Greenbelt Controversy

Photo Credit: Greenbelt Guardians via Oakville News

In 2005, The Ontario government passed the Greenbelt Act, a piece of legislation that protects 2 million acres of land, with its primary objectives being to preserve farmland and reduce urban sprawl. However, on Nov. 4, 2022, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark revealed in a CBC News release that 15 areas of the Greenbelt — or almost 3,000 hectares — would be opened for the development of at least 50,000 residences. This was a follow-up to the Ontario government’s plan to build 1.5 million homes within the next decade.

Although Clark stated that 3,800 hectares of land would be added elsewhere to the Greenbelt, the opening of the protected area for urban expansion contradicted his promise in 2021 to “not open the Greenbelt up for any kind of development.”

On Aug. 9, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk released a report on the government’s decision to open specific land sites in the Greenbelt for housing development. “We found that how the land sites were selected was not transparent, fair, objective, or fully informed,” commented Bonnie Lysyk in the report. “It also can be shown that there was sufficient land for the target of 1.5 million homes to be built without the need to build on the Greenbelt.”

Lysyk went on to describe the government’s process in coming to such a decision as “seriously flawed” and “dismissive of effective land-use planning.” She revealed that 14 out of 15 sites opened for development in the Greenbelt were chosen by Clark’s chief of staff Ryan Amato rather than by public servants. Furthermore, she stated that “prominent developers” had handed Amato two packages, recommending the removal of two sites from the Greenbelt, one of whom had provided him with three more site-removal propositions shortly after. The first two proposed sites were purchased later in the month for $80 million.

All five proposed sites were included in the fourteen sites chosen by Amato. They accounted for 92 per cent of the acreage removed from the Greenbelt. 

On Aug. 22, Amato stepped down from his position in a resignation letter addressed to the Premier’s Office.

Photo Credit: Tara Walton/The Canadian Press via CBC

“These public statements have made it impossible, as a practical matter, for me to continue in my present role,” claimed Amato. “I am confident that I have acted appropriately, and that a fair and complete investigation would reach the same conclusion.”

Shortly after, on Aug. 30, Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake released a report detailing how he found that “Mr. Amato was the driving force behind a flawed process which provided an advantage to those who approached him.” 

In the report, Wake elucidates that though Clark was not aware of the actions of his subordinate, he “failed to oversee an important initiative in his ministry” and should be held accountable. Less than a week later, Clark officially resigned from his position as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Following calls from First Nations chiefs from across Ontario, Premier Doug Ford announced a reversal on the decision to develop land protected by the Greenbelt Act. 

“Our caucus, they shared with me what they have heard in their communities,” said Ford, “I made a promise to you that I wouldn’t touch the Greenbelt. I broke that promise.”

Ford expressed apologies and pledged to not make any changes to the Greenbelt in the future.