“Has this government learned nothing?” — Stiles marks two-year anniversary of the RCMP criminal investigation into Ford’s Greenbelt scandal

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles remains focused on demanding transparency and accountability from the Ford government as the RCMP criminal investigation into the corrupt Greenbelt scheme hits the two-year mark.

“The people of Ontario are still waiting for answers,” said Stiles. “The hard work of journalists, community members, and our laser-focused team stopped Doug Ford’s corrupt plan and saved the Greenbelt — but two years later, there’s still no accountability.

“Two years later, it’s déjà vu. We saw it with Ontario Place, and now we’re seeing it again, with revelations that Labour Minister David Piccini may have tipped the scales to help well-connected insiders cash in on the Skills Development Fund meant to support workers.

“While Piccini enjoys lobbyists’ Parisian weddings and ice-level Leafs tickets, he’s just following Ford’s lead: get caught, apologize, and do it all over again.

“Has this government learned nothing?”

BACKGROUND:

• In November 2022, Ontario NDP and Marit Stiles asked the Auditor General’s office to investigate the proposed removal of land from the Greenbelt, as well as the 4,500 acres of the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) Lands
• On December 9, 2022, Stiles filed a complaint with the Office of the Integrity Commissioner to offer an opinion on whether the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing or his Chief of Staff violated the Members’ Integrity Act or regulations on ongoing lobbying efforts 
• On January 11 2023, Stiles and fellow Opposition leaders requested an investigation from the Auditor General’s office on the environmental impact of removing the Greenbelt lands and renewed Stiles’ call for a value-for-money audit 
• On January 18, 2023, Stiles filed a complaint with the Office of the Integrity Commissioner to offer an opinion on whether the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing or his Chief of Staff violated the Members’ Integrity Act or regulations on ongoing lobbying efforts 
• On August 9, 2023, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk released her special report on the Greenbelt
• On August 16, 2023, Stiles asked the Integrity Commissioner to consider the findings in the Auditor General’s report, specifically regarding the use of personal emails by political staff