Ontario integrity commissioner, auditor general to investigate Ford government’s Greenbelt plans

Two investigations are being launched into the Ontario government's plan to build homes on Greenbelt land. Richard Southern with which one of Premier Ford's cabinet minister is coming under the microscope.

Ontario’s integrity commissioner and auditor general announced Wednesday they are both launching separate investigations into the Ford government’s plans to open protected Greenbelt lands for housing development.

Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake will be looking into whether Housing Minister Steve Clark violated conflict of interest and insider information rules.

Essentially, the commissioner will probe whether Clark tipped off developers ahead of revealing plans late last year that 7,400 acres of land would be removed from the Greenbelt and converted into housing developments.

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The integrity commissioner filed a report with the Speaker on Wednesday, in response to a complaint filed by Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner on Nov. 28, 2022, under section 30 of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994.

“Mr. Schreiner requested an opinion on whether Premier Ford and Minister Clark contravened sections 2 (Conflict of interest) and 3 (Insider information) of the Act, as well as Ontario parliamentary convention with respect to the recent proposal and legislation to open parts of the Greenbelt for housing development,” said the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario.

“Commissioner Wake determined that there were insufficient grounds for him to conduct an inquiry.”

The government is also proposing to add 9,400 acres to different areas, making the overall footprint of the Greenbelt 2,000 acres larger.

At issue is that some developers bought acres of existing Greenbelt land in September, weeks before the government announced its plan to open that property for development.

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“The Minister welcomes the integrity commissioner’s dismissal of the complaint lodged by the Green party leader, in particular, the decisive finding that there is no evidence that either the Premier or the Minister advanced their private interest through the recent changes to the Greenbelt. The Minister also looks forward to being cleared of any wrongdoing at the conclusion of the investigation,” a spokesperson for Clark’s office said in an emailed statement to CityNews.

If the integrity commissioner does find that Clark breached the Members’ Integrity Act he may not face a penalty but he could be reprimanded, or his right to vote and sit in the legislature could be suspended for a particular time, or his seat could be revoked. However the legislature would vote on this and the Ford government does have a majority.


Related: Ford government could have sold rights to develop greenbelt for millions, experts say


“These land deals don’t pass the smell test, they need to be investigated because the Premier is not being open, transparent and honest with the people of Ontario about why he broke his promise not to open the Greenbelt for development,” Schreiner said at Queen’s Park.

As well, on Dec. 8, 2022, interim NDP leader Marit Stiles submitted an affidavit, requesting an opinion on whether Housing Minister Steve Clark contravened sections 2 and 3 of the Act “with respect to the decision to allow development on lands in the Greenbelt and Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve.”

“Following an assessment of the information provided in this request, the Commissioner has decided to commence an inquiry under section 31 of the Act.”

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Last week, the province’s three opposition leaders jointly signed a letter asking Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk to conduct a value-for-money audit and an environmental impact assessment.

Stiles told CityNews on Wednesday that the auditor general will pursue an audit into the opening up of Greenbelt lands.

“The whole point of this is to shine a light, I think in some of the dark corners, to see whether or not anything has actually been conducted improperly,” Stiles said at a press conference Wednesday.

“These are rich developers, these are donors to the (Progressive) Conservative Party and so we want to make sure that they weren’t given any kind of special heads-up or that they weren’t given any special treatment here. Obviously, the result of the government’s change of heart … is going to benefit and make a lot of money for very few people.”

CityNews reported on Jan. 6 that the OPP was looking at requests to investigate the Ford government’s reallocation of Greenbelt land, but had yet to decide whether or not to launch an investigation.

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“No one in the Premier’s office or any member of the government has been contacted, and no documents have been requested by OPP on this matter,” a spokesperson for Premier Doug Ford said in a statement to CityNews.

The Ford government has previously denied any wrongdoing on this issue and says the move to allow development is necessary to reach its goal of building 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years.


With files from The Canadian Press