In a turn of events, Steve Clark, MPP, has tendered his resignation from his portfolio as Ontario’s Housing Minister. Penning a public letter shared on social media platforms, Clark conveyed that the gravity of the ongoing housing crisis necessitates a leader who won’t divert attention from crucial tasks.
He acknowledged that despite contemplating to retain his position and rectify past errors, he conceived that his continuance in office would only serve as a distraction from the principal agenda. Reflecting on his actions, he recognized the impetus to assume liability for past transgressions.
Although he resigned from his ministerial duties, Clark retains his membership with Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party. He remains the representative for his constituency, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.
The backdrop to his resignation is garnished with two condemnatory reports on the Greenbelt. These papers laid bare a skewed process that clandestinely favored certain property developers, undermining transparency.
Concomitantly, Clark found himself in the crosshairs of Ontario’s integrity commissioner, who recommended a parliamentary reproach against him for dereliction from overseeing Greenbelt land selection for development. For this, Clark was adjudged to have contravened regulations relating to conflicts of interest and insider-information utilization set in the Members’ Integrity Act.
The Integrity Commissioner, J. David Wake, critiqued Clark for misreading a directive letter dealing with Greenbelt land designation that led to a hasty schedule. Wake chastised Clark for withdrawing his supervisory duties over the procedure and railroading proposals to the cabinet without scrutinizing his team’s decisions, casting Clark’s judgment in a dismal light.
Wake expressed disbelief in his report, finding it hard to comprehend that Minister Clark chose to ignore an essential initiative under his ministry. The 166-page report concluded that a leadership vacuum led to the improper progression of specific property developers’ private interests.
In a preceding month, Ontario’s auditor general disclosed that nearly 92% of the 7,400 acres of land depredated from the Greenbelt were tied to three developers in direct liaison with the housing ministry.
The Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk, flagged a procedure that unduly favored certain developers and lacked transparency while overlooking environmental, agricultural, or financial impacts. She noted the owners of the 15 land sites chosen could see their properties’ values surge by over $8.3 billion.
Both reports collectively censured Clark’s chief of staff, Ryan Amato, proponent of 14 of the 15 Greenbelt sites, for alleged misconduct. Concurrently, they underscored that the housing minister should have taken a proactive role in such a crucial initiative.
Premier Doug Ford, throughout the last month, has steadfastly supported his housing minister, expressing confidence in his team’s capacity to achieve their housing goal of constructing 1.5 million domiciles over a decade.
In a post on the social media platform X, Ford expressed his gratitude towards Clark for his contributions in Cabinet while reiterating the unaltered housing goals. He registered his belief that Clark will still be a valuable asset for their team at Queen’s Park.
Opposition parties who have been vocal about Clark’s resignation since the auditor general first unveiled her damning report welcomed the move. NDP Leader Marit Stiles acknowledged Clark’s responsibility acceptance as a positive move but observed that the controversy’s reach extends far from Clark’s office. She continues to lobby for the legislature’s recall and the return of the Greenbelt land.
