Fake development notice proposing 88-storey condo posted in Toronto public park
A development notice placed at a midtown public park informing residents that an 88-storey condo is slated for construction on the property has been confirmed to be fraudulent.
The notice was placed at Oriole Park, near Yonge Street and Chaplin Crescent, in the Davisville area.
Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow first raised the issue on social media, calling the incident “bizarre.”
“Someone has created a fake development notice, pretending a condo tower is being proposed in the middle of Oriole Park. It’s not true,” Matlow wrote.
“I’m trying to figure out why someone went through the effort of scaring the community like this.”
Matlow confirmed to CTV News Toronto that the phone number, email address, and city staff name listed on the poster do not exist and that no such person is employed at the City of Toronto.
In addition to the fraudulent development notice, another poster asking residents to "save Oriole Park" was placed on the property.
“Do you want the government to build an 88-storey condo in Oriole Park? Are you tired of children’s playgrounds, tennis courts, green space and fresh air? If the answer is no, then help to save Oriole Park,” the poster reads.
When reached out for comment Friday, the City of Toronto confirmed to CTV News Toronto that the signs were indeed fake.
“Confirming that this development sign is a fake and no such development is planned,” chief communications officer for the city, Brad Ross, said.
“Staff will attend the park, if they haven’t already, and have it removed.”
Matlow says his neighbourhood was upset by the poster.
“People actually were really shaken up. They were worried, they were angry. It wasn't even so much about development, it was the fear of losing their park,” he said.
While Matlow says he has seen fake signage placed before, he hasn’t seen one that looked this authentic.
“Unlike efforts a few years ago, where there were like some satirical signs put up in the city, this was done in a way that was deliberately deceptive,” he said.
“There was no tongue in cheek, so it’s very mysterious as to what the motivation was behind it.”
Ross says he can’t speak to why the sign could have been placed.
“From time to time we see attempts to confuse the public for reasons I don’t understand. You’d need to speak with those responsible to understand their motivation,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.