More On The Therme Sweetheart Deal

The following video is the NDP's Chris Glover talking about how the deal Doug Ford has struck with Therme Spa is a bad one for taxpayers. Just before watching it, here is a little context for the rent from Therme that Glover talks about:

The amount the provincial government expects Therme to pay it in direct rent payments — estimated to be at least $1.1 billion — over the [95-year] course of its lease will be partially dependent on the business’ success. Its lease’s terms will require Therme to pay the province minimum rent at a rate of 3.5 per cent of the land’s value. Additional “performance rent” payments from Therme are also expected by the province, several years after its facility opens.

Under the lease, Therme’s annual payments to the province will be capped at eight per cent of the land value. 

Despite his folksy charm, at almost every turn it is clear that Mr. Ford is not here for us, the taxpayers.

 

 

Tunnel Vision

H/t Moudakis

Continuing with yesterday's theme, Star readers offer their views of Doug Ford's latest scheme:

The idea of a Highway 401 tunnel is ludicrous. It can’t be built quickly enough. It won’t be big enough. The cost-benefit analysis will show it was a bad idea before it started. From an engineering perspective, how will entries and exits be done? How will it be ventilated? A better solution to congestion is to move commercial vehicles to Highway 407, and spend the money on health care and social services.

Grant Baines, Uxbridge, Ont.

How many billions of dollars would a tunnel cost? How many years would a tunnel take to dig? Is there not a better way to spend the money a tunnel would cost, like housing, hospital staff or education? Would the tunnel even help congestion? What about the people who don’t drive or own a car? Do they want their tax dollars spent on more roads? We need to let Premier Doug Ford know we won’t stand for him wasting our tax dollars.

Barbara Eckert, Etobicoke

I remember the Big Dig, when Boston decided to replace a relatively short section of interstate. The effort took 20 years from planning to completion. The cost ballooned to three times the original estimate, and totalled $8.08 billion ($21 billion with inflation today). Traffic was a disaster for over a decade and, as of my most recent visit this summer, traffic is still a disaster. Meanwhile, the tunnels leak. 

John Gavin, Toronto

Ontario should do what most other modern countries with big cities have done and go to high-speed electric rail. Look at Beijing, Tokyo, Paris and London. It would help the entire province, not just the 50 kilometres across the top of Toronto, and it helps to solve our emissions problem at the same time. 

Hugh Holland, Huntsville, Ont.

All of the above letters employ both reason and judgement. As such, expect their sentiments to be completely ignored by our current provincial government.

UPDATED: He's A Trial For All Of Us

From Frank Kafka's The Trial

Someone must have left some envelopes upon which he doodled, because Doug F. , without having done any thinking, announced another scheme one fine morning: a tunnel under the 401 highway in Toronto.

While it may not be the giant ferris wheel he once envisaged for Toronto's waterfront, it does seem to be of a piece: fill the electorate with fantastic visions that have no chance of realization, while all the other politicians carp at him about such mundane crises as homelessness, tent encampments, and hospital overloads. 

If one were to search very hard, no doubt would could discern the real philosophy underlying this government: better a sweet lie than a bitter truth.

Expect more bread and circuses as we edge closer to the next provincial election.

UPDATE: Brittlestar gives Ford's 'idea' all the respect it deserves:

About Those Expanded Beer Sales

My good friend Dave in Winnipeg was reading my blog the other day about the expensive Doug Ford Follies regarding expanded beer and wine sales in Ontario. The experience of Manitobans in such endeavours proves instructive:

Have been following your blog and always find it informative and entertaining. The latest topic on the issue of allowing alcohol in grocery stores and convenience stores is something that could come back to bite ol'Dougie. In Manitoba there was experimentation in the past with allowing liquor sales in grocery stores. A few select Safeways and Sobeys currently are licensed to engage in limited liquor sales; this began back in the Filmon days. Old Gary also issued licenses to a few political contributors to open private wine stores. 

Our ex-provincial Conservative government under Pallister and subsequently Stephenson toyed with the same idea that Dougie wants to implement. Due to the current climate of mass shoplifting in Winnipeg the impetus for allowing booze sales in more grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations was soon put to bed. 

It was pointed out to the now retired premiers that allowing liquor sales in such places would open them up to the large scale thefts that were plaguing the government liquor stores. To stop the mass thefts, often accompanied by violence, the Conservative government brought in security measures that not everybody agreed with but it eliminated the problem. 

To shop in a government liquor store in Manitoba you must first enter a small lobby at the entrance. The entrance from the street locks behind you and the entrance proper to the store is also closed and locked. When you present photo identification to an employee, seated in a booth protected by plexiglass, you are allowed access to the store. I recall that the liquor board of Ontario began implementing such measures in Northern Ontario last year but pulled it due to complaints. I have not heard anything about continuing liquor store thefts in the area but I'm sure it still goes on. Imaging putting liquor in any and all stores in Ontario; the thieves will have a field day.

Dave, from the keystone province

Of course, expect no wavering on this issue from Doug who, with the zeal typical of populists and demagogues, will brook no criticism, no matter how pointed and accurate. As people of his ilk are fond of saying, there is only one taxpayer; however, as has been reported, that taxpayer will be heavily subsidizing his quest for re-election, likely to the tune of $1 billion.

And that is something everyone should be concerned about.