Ontario Greens stand with First Nations fighting Ford’s Greenbelt giveaway

August 29, 2023

GUELPH — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph, Mike Schreiner, released the following statement in response to a demand from the Chiefs of Ontario for the Ford government to return land removed from the Greenbelt.

“Ontario Greens wholeheartedly support the call from the Chiefs of Ontario for the Ford government to return all removed lands to the Greenbelt.

The Chiefs of Ontario have made it clear that the removal of those lands did not respect government obligations to First Nations, and violates the Williams Treaties that were settled in 2018.

The Ford government’s abrupt decision to remove 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt was made without consultation with the Chiefs of Ontario and should be immediately reversed.

Ontario Greens continue to call for the following measures to repair the harms inflicted by Ford’s $8.3 billion Greenbelt giveaway:

• A full, independent public inquiry;
• The passing of legislation permanently restoring the Greenbelt in its entirety and bringing back conservation easements on DRAP lands;
• The resignation of housing minister Steve Clark; and
• The implementation of real solutions to the housing crisis that put people before speculators.”

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