Protesters rallying outside City Hall against the proposed corporate infiltration of Toronto’s public services. Photo by Rasha Mansoor
On September 6, TPSI organized a rally against City of Toronto proposals to sell corporate naming rights for public spaces such as parks and subway stations throughout the city. More specifically, the rally protested the Executive Committee’s plans to renew the naming rights of ‘TD Storybook Place’ in Franklin (the turtle) Children’s Garden at Centre Island. As a matter of principle TPSI is against selling out our kids and renaming their playgrounds after corporations.
About 35-40 people came out to Nathan Philips Square to support the rally, which CTV filmed, along with garnering an article in the New Internationalist, an article in the Grid, and the attention of policy makers. TPSI also provided policy makers with information regarding children’s particular vulnerabilities to advertising and sponsorship, and informed policy makers of regulations in other advanced nations around the world designed to protect children. Despite this, on September 21, City Council ignored the evidence, and the concerns of medical professionals, including our own Ontario Public Health Association, as well as best practices from countries around the world, by adopting an action to renew the naming rights to the TD Storybook, contingent upon receipt of a $250,000 donation from The TD Bank over the three-year period 2012-2014. This corporate playground will go along with the Unilever Snail Trail and Saturn Playground.
It is not clear how the funds will benefit the community or what potentially unnecessary ‘enhancements’ they will pay for – it is our understanding that TD Bank and the City will negotiate how the funds are spent now that the deal is approved, giving TD a strong bargaining position.
There can be no excuses for selling out our children. If you think this is as ignorant and wrong as we do, email your local city Councillor now to show your disapproval – it’s never too late to make a difference. Children are under particular attack by aggressive advertisers in this city – in their playgrounds, at school, and even in the library – we need to stop their political enablers now. Each email sent makes a big difference, and makes our job way easier in this ongoing battle to protect our children.
TD Storybook Place Background Document
Ontario Public Health Association Resolution to Ban all Commercial Advertising Targeting Children
‘Corporate Playgrounds’, in the Grid (Sep 7th)
‘Toronto: walking in a corporate wonderland’, in the New Internationalist (Sep 13th)
Photo by Conor Brown
