Former city councillor and ex-MP Adam Vaughan, who has been one of the most vocal critics of Doug Ford’s plans for Toronto’s waterfront, is now working for Therme Canada, the company behind a luxury spa project at Ontario Place.
In an interview with , Vaughan shared that he has joined Therme as a senior adviser. The Austrian company has secured a 95-year lease to create a destination spa and indoor water park on the west island of Ontario Place, which is owned by the province along the city’s lakeshore.
Vaughan describes his role with Therme as “speaking to the public about what an incredible project this is” and praised Ontario’s premier for his overall vision.
“I’d be the first person to criticize Doug Ford if I thought he was doing a bad thing in Toronto,” Vaughan told .
“This is a good project and I’m totally wholeheartedly in support of it. When new facts, new ideas, and more importantly, great ideas appear on the waterfront, I’ll be the first to champion them every single time.”
Back in 2019, when he was still serving as Liberal MP for Trinity-Spadina, Vaughan spoke out in the House of Commons against Ford’s proposals for Ontario Place. He claimed that the provincial government had “put a for sale sign on the site.”
Vaughan also mentioned that Ford’s Progressive Conservatives were “talking about a mall or worse – a casino on the waterfront.”
“What a waste. What a terrible deficit of imagination. The people of Ontario, the folks of our city, the Toronto Liberal caucus want to keep Ontario Place a public place.”
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Demolition of the west island of Ontario Place is pictured in December 2024. This is where the Therme Canada spa and indoor water park is to be built. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)
When reminded Vaughan about his previous comments during their interview, he responded: “They abandoned the idea of a casino. They’re not building a mall. What they’re building is a park.”
“It’s a blend of paid attractions, ours being one of them, but it’s also an amazing set of new green spaces with restored habitat, and beaches that you don’t need hiking boots to get to,” he said.
Last December, Ontario’s auditor general criticized how the provincial government managed redevelopment at Ontario Place-a project that’s ballooned into costing $2.2 billion from taxpayer money. The auditor stated that tenant selection wasn’t transparent or fair.
The auditor’s report found that Therme Group-the international parent company-didn’t actually own or operate five out of six spas listed in its bid submission made to Infrastructure Ontario.
This raised concerns again in April due to coverage from The New York Times questioning whether Therme exaggerated its qualifications during their pitch-like whether they had $100 million in equity required by province standards.
“The reason our bid won was because we met all criteria,” said Vaughan. “We have three major investors who are part of our consortium,” he continued.”That’s part of our financial structure presented to government officials.”
He addedthattheconsultations addressed issues suchas creatingaccessiblepathways leading down tothewaterfront , establishingpublicbeachesfor swimming, andclearing contaminated soilon-site. “Allofthosegoodthingsare happeningandthey’re intendedforpublicbenefitandwillbe free ,”Vaughanstated.![]()
This image shows Thermecanada ‘s visionofthewestheadlandat Ontario Placeonceitsdevelopmenthasbeencompleted.(Thermecanada)
Accordingtoabusinesscasereleasedbytheprovince , Thermeinvolvesinvesting$500millionintoitsfacilityalongwithanother$200 millionforthesurrounding6 hectaresofpublicspacearoundit.
Whilethatbusinesscaseclaimedthat Thermewould make nearly $2 billioninleaseandmaintenancepayments over95years , theauditornotedthatthis figuredoesn’t factor inflationin mind , estimatingthenetproceedsforprovinceto sitat$153millionintoday’sterms.
“Whenyoulookatthepark, andthenewbeach, intotality, Ithinkit’s somethingwe shouldsupportin Toronto ,”said Vaughan.
Regardinghis strongbackingforprojectassociatedwith Ford-whohasbeenoneofhismostintensepoliticalrivals-Vaughansaid he’s never hesitatedto disagreewithhim before.”Butwhenthe’sright , he’s right.”
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Critics react to allegations that Therme misrepresented itself to get Ontario Place deal
The plan by Ontario’s government for building this luxury spa at former site of Ontario Place has come under scrutiny again after accusations surfaced claiming Therme misrepresented details to win their 95-year deal. CBC’s Shawn Jeffords has more on this story.“The reason our bid won was because we met all criteria,” said Vaughan. “We have three major investors who are part of our consortium,” he continued.”That’s part of our financial structure presented to government officials.”
‘We’re listening and so is province’
The auditor also pointed out failures regarding lack public consultations concerning overall plans for Ohio Place until after tenants were already selected. {{src}} However, , during his chat with , Vaughansaid there have been plentyof public consultations occurring. ,He asserted : “We’re listeningandtheprovinceislistening.”He addedthattheconsultations addressed issues suchas creatingaccessiblepathways leading down tothewaterfront , establishingpublicbeachesfor swimming, andclearing contaminated soilon-site. “Allofthosegoodthingsare happeningandthey’re intendedforpublicbenefitandwillbe free ,”Vaughanstated.
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