Carving up the Ontario Greenbelt: Was the process rigged? | About That
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- Опубліковано 9 сер 2023
- Well-connected developers influenced the Ontario government’s decision to open parts of the protected Greenbelt, according to a new auditor general report. Andrew Chang breaks down the scathing findings and questions left unanswered.
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Betraying the citizens of Ontario by fraud. The big red flag for me is the developers who refused to respect the summonses from the AG's office. People are fed up with entitled rich people who think they are above the law, and can do whatever they want by greasing the palms of weak, greedy and corrupt politicians in the Ontario Conservative Party. There should be an inquiry, as the premise for stripping these parcels of land from their protected status was based on fraud, motivated by greed.
I agree. But nothing is coming out of taxpayers' pockets. Let us say those two developers were not Tory friends, but they were Liberal friends, they still would have profited from it. Unfortunately, they were Tory friends.
Secondly, if you remember the Ontario Green Energy Act that doubled the electricity rates, billions came out of taxpayers pockets and went to wealthy green firms. I think it was $37 billion, that came out of taxpayers pocket as per 2015 auditor general report. Again I'm not defending Tories but facts are important. The Green Energy Act is the biggest scandal and it will remain the biggest scandal for decades to come. I will never vote Liberal for that reason alone.
@@TheTruthAlways Where did you get those numbers? I'm gonna do some reading.
@@danpham333 Google Green Energy Act + Auditor General + 2015
@@TheTruthAlways - Nothing is coming from taxpayers pockets? The greenspace IS PUBLIC. And it's not about if they were Liberal. That land was held in public trust. The green energy act was to diversify and modernize the energy supply and distribution system. I remember when, not Harris, but the sucker he gave the reins to, tried to modernize the system, and went those prices skyrocketed. The Green Energy Act was at least out in the open, open to public scrutiny, and public talk back.
@AlbertMark-nb9zo greenbelt land is PRIVATELY owned, in this case mostly by Tory developers. The scandal is it helped Tory developers, if they were Liberal developers you would be silent. Taxpayers pay zero for it. Taxpayers paid $37 billion in Green Energy Act for overpriced electricity that went to wealthy energy firms as per 2015 Auditor General Report.
What's interesting is one of the developers who was given permission to develop just happened to attend Ford's daughter's wedding literally the week he was getting the permissions. The problem isn't he allowed some development, the problem is he opened it up for only two developers and both are friends of Ford. Also there was over 600 other applications for development that were completely bypassed to award these two Ford friends the rights to develop.
This is absolute pure nepotism.
I'd like to see the gifts 🎁 👀 his daughters received from Doug's friends
Absolute corruption that’s what that is. Sickening already !
I agree. But nothing is coming out of taxpayers' pockets. Let us say those two developers were not Tory friends, but they were Liberal friends, they still would have profited from it. Unfortunately, they were Tory friends.
Secondly, if you remember the Ontario Green Energy Act that doubled the electricity rates, billions came out of taxpayers pockets and went to wealthy green firms. I think it was $37 billion, that came out of taxpayers pocket as per 2015 auditor general report. Again I'm not defending Tories but facts are important. The Green Energy Act is the biggest scandal and it will remain the biggest scandal for decades to come. I will never vote Liberal for that reason alone.
Man with a good memory detected! Unlike most!@@TheTruthAlways
Canada is over 80 percent green belt. We live on less than 20 percent of it. Billions of trees but I digress we must get greener which we are! Who knew CO2 actually greens the planet!
I think .. Ford family has done so much to harm Ontario.
The legacy started with their father needs to go down in flames!!
He should have been arrested yesterday
This is a banana republic so no.
Really? On what charges? Horrific as this is I cannot think of one criminal charge that can be laid
hello, do you care for a chat and get to know each other better?
Farmers and others owned that farm for decades.
They were told it was protected and could never be developed.
Then when Doug's buddies found out Doug would let them develop prime farm land they bought on insider trading.
