, on this project, and the people of Ontario deserve to know why.”
