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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.