Jackie Esmonde, Sydney Lang, and Clément Thabet appeared at the Court of Appeal representing a coalition of intervening organizations in a case surrounding the redevelopment of Ontario Place this afternoon. Sydney Lang presented arguments on behalf of our clients.
Ontario Place Protectors (“OPP”) has challenged Ontario’s “Rebuilding Ontario Place Act.” The Act prohibits any environmental or heritage assessment of Ontario’s plans to redevelop the public lands at Ontario Place. It also prevents members of the public from challenging the redevelopment’s impacts on the environment and cultural heritage at Ontario Place in court. The first level of court dismissed OPP’s challenge and the organization appealed to the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
Four community-based organizations (Ontario Place for All, Democracy Watch, Toronto Field Naturalists and the National Trust for Canada) intervened in the appeal. They argued that Ontario holds public lands in trust for the good of the public, and that it is essential to maintain government accountability for the stewardship of the environment and cultural heritage.
We are proud to stand with these organizations at the Court of Appeal as they fight for transparency, accountability, and a future for Ontario Place that benefits everyone.
For further information, see Ontario Place for All’s press release.