Fighting for Ontario Place and Ontario’s Democracy - by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik

The Rebuilding Ontario Place Act immunizes the government from any "remedy in contract, restitution, tort, misfeasance, bad faith, trust or fiduciary obligation, any equitable remedy or any remedy under any statute". This is part of a larger pattern of the Ford government protecting itself from accountability for the decisions that they make which benefit themselves and their friends contrary to the public interest. The Rebuilding Ontario Place Ac also exempts the government from any responsibilities under the Environmental Assessment Act, which many suspect would reveal catastrophic impacts not only on the natural environment but also on infrastructure and traffic. For years, Doug Ford has been testing the boundaries of our democracy, including most recently announcing that he plans to exempt himself from Freedom of Information laws. This bill, if allowed to stand, will set a dangerous precedent - permitting the Premier to put his own interests ahead of the public good. Torontonians deserve to be represented in this case. And when residents are willing to show leadership for our city's interests, they deserve to know that City Hall has their backs.