Integrity Commissioner Releases Report on Controversial Greenbelt Project
On August 30th, integrity commissioner J. David Wake released his scathing report on the Progressive Conservatives’ controversial Greenbelt project. Last year, the province of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives, led by Doug Ford, announced the decision to remove 7’400 acres from the Greenbelt to build 50’000 homes. Ford has promised to replace the land with nearly 9’400 acres elsewhere, however, the decision reverses prior promises made by Ford to preserve protected areas. The party has justified the decision as necessary for a broader effort to address the housing crisis in Ontario. However, critics claim there are other ways to increase housing. While the report by Wake was originally spurred by a request from NDP Leader Marit Stiles, he also reported receiving hundreds of calls, emails, and social media messages requesting his investigation into the matter. The 166-page report delivered by Wake details hasty and deceiving tactics employed by the provincial government while making the decisions required to remove land from the greenbelt.
The report confirmed one of the most significant findings from the auditor general’s report: Ontario’s housing minister Steve Clark gave complete control to his chief of staff Ryan Amato to choose which land would be removed from the Greenbelt and had no awareness as to how Amato came to his decisions. According to Wake, Clark’s lack of knowledge was a violation of ethics rules about conflict of interest and sharing insider information. Clark himself acknowledged that Amato selected approximately 90% of all land removed from the Greenbelt with absolutely no oversight. Wake himself referred to Amato’s selection process as ‘chaotic’ and found that it favored certain developers.
The report also investigated the supposed ‘rumor mill’ surrounding development on the Greenbelt. The move benefited powerful developers who happen to have multiple ties to Ford and his party, some of whom made opportunistic purchases just weeks before the decision was formally announced. Although no traces were found to prove any direct tip-offs, Wake did find that Amato’s actions made it apparent to certain developers that the government was at least considering the idea.
Premier Doug Ford has defended his government’s conduct but also announced that top officials would begin a review of deals to sell protected lands on the periphery of the GTA. Ryan Amato resigned from his post as chief of staff to the Housing Minister but has claimed that the characterization of his actions was wrong. As of September 4th, Housing Minister Steve Clark has also resigned.
Opposition lawmakers, First Nations chiefs, and environmental advocacy groups have called on the province to reverse its course and return the lands to their protected status.
Next Steps and Taking Accountability
To learn more about the Greenbelt scandal and commissioner Wake’s report, go to NationalPost.com:
“Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser renewed calls for a legislative committee investigation on the Greenbelt moves. ‘Minister Clark’s resignation today is the first step in what needs to happen to get to the bottom of this $8.3 Billion cash-for-your-land scheme,’ Fraser said. ‘What needs to happen next, is the Premier needs to open the books on the Greenbelt land swaps and waive Cabinet Privilege as it relates to this decision.’
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner called Clark’s resignation a ‘step toward accountability,’ but reiterated calls for a public inquiry into the land swaps. ‘The people of Ontario deserve honest answers to how a corrupt process could lead to $8.3 billion in windfall profits for wealthy, Ford-connected insiders,’ Schreiner said.
Ford has admitted to a flawed process in the Greenbelt deal, but has repeatedly refused to return those lands to the protected area. The RCMP is reviewing information to determine whether it should investigate the Greenbelt land swap. Ford has said he is confident nothing criminal took place.”
From Ontario Housing Minister Steve Clark Resigns in Wake of Greenbelt Controversy
- NationalPost
Photo Source: Wix.com
What do you think the province should do to amend their decisions? What part of the report surprised you the most?
Written by S2A Modular & Associates Inc.
September 4th, 2023