How the New Deal Empowers the Ford Government

Ontario's New Deal: A Promise or a Power Grab?

Premier Doug Ford's administration has masterfully maneuvered its way around obstacles, making controversial moves with seeming impunity. The New Deal, an intergovernmental effort enacted with lightning speed, provided the province with significant leeway, raising concerns among critics.

Ontario Place: A Case Study in Overreach

The New Deal granted the province unprecedented authority over Ontario Place's redevelopment, stripping the City of Toronto of its ability to regulate noise and potentially interfering with the city's zoning powers.

"The public's overwhelming disapproval of the proposed design was disregarded, as the deal mandated the sale of city-owned lands and council approvals for construction," Michel Nayrouz, an environmental science and management student, observes.

Bill 154, which enabled the New Deal, exempted the project from numerous regulations, protecting the government from legal action and setting a dangerous precedent for future developments.

Environmental Concerns Ignored

The New Deal also granted the Ford government exemptions from the Environmental Assessment Act, allowing it to bypass critical environmental reviews for the Ontario Place project.

"These exemptions empower the province to prioritize development over environmental protection," warns Nayrouz.

Public Transportation: A Compromise with Strings Attached

While the New Deal provided Toronto with funding for public transportation, it also centralized decision-making under Metrolinx, a provincial agency.

"Toronto has relinquished its independence to Metrolinx, which now controls all new projects and requires the city to prioritize provincial transportation initiatives," Nayrouz explains.

Conclusion: A Double-Edged Sword

The New Deal has empowered the Ford government with unchecked authority, undermining local autonomy and environmental protections.