Private spa not included in environmental assessment of Ontario Place redevelopment
An environmental assessment conducted for Infrastructure Ontario on the planned redevelopment of Ontario Place says the project will result in a net benefit to the physical environment, but does not account for the creation of the controversial spa or live music venue planned for the site.
According to NDP MP Chris Glover, private projects on government land are exempt from environmental impact assessments. Glover says without including those projects, the assessment doesn’t give a full picture of the environmental impact of the redevelopment.
“The whole island is going to be destroyed as part of this, you know, to build this mega-spa,” Glover said in an interview with CBC Toronto.
“What’s the impact, the environmental impact, of building this huge glass dome in the middle of a global warming crisis?”
Glover says about 850 trees will be cut down and existing wildlife, such as minks and beavers, killed to make way for the private spa that has been the center of controversy for months.
The project became a campaign issue during Toronto’s midterm mayoral election, with Mayor-elect Olivia Chow pledging to “keep Ontario public.”
A spokesman for Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, says the province is aiming to transform Ontario Place into a world-class year-round destination.
“As part of the redevelopment, tenants are required to work with relevant local, regional, state and federal authorities to obtain all required environmental approvals/permits prior to construction work,” Sofia Sousa-Dias said in an email.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Therme Canada, the company behind the spa, said in an email: “We look forward to creating a massive new public park and habitats for fish and wildlife, bringing millions more people off the waterfront. can enjoy.”
Redevelopment will improve the environment: report
The environmental assessment, which excludes part of the East Island, which will house the Live Nation music venue and all of the West Island, was conducted by Jacobs Consultancy Canada Inc. – a company that provides management consulting services. You can read a full version of the company’s assessment at the bottom of this story.
For the parts of the redevelopment it did assess, the report says the environmental outlook is positive.
“[The project] will improve the natural, social and cultural environment after physical construction activities,” the report reads.
The assessment says the overall quality and quantity of vegetation will improve, while wetlands will also increase. But it notes that construction on land could introduce or spread invasive species.
Those working on site receive training on how to deal with invasive species, which the assessment says will be “appropriately managed” if identified.
The report also notes that removing vegetation during construction will disrupt migratory and breeding bird species, but adds that those animals are likely to find “alternative habitat in surrounding areas” such as Trillium Park, Coronation Park and Tommy Thompson Park .
