Calls for public inquiry mount as Toronto Star’s editorial board endorses Mike Schreiner’s request regarding Greenbelt giveaway

October 2, 2023

QUEEN'S PARK — All across the province, calls for a public inquiry into Doug Ford’s Greenbelt giveaway are mounting.

Today, the Toronto Star’s editorial board endorsed Ontario Greens leader Mike Schreiner’s call for a public inquiry into Doug Ford’s $8.3 billion scandal.

“Schreiner is right to call for a public inquiry into the affair,” writes the editorial board. “Damning reports by the province’s integrity commissioner and auditor general have laid bare the serious flaws in the Greenbelt scheme.

“Ontarians are still owed greater transparency on how this corrupted scheme came to pass.”

Earlier this week, Schreiner wrote to Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake requesting he exercise the powers afforded to him under the Members’ Integrity Act to trigger a public inquiry.

“It’s clear that this trail of Greenbelt destruction leads to the Premier and his cabinet,” said Schreiner. “It doesn’t matter how many times Ford half-heartedly apologizes – the people of this province put their trust in him, and he chose deals for Ford-connected developers over everyday Ontarians.”

“A public inquiry is not just about pointing fingers or laying blame. It’s about looking forward. About restoring trust and faith in our public institutions. About learning from the mistakes to ensure that something like this can never happen again.”

-30-