Auditor General Slams Ontario Place Redevelopment for Lack of Transparency and Escalating Costs

Ontario’s plan to redevelop the iconic Ontario Place has come under intense scrutiny following a scathing report from the province’s auditor general. The report, released Tuesday, highlighted significant irregularities in the bidding process, raising questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability. It also revealed a sharp increase in public costs associated with the project, now estimated at $2.2 billion—a $1.8 billion jump since 2019.

The redevelopment plan envisions a private spa by Austrian firm Therme on the west island, a revamped Live Nation music venue, expanded parkland, and the relocation of the Ontario Science Centre. However, the auditor general identified numerous breaches of procurement rules during the bidding process. For example, three bidders were allowed direct access to government officials during a period when communication was officially prohibited.

“Contrary to established guidelines, participants had meetings with staff from the Premier’s and Minister’s offices,” the report stated. This special access led to inconsistencies in how bids were evaluated. One bidder, Triple Five, was even invited to provide additional information to improve its low scoring—a privilege not extended to others.

The redevelopment’s escalating costs are a significant concern. Parking, a contentious issue since the project’s inception, exemplifies this. The cost of providing parking at Ontario Place has surged from $280 million to $400 million, with individual parking spots potentially costing up to $444,000. While several bidders offered to fund parking themselves, the government opted to cover the cost for Therme’s parking garage, further increasing public expenditure.

The revelations have sparked political turmoil. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles has called for Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma’s resignation, accusing the Ford government of favoritism and financial mismanagement. “The seriousness of this report cannot be overstated,” Stiles said. “It’s time for the premier to face consequences for this mismanagement.”

Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones defended Surma, stating, “She’s leading important files and has made progress on them.” However, the absence of Surma at the press conference addressing the report raised eyebrows, with Deputy Premier Jones and Infrastructure Ontario CEO Michael Lindsay fielding questions instead.

The report comes amid ongoing criticism of the Ford government’s land-use policies, including the controversial Greenbelt land swap currently under RCMP investigation. Critics argue that the Ontario Place project reflects a broader pattern of prioritizing private interests over public benefit.

“This government has shown time and again that fairness and public interest take a backseat to backroom deals,” Stiles added, referencing other auditor general findings.

The government is now reassessing its parking strategy for Ontario Place and exploring cost-reduction measures. Meanwhile, questions linger about Therme’s financial commitments. Although its capital investment in public space has reportedly doubled to $700 million since its bid, the lease agreement contains no binding obligations to ensure these investments are made.