Opposition leaders call on Ford government to reopen Science Centre

Premier Doug Ford's opponents are still holding his feet to the fire after his government's controversial move to shut down the Ontario Science Center for good last week. Speaking outside the facility today, some politicians actually tried to physically tear down the barricades that now surround it. Defying the no trespassing signs that now surround the Science Center and PP, Kristen Wong Tam and advocates fighting to save the facility took apart several offences before police stopped them. That fence, tear down that fence. The moment has been described as a snapshot of the outrage in the community at its sudden closure just days ago. NDP Leader Mart Style says the pressure is on the Ford government to reverse the decision. There is massive people power, massive community power out there, right? Science Center open to reopen it to tear down these barricades, but already layoff notices have gone out. 50 food services employees at the Science Center lost their jobs this week. No one should lose a paycheck and no one should lose a job out of this decision. And again, it's a simple choice. Bring down the fences. Today, all of these workers stay employed. The community and students get access to the Science Center. The Ford government says keeping the Science Center open is a public safety concern, pointing to a new engineering report that found the roof is at risk of collapsing under snow this winter. And they say it will take two years and cost $40 million to replace it. But industry experts and engineers have disputed that claim, arguing less than 5% of the roof is impacted and can safely be repaired while keeping the facility open. Ontario's NDP leader says she won't let the premier get away with closing it. This is demolition by neglect from a government that is eroding our public goods. Meanwhile, Ontario's Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie also appearing outside the Science Center this morning. Has promised if she is elected premier, she will appoint a special investigator to conduct a deep dive. Into what she describes as the premier's shady backroom deals, including his sudden decision to shutter the facility. The Auditor General is backed up. FAO is backed up. We need a dedicated special investigator. Let's have transparency. Let's have accountability. And Toronto city councilors also aren't giving up on the Science Center without a fight. A motion has been added to the agenda at City Council. If passed, city staff will be asked to look into what can be done to help keep the attraction open. And council may have a little leverage here. The building sits on city owned land and has been leased to the province for 99 years.