Ford Government Launches Controversial Ontario Place Ads, Cost Unknown

UPDATE: The Ford government has just launched a new advertising blitz promoting its contentious overhaul of Ontario Place, but officials are refusing to disclose the campaign’s cost. This four-month initiative began at the end of August 2023 and is set to run until late December 2023, aiming to modernize the iconic Toronto waterfront attraction.

The campaign employs broad messaging to remind the public about the redevelopment plans, featuring slogans like “Get ready for a brand new Ontario Place.” Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho defended the initiative, stating it is crucial for the public to understand the impending changes. “I think it’s something people should get excited about,” he told Global News, emphasizing the transformative vision for the area.

However, the financial details of the campaign remain shrouded in mystery. Cho did not address questions about the advertising budget directly, with his office indicating that figures would eventually be available through public accounts. Critics, including Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, argue that taxpayer money should not fund such a campaign, asserting that it serves more to shield the government from backlash over the project.

Stiles stated, “Ontarians are really, really unhappy about this,” referring to the public’s growing discontent with the redevelopment plans. Two years ago, the province allocated $2 million for a similar awareness campaign, which came in response to early negative sentiments regarding the Ontario Place vision.

Central to the controversy is the involvement of the Austrian company Therme, which is set to construct a privately-owned spa and waterpark on the West Island of Ontario Place. The Ford government granted Therme a 95-year lease for the public land, a decision that has sparked significant debate and concern over the bidding process and the commitment to build parking spaces for the facility. The government has pledged over $2 billion to support the spa’s development.

Stiles contends that the advertising campaign primarily benefits Therme rather than the public. “Therme should be paying for their own campaigns,” she argued, questioning why taxpayers are subsidizing promotional efforts for a private interest.

In a rebuttal, Cho asserted that the true beneficiaries of the redevelopment are the public, highlighting the project’s promise of 50 acres of new public space, which he claims will enhance the green space in downtown Toronto.

As the campaign progresses, all eyes will be on the government’s spending and the public’s reaction to the ambitious plans for Ontario Place. With growing scrutiny and discontent among citizens, the Ford government faces increasing pressure to justify its actions and commitment to public interests in this high-stakes redevelopment project.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more information about the advertising costs and public sentiment unfolds.