Is there a law against insider trading?
Nancy Pelosi is one of the best traders of all time, with the help of her husband LOL. Sorry, I meant Partner.@@bobcrane9945
@@bobcrane9945 I find it hard to believe that bribery and corruption would not have taken place. Finding all the dirt to prove it is another matter, but it sure looks like it. Did they make political contributions to Ford or the PC party in exchange for the promise of opening of the greenbelt? The video shows Ford literally making the promise of opening "a big chunk" of the greenbelt in a meeting with developers in 2018.
i love how its a housing crisis when the very developer's hes bending over backwards for are the ones who are causing it in the first place.
Exactly. Tory gave free land to developers as well and they made huge profits from Regent Park and other places.
Yeah...That was the infuriating gaslighting Dougy Dumb Dumb is using...
@@Annapurna818but Pierre the millionaire says Trudeau did this?!?! He cant be wrong can he!??
@@northernpunx1978 this is provincial but nice to drag in the federal government ... DUH
Harris sold off the 407 and wound up living on bridle path. That is the area of North York where properties are an acer plus, with huge very expensive mansions. I call it Beverly Hills North.
Harper sold us out to China with the FIPA deal with the help of the liberals, Mulroney the same thing with NAFTA and free trade. NEVER TRUST THE CONS!
Ford's response is very telling.
He’s banking on his voters not actually reading about the specifics of the AG report, just that “the process should have been better”. Unfortunately, it’s a winning strategy.
As Canadians we're going to need that land for food. World hunger problems along with tornadoes overly hot weather terrible snow storms in the USA, I putting us in a position of paying tripled the prices because we're having to import the foods from the states and with the storms and things it will become harder and harder for the USA to supply our needs with vegetables for the winter months. We need to start supporting our own farmers and make sure that there are enough lens for growing food on to help support our needs here in Hamilton and through the Niagara belt. This is the most fertile land around and should be saved for growing food, not for housing. There are other areas that can be used for housing.
you are absolutely right, can we chat and get to know each other better?
That is exactly the critical issue here. The loss of prime farmland to a bunch of greedy short sited individuals that are looking after their own interests. A good question to the primer is how is he planning to feed all those 1000,000 + people that are choosing Ontario as their destination?
Do you know specifically what is grown there?
@@pepe.sanchez From the photos shown cereal crops.
@@martindonald7613 yeah.. cash crops.. mainly soy, corn and wheat. I've always wondered how much of that stays in Ontario and how much is exported.
Why are politicians never charged and jailed for their corruption, all that we ever do is talk about the corruption and the guilt, but we never see anybody punished
Even when they are, it’s very few.
Exactly this and why they think they can get away with it. At least the rcmp have opened an investigation as the opp can’t be trusted to be unbiased.
Surprise , surprise Doug Ford is corrupt , Ontario voted for this guy and deserve everything they get
I'm Ontarian and wish I wasn't. Defs did not vote for Ford 😠
Like liberals are better? My Hydro bill disagrees.
What did they get?
@@Annapurna818 waa waa,,,as if this compares. besides the PC were part of the Hydro privatization
@@Annapurna818 Typical Conservative doesn't care about facts. Look up where Ontario sits for the cost of electricity all across Canada. We are the 4th lowest out of 13 provinces and territories. We are about 50% lower than the Canadian average.
So angry over this! Most corrupt Ontario primer to date.
you know somethings wrong, when Literally the most conservative leaning paper in the country is telling Doug to stop 🛑 "Ford's 'preferential' deal with developers should be reversed " I believe this needs a full RCMP investigation, he should be charged with accepting bribes and racketeering. The ethics surrounding this are cut and dry.
The OPP and the RCMP are watching him. There is a paper trail of kickbacks he took to open up The Green Belt and privatize Ontario Place both without much or any public consultation.😂
The reporters should ask Mr. Ford, Just how much money was his slice of the pie being handed to him under the table???!!
