The Ontario NDP have asked the province’s auditor general to investigate the Doug Ford government’s decision to open 7,400 acres of Greenbelt land for development.
The request comes on the heels of an investigation by The Narwhal and the Toronto Star which found that of the 15 areas to be opened for development, eight included properties purchased since Ford was elected. Six developers bought Greenbelt land after that first win in 2018, the same year Ford was recorded telling a private audience he would “open a big chunk” of the protected area if he became premier. Other developers, who own portions of long-protected land have held it for many years, also stand to make immense profits.
In a letter citing findings from the investigation, NDP MPP Marit Stiles said the timing of the purchases was “suspicious.” She asked auditor general Bonnie Lysyk to probe how much landowners might stand to gain from the opening of the Greenbelt land, the environmental impact and whether the changes are in the public interest.
“During your investigation, we also request that you consider sections 2 and 3 of the Members Integrity Act, which deal with MPP conflicts of interest and the sharing of insider information and refer any evidence of misconduct to the appropriate authorities,” read the letter, dated Nov. 24.
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-ndp-i...ca/ontario-ndp-investigation-greenbelt-sales/
The request comes on the heels of an investigation by The Narwhal and the Toronto Star which found that of the 15 areas to be opened for development, eight included properties purchased since Ford was elected. Six developers bought Greenbelt land after that first win in 2018, the same year Ford was recorded telling a private audience he would “open a big chunk” of the protected area if he became premier. Other developers, who own portions of long-protected land have held it for many years, also stand to make immense profits.
In a letter citing findings from the investigation, NDP MPP Marit Stiles said the timing of the purchases was “suspicious.” She asked auditor general Bonnie Lysyk to probe how much landowners might stand to gain from the opening of the Greenbelt land, the environmental impact and whether the changes are in the public interest.
“During your investigation, we also request that you consider sections 2 and 3 of the Members Integrity Act, which deal with MPP conflicts of interest and the sharing of insider information and refer any evidence of misconduct to the appropriate authorities,” read the letter, dated Nov. 24.
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-ndp-i...ca/ontario-ndp-investigation-greenbelt-sales/