Doug Ford's nephew Michael may be known best for flubbing his speeches and being nothing but a nepo appointment, but the young MPP has some important duties coming up in his role as Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism that people are worried he won't properly handle.

The province has been abuzz about over the government's newly-released business case for controversially relocating the Science Centre from its long-time home in Flemingdon Park to Ontario Place, which the premier now says will save taxpayers $257 million over the next 50 years.

But people have been finding some interesting tidbits in the finer print of the report, like the fact that Michael Ford will need to consent to which parts of the current site will be torn down.

#ONpoli #TOpoli

NEW:

According to the Ontario Science Centre business case, the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism decides whether or not to demolish a heritage building.

MICHAEL FORD will decide whether or not to bulldoze the priceless architectural landmark. pic.twitter.com/XqIZpXSOKk

— TDot Resident (@TDotResident) December 1, 2023

As shared on X Thursday, the document does state that if the province chooses to modify or demolish the current Centre, it "will require Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM) Minister's consent."

It also goes on to say that razing the entire property would cost about $25 million.

The Premier's Office has clarified, though, that the Ontario government is "simply a tenant of the Science Centre," which is owned by the City of Toronto. 

"As such, they are entirely responsible for the decision making surrounding the future of the site," a spokesperson told blogTO. "The Minister's consent only refers to the heritage designation of the building itself."

And, while naming Michael Ford for this task may seem fishy to some given his relation to the premier and the fact that heritage designation is not something one would think is within his Ministerial duties, it actually is, somehow — the Ontario Heritage Trust is indeed listed as an agency of the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

"The Minister has no more direct role than he would have over any other heritage site in the entire province," the Premier's spokesperson confirmed.

I believe that this is called out in the Ontario Heritage Act. I can't tell if anything was recently updated in this Act to give this responsibility to Michael Ford (Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism), or if it has always been this way.https://t.co/N1BtaMifG2

— TDot Resident (@TDotResident) December 1, 2023

Since the older Ford revealed his seemingly out-of-left-field plans to move the institution in the spring, more than 32,000 citizens have signed a petition demanding it remain at its current home, while another 18,400 or so are asking that it be designated as a heritage building.

"The Ontario Science Centre, which opened its doors in 1969, holds a special place in the hearts of many Ontarians. As one of the world's first interactive science museums, it has been instrumental in promoting science education and literacy across the Greater Toronto Area for decades," the latter plea reads.

"Its unique features, such as Canada's only Challenger Learning Centre (built in partnership with NASA), an indoor rainforest, and Toronto's only remaining public planetarium are irreplaceable treasures that we cannot afford to lose."

What can we do to save the #ontariosciencecentre? This is a travesty. It's so obviously a land grab. It's horrific! #FordfailedOntario by wanting to demolish one of the most amazing structures in Ontario. The zoo is also far from downtown,will he squish it into #OntarioPlace too?

— tru'dat (@trudat2020) April 19, 2023

A stunning example of Brutalist architecture designed by Toronto's own Raymond Moriyama, the more than 550,000-square-foot landmark was seeing some 900,000 visitors in its last few years before the pandemic, and 255,347 in 2021-2022.

It will likely be replaced by admittedly much-needed housing if lost, though a second option suggested in the business case would retain some of its more unique architectural elements for other uses and demolish a smaller portion of the site.