@trevorhebert5297 That where the RCMP comes in taking over the investigation on that same issue from the OPP. Hopefully something will be found but I'm sure it'll take time.
Foug Dord - Bullsh!ter ! The deluxe model .
To Ford nothing matters except making money. To Hell with the environment. If you can help line the pockets of your friends then so much the better. If those friends happen to make large donations to the Conservative Party then so much better still.
Leave the green belt alone!
Investigate everyone, EVERYONE especially Ford A thru Z then hold all individuals to the law.
Nobody is above the law here either. "Can you smell that fishy odour?"
Ford is toast in the next election even if the Conservatards still try to vote him in, ignoring this betrayal to the citizens of Ontario including medical first responders, and all Health Care workers in general. he treats them like dirt.
Yes. I fear for our Health services. He has cut way back on eye care for one
As usual CBC, your work is outstanding!!!! Now we need to spread this message to all Ontarians!!!!! enough of this CONServative provincial government!!!!!!
Smarten up, ALL of these Parties are corrupt!!!
You forgot about WE Charity???
Whatever party does this should be held accountable for insider trading! PERIOD!
Try to reason for yourself and get off the Populist bandwagon!
CBC often does not cover a story at all cause it does not fit their agenda, their team, or they will not allow anyone to call out things in the comments.
Thankfully THIS time THEY ALLOWED COMMENTS.
Smarten up!!!!
FORD🤡🤡🤡🤡🤮🤮🤮🤮
😂 protest at Ford fest tomorrow in Windsor 😂 well the OPP organized crime unit has been " looking into this since December 2022" so that has to say something about this whole situation 😂
Ty! Keep digging into this scandal
Given the state of the fires, they need greenbelt areas Vancouver had the same problem yrs ago when they wanted to build on Burns Bog. There have been various development plans proposed in Burns Bog. In 1988, Western Delta Lands proposed the development of a deep-sea port on Burns Bog. After much public opposition, Delta Council rejected the proposal. The company tried twice again in 1990 and 1991, but both proposals were defeated.
Burns Bog - Wikipedia
The government should fall unless there are multiple resignations/firings. A disgrace.
Well, the Premier, the housing minister and his chief of staff should all resign. The Premier can't or wouldn't fire himself. The voters have to do that but the next election won't be for another three years. Ford waited until after the last election to spring his greenbelt swap plan on us.
It just makes me sick to watch Ford and his cabinet lie through their teeth to the citizens of Ontario.
You wanted to know what it's like living in Ontario under Doug Ford?
Read Orwell.
You'll know.
Yeah, but the whole world is going that way.
Liberal or Conservative, they are both crooks out for themselves.
Lots of people think, my team are the good guys. LOL
That's the problem.
People need to call out their own team when they do wrong.
Thank you. I was trying to explain it to many others!
Corruption at the first level. There is no need to remove land from the green belt. The solution is redevelopment and municipal bylaws updates so that current single residential dwelling lots can be converted to multiple occupancy units.
Corruption at it's highest level.
Conservatives being conservatives.
Can you say "kick backs Doug"?
Lock them up!!!!!!
Chief of staff gets the blame always. 😂 They are just lackeys. Buck stops at the top. Why is anyone surprised here? Corruption is the order of the day.
On such an important decision, why do we get this information after the crime? when it appears that the intent, was known before the crime. Shouldn’t this have been studied, reviewed and stopped, before it became too late.
Who's going to stop it? Doug and Steve were the only ones who could stop it, but they're also the perpetrators! Lol
Ford lied to the public from day one. He said he wasn't going to touch the Greenbelt, but at the same time at private parties, he was telling his developer friends he was going to open it up. He's a crook, and should be convicted on corruption charges.
Wow, So sad@@djsiii4737
It’s obvious that Ford is a grifter
sup dude
@@LARRYJOHNSON-dt3ed sup
Do you care for a chat and get to know each other better?
