Ontario Place once served as a mental health oasis—Doug Ford’s overnight removal of 850 trees ended that

(Correction: The article originally reported that the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health was part of the advocacy effort. The Canadian Mental Health Association is the organization involved in the advocacy for green space benefits to mental health, but has not advocated on the issue of Ontario Place; CAMH had no part in it. The Pointer regrets the error.)

On October 2, around 7 p.m. kayakers on Lake Ontario, admired the 50 different species of trees that rose like giant green columns over Ontario Place. 

“This ecological diversity is a rarity within the urban fabric and warrants preservation efforts,” a University of Toronto study highlighted.

The following morning, around 5 a.m., some individuals rowing in the area reported to Norm Di Pasquale, co-chair of the grassroots organization Ontario Place for All, that trees were being cut down. 

“It was all done at night time…they did all of this under cover of the darkness, hidden from any sort of backlash,” he remarked as he watched the once majestic trees being fed into a chopper.

For years, Ontario Place has been a free, open and accessible waterfront park used by more than a million people every year since it was opened 53 years ago. 

“We shall utilize the natural setting of the waterfront, modern structural designs, and hope to create the mood of gaiety and openness which helped make so popular the Ontario Pavilion at Expo '67,” Ontario Premier John Robarts had envisioned at the time.

A look at the different heights of trees at Ontario Place.

(University of Toronto)

Its towering trees played a vital role in maintaining the area's tranquil atmosphere.

“2.9 million Torontonians came to Ontario Place and it was a place they could go for their mental health and wellness,” he remarked, likening the green space to Algonquin forest in the heart of Toronto, emphasizing its uniqueness as a place that celebrated Ontario and served as a communal backyard or cottage for all residents.

“You didn’t have to pay to go in; you could simply enjoy the public space alone or with some company,” he added. 

Tree canopy width at Ontario Place and surrounding areas.

(University of Toronto)

As he talked, the scent of pine lingered in the air, mixed with the motorized sound of limbs and branches being turned into wood chips by a chopper. Birds flew overhead, where their homes had suddenly been destroyed, while a few protesters chanted, “SAVE LIVE TREES, STOP THE SPA!”

Natasha Lemire-Blair who turned up in support of Ontario Place for All said she witnessed a “beautiful fox” flee as the trees were being chopped in front of her eyes with a “really heavy heart.”

“I wondered what that fox was experiencing as its habitat is being destroyed and where it’s going to sleep tonight and thinking about all the other species that are now at risk now that all the trees have come down,” she reflected.

Protestors outside Ontario Place were devastated to witness the lush forest on the island being destroyed.

(Anushka Yadav/The Pointer)

The sight of people, animals, and birds mourning was a grim reminder of what the area had represented for so long. 

“I feel helpless,” Anne Low, a Torontonian, told The Pointer as she banged a plate with a spoon alongside the protesters gathered at the waterfront across from Ontario Place.

For residents of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area like Low, who has visited Michael Hough Beach for the past eight years to swim and relax in the shade of trees while listening to the birds sing, Ontario Place has become a home away from home—a cherished spot where she can recharge and find her “dose of sanity and energy.”

A Canadian government study titled Climate Change, Health, and Green Space Co-Benefits reveals that access to green spaces is linked to reductions in chronic conditions such as anxiety, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. These areas also enhance environmental health by improving air quality, providing shade, and reducing flooding. Furthermore, green spaces encourage physical activity, social connections, and stress relief, addressing both the symptoms and risk factors of chronic diseases intensified by climate change, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Several physical and mental health professionals in Canada are now recommending nature therapy. One such initiative is Parks Prescription (PaRx) by the British Columbia Parks Foundation and championed by Dr. Melissa Lem. Under the program, more than 15,000 Canadian healthcare providers are writing formal prescriptions for their patients to spend more time outdoors for physical and mental health.

"Spending time outdoors is particularly crucial for those in urban areas, where tree cover and accessible green spaces are limited. Research shows that 30 percent tree canopy is linked to a 31 percent reduction in psychological distress, a 13 percent decrease in poor sleep, and a 25 percent reduction in feelings of loneliness," Laura Hergott, PaRx Coordinator, told The Pointer.

Meanwhile, more locally, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) started an initiative called Mood Walks in collaboration with Hike Ontario and Conservation Ontario to promote green exercise in Mississauga and Toronto, for enhanced physical and mental health.

The mental health benefits include:

• Reduced stress: Cortisol levels and heart rates drop significantly after just 15 minutes of sitting in a forest. 
• Improved focus and reduced rumination: Walking in green spaces for 90 minutes can reduce repetitive negative thoughts. A study found that participants who walked through natural environments reported lower levels of rumination and showed decreased activity in brain areas linked to mental illness, compared to those walking in urban settings.
• Enhanced mood and happiness: Nature boosts mood, making people feel happier. A 2010 Ipsos Reid study found that 9 in 10 Canadians reported feeling happier when connected to nature.
• Relief from depression: Evidence suggests that nature exposure can alleviate symptoms of depression. 

