NDP files complaint to integrity commissioner over Ontario Place development

The Ontario NDP has filed a complaint with the province’s Integrity Commissioner over the process that led to an Austrian company being contracted to build a massive waterfront spa at Ontario Place, alleging the process was rife with special treatment.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles said in an interview she has many questions about how the call for development of the attraction evolved to include a 2500-space parking lot paid for by taxpayers, as well as what role repeated contacts of certain lobbyists played in the final terms of the 95-year lease.

“We’re deeply concerned about what seems to be a pattern of preferential treatment,” Stiles said.

“I think there’s enough evidence now that we’ve seen the lease that we obtained and some other additional information through freedom of information to make the case that there is a reason for the integrity commissioner to dig a little deeper,” she said.

On the same day earlier this month, some 850 trees were cut down on the property, and the provincial government released its lease with spa company Therme, which came after a lengthy freedom of information battle involving multiple organizations, including CTV News.