The provincial Auditor’s report was very damning yet again. Particularly on the development of Ontario Place as “not transparent or fair.” The report noted keeping the Science Center where it is and making repairs was far less expensive Than moving and building a new one.
The Auditor General (AG)’s report comments about the Science Centre include that it was done: “without proper planning.” It could also have included: “eliminated public consultation.”
The CEO of Infrastructure Ontario jumped to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s defense.
“The government’s vision would have the best benefits to taxpayers,” he said.
The AG’s report shows that claim is complete bunk. When Ford announced a multi-billion dollar, 50 kilometer underground tunnel for Hwy 401, he was roundly criticized for it. The Board of Trade quickly jumped to Ford’s defense that time, calling it “bold leadership” because its members would profit handsomely. Showing again Ford’s cozy relationship with big business.
Since first being elected in 2018, Ford has repeatedly shown he lets nothing stand in his quest to benefit private corporations. Certainly not democratic principles or norms.
Ford has repeatedly shown his disdain for democracy in the same alarming pattern as the former Mike Harris government.
Democracy is a big issue. At every turn, Ford has eliminated public hearings and any kind of public input. Ford has implemented Ministerial Zoning Orders 114 times overriding local democracy. Ford’s creation of “strong mayor powers” is a prime example of subverting democracy, where mayors now have the power to override decisions by democratically elected councilors.
Ford replaced the Ontario Municipal Board with the Ontario Land Tribunal Where a lone provincial appointee has the power to decide on appeals overriding locally elected officials again.
When he was premier, Mike Harris repeatedly subverted Democracy to change all our non-profit public power systems into for -profit corporations by eliminating referendum voting rights anytime a public asset was to be changed or sold.
It seems that conservative government’s normal operating procedure is to bypass and eliminate democracy to the benefit of the private sector. They have done this a few ways. During an election they never tell the people and never get a mandate to do things like privatizing public assets and services.
Conservatives love claiming they are “cutting red tape” making it sound good but eliminating laws and regulations requires public input and approval. Regulations that were put there to protect people and the environment but conservatives see it as just getting in the way of profit making. The prime example now is Ford’s Building Highways Faster Act getting rid of environmental assessments. This bill is another example of how whenever they pass new legislation, they give themselves and their ministers more power to rule by decree with no transparency and no public input whatsoever.
Mike Harris did this repeatedly with his legislation particularly with his three bills in 1998 on hydro deregulation, and now Ford has repeatedly done this. The prime example being Ford’s Bill 165 Keeping Energy Costs Down Act giving themselves more power to rule by decree and the removal of “procedural fairness” entirely.
Another example is Bill 218 Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act which shielded private owners of long-term care facilities from being sued for negligence where so many died during the pandemic from neglect. Now Ford has shielded himself from being sued for removing bike lanes where people will likely be injured or killed with Bill 212. Ford has closed safe injection sites likely causing more deaths.
The most serious threat to the public’s health and safety is Ford’s cancellation of the most effective low-cost way of detecting disease risk to the public, wastewater testing. Ford saved a few bucks, while spending over $100 million on advertising telling us what a great job he is doing. Ford has campaigned on two slogans “for the people” and “getting it done.” Ford has gone to great effort and money, clearly showing he’s “getting It done” for wealthy people. If only Ford put this much effort and money into solving the healthcare, housing, education and affordability crisis.
The big questions now are,: will $200 persuade you to ignore the dangers to you and your family? Will you ignore the damage to our environment and trampling of your democratic rights caused by Ford?
The price we’ll pay for voting for Ford is far too high.
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