@@LARRYJOHNSON-dt3ed depends on the subject
Just casual friends
OF ALL THE LAND IN ONTARIO..THIS TRAITOR USES THE GREEN BELT...
Lock them up!
It’s not just Doug Ford doing this, but because it’s close to Toronto and the project is large. This is happening all over Ontario, I live in a former farming valley, you should see the houses being built in the last 35 years. As a developer, what would you like, a nice well drained field, already cleared, or an uneven rocky piece of land?
Look at Shelburne Ontario....do they still grow potatoes?
Did you see the part of the story where they said several acres of land opened up for development are flood Plains? I'd hardly call that prime development land! They're going to have to drain it and put in all kinds of infrastructure, which the city of Pickering engineers have said will take 20+ years or so. How is that helping our housing crisis now?
@@musingwithreba9667 the greater city of Sudbury has spent three years, to date, countless loads of fill, gravel, sand, probably in the hundreds, on a site that was swampy and will allow developers to build rental properties. I was just pointing out that, wether it is well drained or not, we are building on arable land, which we may need one day, to feed the people coming to Canada.
@@freddieqmercury5961 we need it to feed the people who are here now!
The people of Ontario are still fighting to see the mandate letters Drug Ford issued to his ministers. Previous governments made these public. There is a lot of smoke around this provincial government.
No, I'm a people of Ontario.
I'm waiting for the 48% non voter majority to be included, like the non voting legislators are.
@bibiburns3236 The Ford family has a history in smoke. Either the smoke around this provincial government, or the wild smoke he puffs.
We'll listen to all the recommendations except for changing the decision. We took the developers money, and they expect a return and well, too bad you gave us a majority. - Rob Ford.
This needs to be undone. Restore the green belt and look elsewhere. Then deal with the political mess.
this is actually a simple, but true and effective solution, yes, this has to be undone.. and the major developers involved also should be penalized
@@tony--james I agree but how would you suggest that be done other than turning their investment back into protected green space? I cannot think of an actual crime that they have committed.
@@bobcrane9945 you know somethings wrong, when Literally the most conservative leaning paper in the country is telling Doug to stop 🛑 "Ford's 'preferential' deal with developers should be reversed " I believe this needs a full RCMP investigation, he should be charged with accepting bribes and racketeering. The ethics surrounding this are cut and dry.
@@tony--james The ethics clearly stink I completely agree but the only way to deal with ethice is during an election. As to the bribery and racketeering that is far more difficult. If they did their job well there will be little if any proof that this went past the housing minsters chiefof staff. He clearly wil become a scapegoat in this. It will also require proof og payment or compensation of some type to hang the developers. Lobbying is still legal in this country and I am certain they will use that as their excuse. This entire situation upsets me because I am certain that beyond the chief of stafff nothing will be done about this and the houses will still be built on greenspace. I also expect that there many of them will be McMansions on 1 and 5 acre lots
We need a Government Transparency Act. Pull down the shadow walls.
Its only some of the most expensive as well as most protected land in Ontario. Give me a break. Its crimminal to use it for anything at all. Its protected from all. How can it be sold. It belongs to the peoples talk about a missuse of power. STOP the sale PERIOD
No, much of it does not belong to "the people".: It's privately owned.
Thank-you CBC. Keep-up the good work.
What a scandal if they use this Greenbelt land to build more million dollar single family homes. Who would that help?
Thank god we have Ontario making us in Alberta look less bad 😂😂😂
We really need to stop passing this ball back and forth 😅
@@Kreepie11 no, no, you can keep it please. We've been laughed at for a few decades straight. I insist 😭😭😭😭
@@WeatherManToBe Let's just throw it over that wall to the south and hope both of our prov. governments can stop being terrible. 😅🙂
You’re welcome?
Yeah, no. Ford's unequivocally terrible. Smith is unhinged and your populace is keeping us as a country back by refusing to divest from the tar sands.
a great investigative report. so unusual in Canadian Journalism.
You mean great propaganda video? That's not uncommon at all.
