Response to MM11.39 - Protecting the Process for Tree Removal at Ontario Place

The Official Plan Amendment is for the entirety of Ontario Place. The Zoning By-law Amendment is for the whole site but proposes specific permissions for the Therme tourism, entertainment and waterpark facilities on the mainland and West Island, as well as the mainland parking structure serving multiple tenants and uses, including LiveNation, science programming at the Cinesphere and Pods and visitors to the public realm across the Island. These applications were initially submitted on November 25, 2022; revised applications were submitted on September 18, 2023. The applications envision a large scale redevelopment of the public lands and attractions at Ontario Place. The site is a Provincially-significant heritage and tourism attraction used by visitors from across Ontario, Canada and internationally. Ontario Place closed as a fully operating attraction in 2012, and the existing buildings, bridges, servicing infrastructure and shoreline are understood to require reinvestment to ensure the future viability of the site. Ontario Place today also serves as a waterfront public amenity and a cultural heritage landscape of international significance. The tree removals currently being contemplated (including tree removal on lands that are owned by the City of Toronto) are related to the Provincial-led servicing works, which excludes the West Island. The current scope of tree removal includes the removal of trees from the East Island, including within the Live Nation leased area, and the mainland. Infrastructure Ontario has communicated that these servicing upgrades need to be done regardless of future use as the existing services are beyond their design life. This work is being undertaken in accordance with the completed Category B Public Works Class Environmental Assessment for Ontario Place Site Servicing. The development applications filed by Infrastructure Ontario indicate that the proposed redevelopment will also require the future removal of trees throughout the Ontario Place site, including tree removal on the West Island and lands that are owned by the City of Toronto. On October 6, 2023, staff of the Ministry of Infrastructure informed City staff in writing that, per Provincial authorities, the Province will not be formally seeking municipal permits for the removal of trees located on Provincially-owned lands. However, the Province confirmed that it will follow the municipal process with regard to due diligence, tree protection and replacement standards. Infrastructure Ontario subsequently confirmed that the Province will seek tree removal permits for bylaw protected trees located on City-owned lands in connection with its site servicing works for the proposed development provided in the License, Permission to Enter and Construct Agreement executed between the City of Toronto and Infrastructure Ontario in April of 2023.