One year of schemes and scandals: Stiles marks the anniversary of RCMP's investigation into the Ford government

QUEEN’S PARK – Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP leader, remains focused on holding Ford and his government to account for their corrupt Greenbelt scheme one year into the RCMP’s criminal investigation. Stiles is raising new questions following the Toronto Star’s report on the investigation.

“People power, investigative journalism and a strong and relentless Opposition helped save the Greenbelt – but the people of Ontario are still waiting for the truth,” said Stiles. “There is still so much we don’t know about this mess. Reports that the RCMP is investigating potential bank accounts in Europe show that the extent of this corruption may be bigger than anyone thought.

An apology is not enough, Doug Ford needs to come clean about his role in this scheme to rob Ontarians of the Greenbelt to enrich a wealthy few.”

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