27 votes

Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives ‘favoured certain developers’ in controversial Greenbelt plan, auditor general finds in scathing report

Posted by TheJorro
Tags: housing, canada.on, politics, corruption, doug ford, reports, author.rob ferguson, paywall
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/auditor-general-bonnie-lysyk-delivers-greenbelt-land-swap-report-today/article_550f5523-3b2d-5e4d-abdc-1220a907ac7b.html

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Authors
Rob Ferguson Queen's Park Bureau, Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau Chief
Published
Aug 9 2023
Word count
65 words

8 comments

  1. [8]
    TheJorro
    Link
    Some news out of Canada's most populous province as the deeply unpopular and long-scandalized Greenbelt plan had its very obvious stench of corruption proven by the Province's Auditor General. The...

    Some news out of Canada's most populous province as the deeply unpopular and long-scandalized Greenbelt plan had its very obvious stench of corruption proven by the Province's Auditor General. The situation is exploding locally.

    More articles:

    The Greenbelt report proves it: The Ford government is corrupt

    Investigation into housing minister's chief of staff after scathing Greenbelt report being considered

    People in Ontario call for Doug Ford to resign after Greenbelt development scandal

    Opposition calls on Ontario housing minister to resign after damning Greenbelt report

    Doug Ford’s Greenbelt scheme betrayed the public — and he should pay dearly for that

    Hamilton mayor says local Greenbelt development ‘not necessary,’ asks Ontario to halt plan

    A damning Greenbelt report exposes Ford government favouritism

    Internet baffled by Doug Ford's Jiffy Lube comments during Greenbelt press conference

    More housing is no explanation for Ford’s attack on the Greenbelt

    ‘Incredibly damning’: Reaction to Ontario auditor general’s Greenbelt report

    8 votes
    1. [5]
      madbro
      Link Parent
      And yet there will be no consequences for this government since the electorate doesn't care enough

      The situation is exploding locally.

      And yet there will be no consequences for this government since the electorate doesn't care enough

      6 votes
      1. [3]
        countchocula
        Link Parent
        I dislike this sentiment so much. Its true ontarians are pushovers but surely someone, a political opponent at least, must be pushing hard on this and all ontarians need to do is not be spineless...

        I dislike this sentiment so much. Its true ontarians are pushovers but surely someone, a political opponent at least, must be pushing hard on this and all ontarians need to do is not be spineless and keep talking about it.
        I moved across the country years ago but am looking to go back and its so frustrating to see that ontario is leading the canadian charge in apathy.

        8 votes
        1. [2]
          Delgalar
          Link Parent
          All the opposition are calling for resignations and such, but I doubt anything will come with it.This is just more of the same profiteering corruption playbook from the conservatives, like how...

          All the opposition are calling for resignations and such, but I doubt anything will come with it.This is just more of the same profiteering corruption playbook from the conservatives, like how Mike Harris privatized long term care centers and 'ended up' as chair on the board of one of the largest private companies that now run these homes.

          The entrenchment runs deep, this govt won an even stronger majority at the last election than they had in the prior, even though they won somewhere around 20% of the total voting population. It's frankly baffling to me.

          Anyway, if anyone actually does take the fall, I am sure it comes pre equipped with a similar golden parachute.

          3 votes
          1. Delgalar
            Link Parent
            Update: the Ontario government is reversing the green belt decision. While it took an overwhelmingly negative response to the move, it looks like my pessimism on it being reversed was incorrect in...

            Update: the Ontario government is reversing the green belt decision. While it took an overwhelmingly negative response to the move, it looks like my pessimism on it being reversed was incorrect in the end

            https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ford-stag-and-doe-integrity-commissioner-1.6974058

            1 vote
      2. chocobean
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        In the words of Fry, "I care, I care plenty, I just don't know how to make it stop" There will be some consequence and a number of people do care. It might not be enough sure but this defeated...

        In the words of Fry, "I care, I care plenty, I just don't know how to make it stop"

        There will be some consequence and a number of people do care. It might not be enough sure but this defeated attitude creates even more voter apathy. You're doing his dirty work for him

        5 votes
    2. [2]
      chocobean
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Quick question: can the green belt be saved regardless of what happens to Ford and his cronies? Answering my own question: yes, Canadians can still stop this on the municipal and federal level and...

      Quick question: can the green belt be saved regardless of what happens to Ford and his cronies? Answering my own question: yes, Canadians can still stop this on the municipal and federal level and there is action happening on those fronts. As well as on a criminal level for Ford and co.

      After a scathing auditor general's report that found Ontario's decision to open up protected Greenbelt lands for housing was heavily influenced by a small group of developers who now stand to make billions, the big question is: Can anyone stop the controversial land swap from going ahead? [...]

      One watchdog and one criminal authority are already involved. [...]

      Municipalities can stall developments by refusing to re-zone land still largely zoned for agricultural uses. They can also refuse any development applications made to local councils,

      At a new conference on Thursday, [Federal] Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said staff will be looking at the auditor general's report and any elements that touch on the federal government's environmental impact assessment study on development happening around the park. "We will be looking at those very closely," said Guilbeault.

      If that doesn't lead to any action, Gray says the federal minister can enact an emergency order under the federal Species at Risk Act that would make it so the province and developers would have "no choice" but to comply.[...]

      Environmental Defence has people "on the ground" watching for the movement of trucks and heavy equipment and are ready to go to court if there's an opportunity, he added.

      https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/greenbelt-stop-ford-ontario-1.6933082

      And then Hamilton mayor calls on Ford to abandon Greenbelt development plans which is exactly the kind of municipal action we need. And Some Hamilton councillors say they'll stand in front of bulldozers to stop Greenbelt development - many civilians will be there with them.

      Anyway I just want to say that people do care and many levels of government are doing something and quality investigative journalists reporting on it and things can be stopped. There are many things that help our environment and democracy. Sitting in front of a screen spreading defeatism hurts us all.

      2 votes
      1. countchocula
        Link Parent
        Thank you, the defeatism is brutal in Ontario. It's important to support real news outlets here as well, specifically https://thenarwhal.ca/ which continued to shed light on this issue when many...

        Thank you, the defeatism is brutal in Ontario. It's important to support real news outlets here as well, specifically https://thenarwhal.ca/ which continued to shed light on this issue when many rolled over. Also, donations are tax deductible and the articles are well researched and written.

        2 votes