Ford Says His Government Didn’t Give Advance Notice to Developers on Greenbelt Plan

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to the media after attending the opening of the Kubota's new Canadian corporate headquarters and distribution facility in Pickering, Ont. on October 12, 2022. The Canadian Press/Chris Young

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Dec. 1 that neither he nor anyone associated with his government gave advance notice to developers who bought land in the Greenbelt before it became open for development.

Earlier in the week, opposition parties had requested both the Auditor General and the Integrity Commissioner look into the matter. Developers had purchased land in a portion of the Greenbelt that the government later announced would become open for development.

A reporter asked Ford on Dec. 1: “Can you definitively say that you and no one associated with your government gave any advance notice either directly to the developers or through any kind of intermediaries about this plan?”

Ford replied, “I can confirm that.”

He added, “We’re just happy that we’re gonna hold these people accountable to start building attainable and affordable homes for the next generation.”

Ford spoke of the need to develop the approximately 7,000-acre parcel of Greenbelt land to accommodate some 300,000 people moving to Ontario annually. His government has allotted 9,000 acres to the Greenbelt to replace the 7,000 taken.

Tacc Developments (Block 41) Inc. is one of the developers to have purchased Greenbelt land, according to the CBC. In May 2021, the company purchased more than 40 hectares, much of which was in the Greenbelt, for about $50 million. Green Lane Bathurst GP Inc. is another, and it purchased five parcels of land for $80 million in September, according to the CBC.

The Epoch Times contacted both companies for comment, but did not receive a reply by time of publication.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner had filed a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner Nov. 28. NDP MPP Marit Stiles submitted a request to the Auditor General on Nov. 25 asking for a probe.