Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Change of Heart: Greenbelt Land Removal Reversed

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced that his government will be taking steps to undo the controversial Greenbelt land removals that were initially proposed. Additionally, Ford said he won’t be making any changes to the Greenbelt in the future.

While on a meeting with his caucus during a retreat this week in Niagara Falls, Ford claims his caucus members shared with him what they have been hearing about the Greenbelt from people in the communities and he is listening.

“I made a promise to you that I wouldn’t touch the Greenbelt. I broke that promise and for that, I’m very, very sorry. It was a mistake to open the Greenbelt. It was a mistake to establish a process that moved too fast. This process, it left too much room for some people to benefit over others. It caused people to question our motives. As a first step to earn back your trust, I’ll be reversing the changes we made and won’t make any changes to the Greenbelt in the future,” said Ford.

Ontario’s Greenbelt is a sprawling expanse of protected land surrounding the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and other urban centers. It serves as a critical buffer against urban sprawl, safeguarding vital farmlands, natural habitats, and water sources.

The Greenbelt plays a significant role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the region by curbing overdevelopment and protecting the environment.

Last year, Ontario took 7,400 acres of land in more than a dozen sections out of the Greenbelt to build 50,000 homes citing the housing crisis, a move which came with a lot of criticism and opposition.

Report from the auditor general and integrity commissioner established that the process to select lands was rushed and favored certain developers.