The Ford government’s decision to shutter the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto’s Don Mills area with no warning Friday is drawing outrage from critics and members of the local community.
The government cited safety concerns after releasing an engineering report on the current structure which opened to the public in 1969. The government used the report to justify closing the Science Centre immediately.
“We were worried this stunt would be pulled by Premier Ford and the Ontario government,” said Jason Ash, co-chair of Save Ontario’s Science Centre, a citizen group campaigning to keep the current site.
The Ford government previously announced its intention to build a new Science Centre on a site at Ontario Place in downtown Toronto.
Community outraged over abrupt closure of Ontario Science Centre – Global News, June 22, 2024
Rally held as community angered by Ontario Science Centre closure
Dozens of community members, advocates and politicians attended a rally in Toronto Sunday to protest the Ford government’s decision to abruptly close the Ontario Science Centre.
The event, organized by advocacy group Save Our Science Centre, took place at West Hills Park in the St. Clair West neighbourhood.
“We are joining all of these folks in saying to the Ford government: reopen the Science Centre,” Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said in an interview at the rally.
“This is not your Science Centre. It is Ontario’s Science Centre. It is the kids’ Science Centre. It belongs to them and they deserve a say.”
Rally held as community angered by Ontario Science Centre closure – CBC News, June 23, 2024
Photo: Canmenwalker, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
