Ontario Auditor General Report Criticizes $2.2B Ontario Place Redevelopment Process

The report highlights irregularities in the redevelopment bidding process, rising taxpayer costs, and shortcomings in the province's opioid strategy.

The cost of redeveloping Ontario Place has surged to $2.2 billion, nearly $1.8 billion more than initial estimates, according to the Auditor General's report.
The bidding process for the redevelopment was found to lack fairness, transparency, and accountability, with rules being bypassed and undisclosed selection criteria used.
The report criticizes the Ford government for signing a 95-year lease with Therme Group, a private Austrian company, to develop a spa and waterpark on the site.
The audit also assesses the province's opioid strategy, finding that the closure of supervised drug consumption sites was implemented without proper planning or public consultation, risking increased overdose deaths.
The report reveals a record $103.5 million spent on government advertising, with some campaigns criticized as promoting the ruling party rather than public interest.