Controversy Surrounds Plans to Remove Japanese Canadian Temple Bell at Ontario Place
The redevelopment of Ontario Place, spearheaded by Doug Ford, has once again sparked controversy, this time for allegedly disrespecting a recently departed Canadian architectural legend. The Toronto branch of the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) announced on Instagram that the dismantling of the Japanese Canadian Centennial Bell at Ontario Place will begin on Monday, September 25th.
The news has prompted the Toronto NAJC to urge the public to visit the bell, ring it, and capture their moments with signs and selfies to raise awareness. They have suggested hashtags like #savemoriyamaslegacy, #preservetheoriginalJCCC, #savetheontariosciencecentre, and #japanesecanadiancentennialtemplebell. The goal is to showcase public support for keeping the bell in its original location.
The NAJC mentions that while their first choice was to leave the bell in its current spot, they are now satisfied with the relocation plan, even though it stands in the way of the proposed Therme Spa. However, they point out that it will be at least five years before the Temple Bell will once again resonate through Ontario Place.
The temple bell was originally installed in 1977 as a gift from Japanese Canadians in Ontario to commemorate the centennial of Japanese settlement in Canada. After 46 years, its future hangs in the balance due to the ongoing redevelopment of Ontario Place.
The provincial government had previously announced plans to safely relocate the bell to a new location on the site following the redevelopment. However, news of its impending disassembly comes less than three weeks after the passing of the bell’s designer, the renowned Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama. The timing of the bell’s removal has only added to the controversies surrounding the Ontario Place redevelopment.
Critics argue that Moriyama’s work at Ontario Place holds significant cultural significance and call the government’s plan a deeply shameful move. They believe the demolition reflects a heartless approach by the Ford government, especially considering Moriyama’s recent passing.
This latest development adds to the growing list of contentious aspects surrounding the Ontario Place plan. Other hot-button issues include the use of public land for the controversial Therme megaspa, the relocation of the Ontario Science Centre, the mass felling of trees, and the proposed public beach next to a sewer outflow, which many find unappealing.
As the dismantling of the Japanese Canadian Temple Bell commences, the future of the bell remains uncertain. Its removal marks another chapter in the ongoing controversy surrounding Ontario Place’s redevelopment.