Spending time in nature also lowers the risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It also decreases incidences of respiratory diseases.

“95 percent of participants felt an improvement in their mood after the walk,” a CMHA spokesperson told The Pointer. “We found that the three most prominent things that participants enjoyed about Mood Walks were connecting with nature, being social, and learning new skills.”

“Participants reported feeling nearly 50 percent more energetic after the walks (48 percent). Additionally, stress levels decreased by 64 percent, feelings of gloominess dropped by 77 percent, and grouchiness reduced by 84 percent,” a 2023 Mood Walks report highlighted.

By stripping away the public green space from Ontario Place, the PC government under Premier Doug Ford is overlooking the broader implications to the community, which extend far beyond just the loss of trees and the environmental impact.

“To me, this is not just the loss to the city but a personal loss as well because I don’t know where to go now…I don’t have a cottage, I don’t have people who can take me to a cottage up north. I don’t drive. I’m really an urbanite,” Low lamented. “It really is a slaughter day.”

“The only thing I could do was to turn up here and hit this thing in frustration,” she said while banging the plate. “I don't know what the future holds for the city and for people like me who have nowhere else to go. The parks are crowded and this is now gone. So tell me what shall I do now?”

In 2014, under Premier Kathleen Wynne, the Ontario government’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport had declared Ontario Place a "cultural heritage landscape of provincial significance."

However, in 2021, the Ford government announced plans to bulldoze nearly half of this culturally significant area, effectively handing it over to the Austrian resort developer Therme for the construction of a megaspa that will cost taxpayers in the province $2.125 billion, as claimed by Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie on October 16th. Thereby, not only disregarding the government’s own previous commitments but also overlooking the fact that the park is home to hundreds of mature trees, which provide essential safety, food, and habitat for various animals and birds, serving as a crucial refuge and diverse ecosystem.

“The 850 trees they’ve been cutting down today were master-planned and planted by renowned landscape architect Michael Hough. He designed microclimates and lagoons that transported visitors to different parts of Ontario while remaining in downtown Toronto,” Di Pasquale explained.

The expansive canopies and towering heights are qualities that can only be achieved with the passing of time. This was Michael Hough's vision for the area: that, as time went on, the landscape would evolve and flourish, becoming more welcoming for public use.

People enjoying Lakeshore beach, West Island, Ontario Place in August, 1976.

(University of Toronto, City of Toronto Archives)

Toronto also serves as a critical migratory stopover for many birds, with the north shore of Lake Ontario being a vital waypoint for many species during their spring and fall journeys. In summer, hundreds of swallows soar around the Cinesphere and marina. Despite the known destruction of Barn Swallow nests during construction, compensation nesting structures were erected in Trillium Park over two years ago.

Recognizing the cultural and natural significance of the site, Ontario Place for All filed a legal challenge earlier this year, seeking a judicial review and a full environmental assessment to halt the Ford government’s redevelopment plan for Ontario Place.

However, in its June ruling, the court determined that the challenge lacked merit, citing a law introduced by the Ford government last year that exempts Ontario Place from environmental studies.

Late in 2023, the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act conferred special authority to the provincial minister overseeing the Ontario Place project, allowing them to bypass essential environmental assessments.

This legislation was part of a broader agreement between the Ontario government and the City of Toronto to address the City's significant budget deficit. Under this deal, Toronto received $1.2 billion over three years for vital projects, including transit and homelessness initiatives, while the province took over responsibility for the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway.

In exchange, Toronto acknowledged Queen's Park's control over Ontario Place, enabling the Ford government to advance its vision for the site. Notably, the legislation empowered Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma to issue Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs), allowing the Province to bypass local planning processes and expedite projects deemed provincial priorities.

While this move has faced significant criticism, it is becoming increasingly clear that Doug Ford’s policies are impacting green spaces across the province whether it is through the overnight removal of trees at Ontario Place or the approval of environmentally detrimental projects like Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, impacting the Greenbelt. 

Previous investigations by The Pointer have shown the long list of destruction, including the threat to endangered species; the pollution it would pour into local waterways; and how it would disrupt the natural movement of wildlife through these urban watersheds if Highway 413 is built. 

Despite these setbacks, supporters of Ontario Place for All remain steadfast in their commitment to the fight for preservation and sustainable development.

On October 3, as media attention focused on the impending release of details regarding the lease agreement with Therme, the Ford government ordered the trees to be cut down throughout the day.

“We’ve been down here protesting for some time, and the fact that the trees were still standing felt like our last shred of hope. Seeing them come down brings a sense of finality, as if the development will go ahead,” Lemire-Blair remarked.

“But at the same time, I’m hopeful that there might be a way to stop this and reclaim it as public land, finding a purpose for it other than a large spa,” she said, rejoining the group of protesters with a sign that read, ‘This is our park, give it back!’

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