Ford’s Greenbelt giveaway on the backs of everyday Ontarians

August 9, 2023

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to the publication of the Auditor General’s special report on changes to the Greenbelt.

“All along, this government’s agenda has been to favour wealthy, elite insiders at the expense of everyday Ontarians. Now, we have a report that shows it – and the evidence is staggering.

That almost all of the total land removed is going to line the pockets of just three developers.

That the owners of that land now stand to make $8.3 billion.

And that, contrary to repeated claims otherwise, the housing minister’s political staff had near-complete control over the entire removal process.

What this demonstrates to me is a total lack of care for the people of Ontario – a willingness to break all the rules to sell off the land that feeds us and protects to wealthy insiders, leaving the rest of us to foot the bill.

While the rich get richer, we lose thousands of acres of prime farmland, wetlands and woodlands.

We lose the chance at an affordable future – where basic necessities like homes and food aren’t out of reach.

In Doug Ford’s Ontario, the rich are getting richer on the backs of everyday Ontarians.

Our basements flood, our food prices skyrocket, and the only homes being built are hours away from our friends, family and work.

But Ontario Greens have a different vision.

We want a province where everyone has a great place to live in an affordable, connected community.

Where we make sustainable decisions that will help us grow now and in the future.

Where the government works for the people it represents, instead of trying to deceive them.

That’s why I was proud to join leaders from all opposition parties in calling on the Auditor General to do this investigation – because Ontarians could clearly see that the Ford government’s story wasn’t adding up.

Now, we know why.”

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