Alas, I didn't and Toronto as a whole didn't vote for Ford either.
whoops, replied to wrong post
Government should not be influenced by WEll connected developers, this in itself tells us something is not right.
Lock them up! Leave the people's assets alone.
Yeah hello 👋
Well explained, thank you
We build homes in FSJ BC on clay and muck and all have basement sump pumps. They could have built anywhere. Classic conservatives. Short term greed before long term health and wealth.
Clearly you need to read up on your military tactics.
What is a struggle that doesn't exist?
It is cause for war.
To keep the peace, some conflict is required.
For now.
To the Premier heir apparent - publicly announce the construction of a large swath of low income housing next to his criminal buddies development and safe injection sites next to the ridiculous waterfront spa. Someone at least do something to put a crimp into these schemes. There needs to be consequences for this sort of blatant corruption. (No disrespect meant to low income folks or those who rely on safe injection sites)
NOT SURE HOW PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO JAIL!!!
What did you expect when you elect a government like that. Criminals.
YUP, but the Libs would do the same.
Not a Ford Fan at all, but I remember WE Charity and lots we never hear about.
We need transparency and charges laid what ever party does this!
About That is great and I'm glad we have people fighting and call all this garbage out. We have very corrupt insurance companies, government agents and corporations and that jusst from what I've personally witnessed. We all need to do our part to investigate, speak out, and fight back.
🇨🇦
🧂
When Ford says it's not about helping his friends do not believe it!
He promises not to touch the land . That was his policy . Then he says he is trying to save us from higher housing costs . Then nudge nudge wink wink KA CHING 😉
Change the bylaws to allow for "missing middle" medium density suburbs, with village-like shops and bicycle infrastructure rather than the car desserts that we are addicted to. Single family suburbs are not sustainable, as the tax base can't keep up with infrastructure requirements over time. We need Montreal style neighborhoods with within the existing purview of Toronto....not another purgatory of cookie cutter waste lands.
These people believe it is their right to make money at everyone else's cost. Corporate Welfare comes in many forms and this one stinks of corruption.
I cry now every time I’m coming home. I moved here because it was protected All that prime farm land and green belt completely bulldozed over with monster warehouses and hundreds of homes built and the traffic now is through the roof. All those extra tax dollars. It’s just greed. 💔
Thank you for looking into this
Politics is full of BS. One thing that politics should have is a political police, making sure any elected party do it by the book. There is still too many ways to be not transparent!
Junkie's bro belongs in jail..no surprise here
Thank you CBC very informtive.
Selfish rich people are turning a world humans never owned into another uninhabitable rock.
#DoughFordStickyFingers
As a developer I have to say I read this comment section with bemusement. it takes five years to get a typical project through just the zoning and approval process before you can even build anything, and every thing you want to do is subject NIMBY's determined to not let anything like density happen where they live. Yet I keep seeing people ignorantly taking it for granted that developers somehow control the process. One of the reasons there is a housing crisis is because it is so hard to develop things. The idea developers are causing it is just wrong. Rather than being the people causing it we are trying to do things in the face of bureaucratic system is refusing to let us build the product that people want.
Maybe you just need better friends. Seems to work out great for those with connections.
Well, go talk to Ford about all these difficulties. I'm sure he'll help you out. Just give his daughter a nice present.
This is a Public Office, it’s not a private biz. There are rules and procedures to follow. Not some kind of back room desk under the table.
For what Dougy did, it’s time to Fire him.
California has Recall Mechanism to oust a Governor. It’s time to do it in Ontario.
There’s a Bully Pattern with Ford. Ontario Place same BS!
Fire him now. Not tomorrow but Right Now!!!!!!
The crisis, Doug, is not a shortage of Million dollar Condos, which is what you and your developer cronies seem to be interested in, but affordable housing, that middle income people can afford. Nobody seems interested in building those , nor does your government seem to be interested in pushing for that type of development. Leave the greenbelt alone. How about shoving a few high-rises into Rosedale, or up around the Bridle path, see how that goes over ?
