What’s the real reason for Ford’s Greenbelt giveaway?

June 30, 2023

GUELPH — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to reports that Doug Ford’s top aide and a PC MPP went on a trip to Las Vegas with a developer whose companies have since benefitted from the government’s Greenbelt land grabs.

“Ontarians should be able to trust their elected officials to make decisions in the public interest. Especially when it comes to a precious public asset like our province’s Greenbelt.

Yet the Premier’s Greenbelt land grabs have been plagued by report after report showing that they have nothing to do with building homes and everything to do with lining the pockets of well-connected, wealthy speculators.

Now, we have yet another piece of the puzzle – this one showing that the Premier’s staff and MPPs have been rubbing shoulders with the developers who stand to benefit from his Greenbelt land grabs.

Although this behaviour has become commonplace for the Ford government, that doesn’t mean we should accept it.

These backroom deals erode trust and confidence in the government – and they highlight the real reason for Ford’s Greenbelt sell-off.

We do not need Greenbelt land for housing. We need homes that people can afford, in connected communities built for people, not speculators.

Ontario Greens will continue to work across party lines to push back against Doug Ford’s Greenbelt destruction and call for the repeal of Bill 23.”

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