Leaked government memo shows Conservatives knew forced sprawl was bad policy

QUEEN’S PARK — Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles says an internal government memo from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing shows the Conservatives knew their unilateral decisions to pave over greenspace and farmland by expanding urban boundaries were wrong but proceeded anyway.

“What we’re seeing is Act II of the Greenbelt corruption crisis,” Stiles said. “This is yet further evidence that this government will stop at nothing to rig the system so long as it helps their close land speculator friends.”

The NDP has obtained an internal government briefing note highlighting “possible contentious issues” concerning the Conservatives’ April 2023 ministerial amendments to municipal official plans in Waterloo, Wellington County, Guelph, Barrie, Belleville and Peterborough.

The document shows the government knowingly overrode recommendations from regional planning staff by adding lands to municipalities’ urban boundaries proposed via “third-party requests,” neglected to consult with impacted First Nations, and forced urban boundary expansions that were at odds with the province’s own planning policies and housing targets.

“Ford’s Conservatives decided to plow ahead regardless,” Stiles said. “They knew what they were doing was wrong. But still, they unilaterally forced municipalities to expand their urban boundaries onto prime farmlands and critical watersheds even though they know it wasn’t rooted in evidence, and that it didn’t involve adequate public consultation.”

“Given the Greenbelt scandal, given the government’s forced sprawl in Hamilton and Ottawa that benefited certain speculators, this begs the question: Which “third part[ies]” were the government catering to?”

Background

Click here to download a copy of the memo and backgrounder.

Quotes

Waterloo: MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo)

“The Ford government’s contempt for First Nations, Waterloo citizens, and Waterloo city council is on full display today. Ford ignored his duty to consult with First Nations. He knew our community was asking questions. Instead of working to address those concerns – he tried to bury them with spin.”

Niagara: MPP Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre), NDP critic for Municipal Affairs

“It’s becoming clearer every day that Ford’s government was fully aware that their failed housing plans were corrupt and deeply unpopular. They didn’t consult with First Nations or city councils. They only seemed to have consulted with favoured land speculators.”

Hamilton: MPP Sandy Shaw (Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas)

“This document confirms what we already know. Hamilton’s city council and community have been clear that we don’t want or need Ford to meddle in our municipal decisions, but he did it anyways. That’s not leadership – it’s just wrong.