The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has initiated an inquiry into the Ontario government’s plan to authorize development activities in certain sectors of the Greenbelt. An authorized spokesperson confirmed this development recently.
Statements from the RCMP indicate that they have initiated an investigation addressing allegations related to the decision. This investigation is to be spearheaded by the RCMP Ontario Division’s Sensitive and International Investigations Unit. The prime objective of this unit, according to the RCMP website, is to delve into high-risk matters posing considerable threats to Canada’s political stability, economic strength, and the integrity of its institutions, both inside Canada and on international platforms. This may incorporate investigations into elected officials on allegations of fraud, corruption, financial delinquencies or breach of trust.
Corporal Christy Veenstra of RCMP substantiated the significance and interest of Canadians in this investigation by affirming their duty to safeguard its integrity, to ensure a righteous and appropriate outcome. No further updates, however, will be issued at the present time.
The Ontario Provincial Police has referred the file to RCMP in August in the interests of avoiding any perceived conflicts. The provincial police’s anti-rackets branch has been probing the matter since mid-December.
The decision to develop 15 areas of protected land stirred significant controversy. The province’s auditor general and integrity commissioner concluded that certain developers may have benefited from partiality during the process. Consequently, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, after initially standing by the government’s choices, eventually reversed the decision in mid-September.
In November 2022, the Ontario government shocked the nation by announcing that they would strip 7,400 acres of protected green spaces of their status for housing. Following the shocking announcement, investigations were initiated after it was discovered that certain developers may have had foreknowledge of the decision.
The auditor general’s investigation revealed that the decision-making process overtly favoured select developers, lacked transparency and failed to account for environmental, agricultural and financial repercussions.
While Premier Ford has stated his intention to reverse the Greenbelt developmental decision, it will not stall an extensive review of the Greenbelt and countless applications for land expropriation in the coming years, as mandated by the former government. Meanwhile, the province’s new Housing Minister, Paul Calandra, has informed reporters about forthcoming Greenbelt legislation expected to cement the boundaries.
Given the nascent stage of the investigation, the RCMP’s decision’s potential influence on future Greenbelt actions remains uncertain. The Premier’s Office, however, has assured complete cooperation with the investigation, vowing a zero-tolerance stance towards any wrongdoing.
Despite the disquiet surrounding this situation, it appears vital to remember that elected officials have sworn an oath of integrity to serve the public. With this in mind, the opposition and the public are justified in their demand for answers concerning the Greenbelt. Ontario’s interim Liberal Leader, John Fraser, appears confident in his assertion that the path of this controversy inevitably leads back to the Premier’s office — a reflection of prevalent suspicions and an anxious anticipation of the RCMP’s findings.
Reflecting on the critical turn of events, Premier Ford acknowledges errors in planning and execution but insists that his government’s intention was not misguided, yet admits to a lack of foresight and due diligence in their approach.
