2008 May 8: A Discussion about Sponsorship of Public Spaces

The Toronto Public Space Committee is holding an event on Thursday night to address the issue of sponsorship of public spaces.

From a TPSC email: Last month, Waterfront Toronto (formerly the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation) floated the idea of selling naming rights to new streets, parks, and neighbourhoods to be built along the waterfront.  Two weeks ago, the Toronto Transit Commission requested staff to write a report on the possibility of selling naming rights to subway stations.  City Council, the TTC, and the Toronto Public Library Board routinely make deals for corporate sponsorships, usually without informing the public which companies they’re negotiating with until after a deal has already been signed.

Does corporate sponsorship have a place in the public realm?  What limits should there be?

The Toronto Public Space Committee is kicking off a campaign to address this issue, and we invite you to come to our initial brainstorming meeting if you are at all interested or concerned about the gradual erosion of the public realm.  We will be discussing these trends, and what our reaction, if any, should be.

Thursday, May 8th, 2008, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Metro Hall, room 309

For more information, or to leave your comments if you can’t attend, please contact Jonathan at jonathan@publicspace.ca