You are the carbon they want to reduce
Come on Dougie , don't hide behind the housing crisis . Let's face it , it was all an inside deal to make your developer friend wealthier . You've been caught with your hands in the cookie jar ...... plain and simple .
Is that a rhetorical question!
Openly admitted to opening the green belt at his first kick at the can on video.
Couldn't do it his 1st term . Sure, made good his promise this time.
Housing crisis!!! Between Pompas Perrier Polliuver and his double Doug Ford, did they just crawl from under a huge rock or the deep hole .
There has been a housing crisis more to the point affordable housing for over 40 yrs!!!
As George Carlin said its not in the government or a builder best interest because there is no money in affordable housing!
But 8.3 billion made it worth there while for those chosen builders!
He lied before to your faves and has done it again
Want to take responsibility
Fire your housing minister his cheif of staff and then resign .
If you ran Decal like you have the government you wouldn't be in business long
Problem is they should set the laws the citizens follow the laws. It’s not up to them to directly order how citizens should behave.
Inside 'Trading'
Chang didn't include the part of a previous show, where he acknowledged that building on non-Greenbelt land takes years of re-zoning, meetings, approvals, rejections, and general bureaucracy..... they don't have that amount of time.
Yes!
...the move of Ontario Science Center to Ontario Place.. misguided... but you know there are developers lining up for that land.... really, I don't have a problem of many of Ford's policies, some are not the best calls for sure.. .but this land grab for developers is pure corruption....
The minister needs to go
do you care for a chat and get to know each other better?
Developers everywhere hold sway at both the municipal and provincial governments. Here in Alberta the Conservatives have allowed the residential housing industry to dictate the rules. Developers and contractors can walk away from the problems they create, declare bankruptcy and open up shop under another company the next day.
Ah, Dougie,a little graft. Reminds me of Charles Durning in _The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,_
“Ooh I love to dance a little sidestep, now they see me now they don't
I've come and gone and, ooh I love to sweep around the wide step
Cut a little swathe and lead the people on …”
I would love to know how our ground water will filter itself and where our food will come from if we build over all our farm and marsh lands. They say we have lots of land and that's true but not far north our land becomes the Canadian shield good luck growing our food their. I guess my biggest question is why can't the Canadian government do the right things that are blatantly obvious to most people. Build up restrict size of homes and properties and if the people who can afford bigger property that are not using it for agriculture should be penalized financially. There are practical solutions probably better then my ideas but they are too busy being selfish!
Liars
Greed greed greed.
Wake up CBC, I'm here to criticize Doug Ford.
I won't be kind.
Prepare to silence me.
A criminal investigation is needed and Doug Ford should be forced to step down until investigation is over-hopefully resulting in prison sentences for all involved.
Yes and corrupt dispite what OPP may say.
Dawg Fraud
Simple, take it to court to enforce the recommendations. And investigate the chief of staff rule in such deal.
What about ALL the brownfields and defunct factories!? Too expensive? TOO BAD! All those developers are making houses that are too expensive!!! I, and my children, do not need a MANSION!!! Just a small house! Then you make it difficult to get a mortgage!
Did Ford actually say, "the likes we never seen before "...
Where have I heard this phrase before 🤔
Never liked the Fords, thy are gangtes thourght and thought.
How much does Doug pocket from all this as well .
9:51 if the land isn't developed by 2025, it goes back to the greenbelt. Why did you leave that information out?
I don't agree with any politician but if there's land that needs housing than what's the problem
The greenbelt has been poached and urbanized for decades.😮 but now its blatantly corrupt 😢😢
This is going on everywhere all over the world. Those on top will be brought down soon enough... the people have had enough!
the fish stinks from the head down
Doug Ford Greedy train and corruption.
Lock ford up
Just get a tent
Sure, buiilding mansions in the boonies will definitely fix the housing crisis.