Five local communities in Ontario, which Premier Doug Ford’s administration vowed to reimburse for expenses related to the Greenbelt controversy, have voiced their ongoing wait for the promised repayments. Opposition Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) have criticized the Progressive Conservatives for failing to honor their commitment, accusing the province of transferring the financial burden onto municipal taxpayers.
According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request by CBC News, the cities and towns, including Durham Region, Pickering, Grimsby, Guelph, and Wellington County, claimed approximately $850,000 in lost staff hours, legal fees, and consulting expenses by September 2024. These costs arose due to Ford’s initial decision to permit Greenbelt development in 2022, followed by a subsequent reversal of the controversial move nearly a year later.
The communities had submitted their reimbursement requests, reiterating the province’s commitment from a year earlier, as detailed in a briefing note intended for senior civil servants and the then-Minister of Municipal Affairs, Paul Calandra. Calandra had acknowledged the financial burden on municipalities and pledged to collaborate with them to address planning and staffing costs associated with the Greenbelt issue.
However, the briefing note indicated a lack of proactive outreach by the ministry to solicit cost submissions from the municipalities. The status of reimbursement remains uncertain, with no official decision made by the province on reimbursing the municipalities. Requests for clarification from the government regarding the reimbursement status or the minister’s directives have gone unanswered.
The Greenbelt controversy, initiated in 2022 when the government proposed opening protected lands for development, has been marred by scandal. The auditor general and integrity commissioner highlighted a rushed and biased land selection process that favored specific developers, potentially increasing land values by billions. In response to public outcry, Ford reversed the decision in September 2023, with ongoing investigations by the RCMP.
Despite assurances from Calandra that municipalities would be compensated for costs related to the Greenbelt policy reversal, recent confirmations from Durham Region, Pickering, Grimsby, Guelph, and Wellington County reveal that they are yet to receive reimbursements. The communities highlighted the expenses incurred in anticipation of housing development, emphasizing the financial strain caused by the province’s actions.
The failure to fulfill reimbursement promises has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, with Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and NDP municipal affairs critic Jeff Burch condemning the government for shifting financial burdens to local taxpayers. Calls have been made for the province to honor its commitment and alleviate the financial strain on municipalities impacted by the Greenbelt controversy.