By now, it’s clear that Doug Ford’s government is determined to push forward with its controversial redevelopment of Ontario Place, despite widespread public opposition. But now, in a new twist of bureaucratic chaos, the Ford government is scrambling to figure out where to put its promised parking garage for the private Therme spa. And in typical Ford fashion, it’s shaping up to be a colossal, expensive mess.
Originally, the province planned to build an underground parking garage right beside Ontario Place. That was already a bad idea—an unnecessary, costly project that would further erode public access to the waterfront. But thanks to pressure from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and a broader agreement between the city and province, the government is now “considering” moving the parking structure north to Exhibition Place.
Except, it’s not really “considering” it—it’s already moving forward. Internal government emails suggest that, despite the official line that nothing has been finalized, the province is committed to relocating the parking lot. The question now is where exactly it will go, and whether it will be above or below ground. Either way, it’s bad news for Toronto.
The Billion-Dollar Question: Why Are We Even Doing This?
Let’s take a step back: Why is the province even building this garage in the first place? Because as part of its shady backroom deal with Therme, the Ford government has promised to provide a massive 1,800-space parking lot for spa visitors, plus extra spaces for Live Nation and the Ontario Science Centre.
The estimated cost? A jaw-dropping $307 million. That’s right—over $300 million for a parking lot, largely to benefit a private European spa company. And if the parking structure isn’t completed by 2028, the province faces penalties of $5 per space, per day. That could quickly add up to millions in wasted taxpayer dollars.
It’s a perfect example of how Ford’s government prioritizes corporate interests over public good. Instead of investing in improved public transit access to Ontario Place, the government is bending over backward to build a parking garage that most Torontonians don’t even want.
Exhibition Place: The Wrong Place for the Wrong Project
Now that Ford has been pushed away from his initial waterfront parking dream, his government is eyeing Exhibition Place as an alternative. But that’s causing even more problems.
First, the timing is a disaster. Toronto is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Exhibition Place will be a key site for the event. Any major construction project there would be impossible until late 2026, meaning the timeline to build this massive parking garage is ridiculously tight. If the province misses the deadline, those financial penalties start kicking in.
Then there’s the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), which relies on Exhibition Place every summer for its massive fair. CNE officials have already voiced serious concerns about the impact of a permanent parking structure on their ability to run the event. Former CEO Darrell Brown even threatened a public campaign against it, though his successor is taking a more cautious approach.
Let’s be clear: A massive above-ground parking lot at Exhibition Place would be an eyesore and a disaster for the CNE. But an underground lot would cost even more and take even longer to build. Either way, it’s a terrible idea.
Ford’s Misplaced Priorities
What’s most infuriating about this whole debacle is how unnecessary it is. Instead of forcing a massive parking structure into Exhibition Place, why not focus on improving public transit connections to Ontario Place? The province could invest in expanded streetcar service, better cycling infrastructure, or even shuttle buses. But no—Ford would rather spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to make it easier for people to drive to a private spa.
At every step, this project has been about serving corporate interests over the public good. The Ford government ignored widespread opposition to its Ontario Place redevelopment plan, dismissed concerns from Toronto’s leadership, and is now steamrolling ahead with a costly and disruptive parking plan that benefits a private company more than it benefits the people of Ontario.
Toronto deserves better than this. Ontario Place should be a space for everyone, not a corporate playground with a taxpayer-funded parking garage. Ford’s government is making a mess of this redevelopment, and it’s time for people to push back before it’s too late.
