Rather than the current controversy, accusing the Ontario Government of anti-science biases and secret plots, let’s ensure there is a sound, master plan for the centre’s future. Pictured: Ontario Science Centre. Photo Credit: Trip Advisor.
Okay, everybody, let’s take a valium. Given all the challenges Ontario and Toronto are facing, the future of the Ontario Science Centre – while important – is not the top priority for the Ontario Government. Nor should it be.
But right now, the issue is sucking all the oxygen out of the air at Queen’s Park as Opposition critics, Toronto politicians, community activists, media commentators and petition writers clamour for Premier Doug Ford to re-open the deteriorating building and pour your tax dollars into trying to fix it up.
One has to admire the hutzpah of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and members of her council, objecting to the closure when the city itself is full of deteriorating infrastructure.
But one can only imagine the clamour if the Science Centre board of directors – those with the direct fiduciary responsibility for the place and hence those charged with making the call – and Ford and his Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma – who backed them up – had chosen to ignore an engineering report predicting that portions of the roof will fall down on unsuspecting visitors this year, perhaps after a severe rain or snow storm.
How many times have tragedies occurred around the world because governments did not err on the side of caution? How many inquests have been held, where the question is rightly asked, if only? Precisely.
And as many former CEOs have said publicly, the list of deteriorating infrastructure, budget restraints and declining public attendance had prompted closure discussions long before this: for example, a pedestrian bridge had already been blocked off for some time due to its dangerous condition.
The Ontario Science Centre is a tragedy. But not because the board and the government chose to heed engineering advice and take a cautious approach to close this building down.
It is a tragedy because it symbolizes a very common problem in this country – where we build grand structures, or even basic infrastructure – and then do not fund the required maintenance. Think of Calgary’s serious water woes. Think of the TTC’s near tragic accidents and constant delays. Or the Gardiner Expressway, the Toronto public school board’s list of “deferred” maintenance on deteriorating schools. Think of all the once attractive urban spaces around the city, now overgrown with weeds.
The list could go on, but the point is clear. Governments of all political stripes have had responsibility for the Ontario Science Centre for many, many years. And none of them were prepared to take the public money needed to undertake required maintenance, to invest in new, more modern attractions or to allow the board of directors to build a new, sustainable business case.
As one long-serving CEO said, every year he was presiding over the building, he thought it would be the last.
So the issue is not new. What’s the answer?
The Liberal government of Premier Kathleen Wynne had discussed moving it and there was public speculation about rebuilding a more modern, up-to-date structure at a revitalized Ontario Place (speaking of once grand structures now a shadow of their former glory and closed for redevelopment by another previous Liberal government!).
But nothing happened.
Ford, in his trademark “get it done” style, has decided that a new, modern science centre is needed and why not include it as part of the plan to revitalize Ontario Place.
Cue the hysteria.
As a former CEO cautioned however, the future of the centre should not be based on “nostalgic memories” of what was, but instead, be based on a “clear-eyed analysis of the conditions needed for its long-term viability, wherever it may be located.”
Good advice.
So rather than the current controversy, accusing the Ontario Government of anti-science biases and secret plots, let’s ensure there is a sound, master plan for the centre’s future. Rather than demanding more tax dollars be poured into a fading attraction that was not attracting the public like it once did, let’s talk about what kind of technology, exhibits and attractions would make a difference in a new location.
And how much are taxpayers prepared to spend when measured against other priorities? What is the sustainable business case that could make a new, up-to-date structure, as iconic as its predecessor?
Now that would be a debate worth having.
Janet Ecker is a former Ontario Finance Minister, Minister of Education, Minister of Community and Social Services and Government House Leader in the governments of Premier Mike Harris and Premier Ernie Eves. After her political career, she served as the founding CEO of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance, a public-private partnership dedicated to building Toronto region into an international financial centre. She currently sits on a number of corporate and non-profit boards, agencies and advisory committees.
Ms. Ecker received the Order of Canada for her public service contributions and was recognized as one of the “Most Influential People in the World’s Financial Centres” by Financial Centres International. She also received a “Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award” from the Women’s Executive Network and the Richard Ivey School of Business, among other awards. She is also one of the founders of Equal Voice, a national, multi-partisan organization working to elect more women.
