Harm Reduction Takes A Step Back as EDM Events are Banned at The Ex

On Friday April 11th, Toronto City Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti introduced a motion to
prevent agreements with Electronic Dance Music promoters who wish to rent the citys publicly
owned buildings on The Exhibition grounds.
The motion passed with a vote of 4-3. Mammoliti was thrilled, Were talking 5600 kids, many
of them taking ecstasy on government lands owned by the taxpayers, I just think its wrong to be
sending that message, he said. I dont see the logic in that, if the private industry wants to have
the venues in a private location then so be it.
However, death from club drugs are rare. According to the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario
between 2002 and 2010 only 17 deaths in Toronto were related to MDMA and ecstasy use. 10 of
the people who died were over the age of 40. Meaning less than 1 youth a year died from ecstasy
or MDMA use.
Furthermore, this motion goes directly against a long standing Establishment of Late Night
Entertainment Event Protocol (including Raves) and Co-ordinated Response to Inquest
Recommendations into the Death of Allen Ho. The protocol was adopted in August of 2000 and
specifically recommends Exhibition Place a s a safe place to hold dance parties.
The Exhibition also created a protocol to ensure safety at dance related events held on the
grounds. A number of harm reduction techniques must be used by event organizers including:
paid duty police officers, private security, turnstiles and ambulance services on site at all times.
However noble, Councillor Mammolitis desire to protect children from the evils of raving may
seem misguided.
Torontos rave community is notably upset by this decision and has started an online petition
urging for its reversal.
Many community members feel that the motion was made due to the political sway of Muzik
Nightclub owner Zlatko Starkovski. On January 14th, Mr. Starkovski wrote a letter to the
chairman of the Exhibition and Councillor Mark Grimes, which stated:
In recent months the Exhibition Place has seen several competing events in both the Better
Living Centre and the Direct Energy Centre. While we recognize the competitive nature of our
business, this has caused Muzik problems in booking the talent for own shows on other nights.
Muzik and the Exhibition Place are a destination venue. Our patrons come here one night a
week specifically for our club, many from outside Toronto. If there is similar content and acts
being hired on another or the same night, at the same location, we have will not be able to
continue our successful programing.
Additionally, Exhibition Place staff have met with Mr. Starkovski and suggested he consider the
possibility of promoting a major EDM concert similar to the ones held on the grounds in
September and December 2013.

Muzik is not affected by this ban and stands to gain significantly from the decision. It has
become increasingly obvious that harm reduction and safety was not the primary motivator in
the decision to ban EDM events from The Exhibition.
When questioned about the possible negative effects of this decision, such as forcing the all ages
scene underground, Mr Starkovski stated, there is no underground scene, [this] means 12, 13,
14, 15 and 16 year old children will be at home safe. He is also quoted as saying, My biggest
concern is that [electronic dance music concerts] are mixing 12-year-old girls with 50-year-old
men.
If you would like to see EDM events continue to be held at the Exhibition, which are safe and
suitable for all ages, there are a number of ways you can help.

sign and share the petition

call and email your councillor

have your parents call and email your councillor

call and email the mayor

tweet about this using the hashtag #boycottmuzik

give muzik a 1 star review on facebook, google and yelp

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