Promises vs actions

What happened · Dec 6, 2023

Clark's ministry proposed removing about 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt in November 2022 and the removals took effect in December 2022; the government then put all 15 sites back by law on December 6, 2023.

On November 4, 2022, Clark announced a consultation on removing about 7,400 acres in 15 areas from the Greenbelt to build at least 50,000 homes. The removals took effect on December 14, 2022. After the Auditor General's and Integrity Commissioner's reports, the government restored all 15 sites through the Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023, which received Royal Assent on December 6, 2023.

Who benefited

• TACC (TACC Construction / TACC Developments, De Gasperis family)

  The Auditor General lists TACC Development Inc. as the housing developer for three sites removed from the Greenbelt in December 2022, together 58.27% of the removed area, including the 4,289-acre Duffins Rouge site. The Integrity Commissioner found TACC's president personally handed the housing minister's chief of staff a package for Cherrywood at a September 2022 developer dinner, and Cherrywood was then removed in full. The Auditor General cites an MPAC estimate of a $6.63 billion value increase for the Duffins Rouge site as a whole. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), Report Re Minister Clark — Integrity Commissioner of Ontario (Aug 30, 2023), Who are the GTA developers set to benefit from Ford government's Greenbelt land swap? — CBC Toronto (Nov 11, 2022)

• Silvio De Gasperis

  President and CEO of TACC Group. The Integrity Commissioner found he had long sought development of Cherrywood and personally brought the removal request to the housing minister's chief of staff; Cherrywood was removed in December 2022. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Report Re Minister Clark — Integrity Commissioner of Ontario (Aug 30, 2023), Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), This is how 2 Greenbelt deals went down, according to developers — CTV News / CP (Sept 2023)

• Rice Group

  The Auditor General lists Green Lane Bathurst Limited Partnership as the developer of the 655-acre Bathurst-King site removed from the Greenbelt (8.84% of the removed area). The Integrity Commissioner names the requestor as 'Green Lane Bathurst – Rice Group' and records that CEO Michael Rice gave the chief of staff a site package; CBC reported a company he controlled bought five parcels there for $80 million about two months before the removals were announced. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), Report Re Minister Clark — Integrity Commissioner of Ontario (Aug 30, 2023), Who are the GTA developers set to benefit from Ford government's Greenbelt land swap? — CBC Toronto (Nov 11, 2022)

• Fieldgate Developments

  The Auditor General lists Fieldgate Homes as the developer of the 1,809-acre Book Road site in Hamilton, 24.41% of all land removed from the Greenbelt and the second-largest removal. The Integrity Commissioner reports Fieldgate's president had been acquiring Book Road lands since about 2016. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), Report Re Minister Clark — Integrity Commissioner of Ontario (Aug 30, 2023)

• Flato Developments

  The Auditor General lists Flato Upper Markham Village Inc. (10.58 acres) and Torca Inc. / Flato Developments (12.81 acres) as developers of two removed sites, and the Integrity Commissioner's requestor list names Flato Developments Inc. for the 19th Avenue site. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), Report Re Minister Clark — Integrity Commissioner of Ontario (Aug 30, 2023), Who are the GTA developers set to benefit from Ford government's Greenbelt land swap? — CBC Toronto (Nov 11, 2022)

Who was hurt

• City of Pickering · $360,135 in costs, not reimbursed

  Pickering staff tallied $360,135 in direct and indirect costs from working on the Greenbelt removal plans, including about $90,000 in staff time, more than $178,000 for a Cherrywood financial-impact consultant and $90,000 in legal fees, and told the province its taxpayers were on the hook. CBC reported in August 2026 that it had not been reimbursed.

  Source: 2 municipalities ask Ontario government to compensate them for Greenbelt work — CBC / CP (Oct 22, 2023), 5 Ontario communities still waiting for reimbursement after Greenbelt scandal — CBC Toronto (Aug 24, 2026)

• Town of Grimsby · $82,000 in costs, not reimbursed

  Council unanimously asked the province to reimburse about $82,000 spent on legal, consulting and staff time 'as a direct result of the pressure placed upon the town by the provincial government' over the Greenbelt changes. CBC reported in August 2026 that it had still not been reimbursed.

  Source: 2 municipalities ask Ontario government to compensate them for Greenbelt work — CBC / CP (Oct 22, 2023), 5 Ontario communities still waiting for reimbursement after Greenbelt scandal — CBC Toronto (Aug 24, 2026)

• Regional Municipality of Durham · $322,000 in costs, not reimbursed

  An FOI briefing note reported by CBC says Durham Region incurred $322,000 in direct and indirect costs from the Greenbelt removals and their reversal, and the Region confirmed to CBC it has not been reimbursed.

  Source: 5 Ontario communities still waiting for reimbursement after Greenbelt scandal — CBC Toronto (Aug 24, 2026)

What happened · May 13, 2021

The province cancelled the Hamilton LRT on Dec. 16, 2019, then committed to it again with the federal government on May 13, 2021.

On March 28, 2019, Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek lifted the land-buying freeze and said "Premier Ford has committed a billion dollars to this project." On Dec. 16, 2019, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney cancelled the line, citing a third-party estimate of $5.5 billion including 30 years of operations; Metrolinx had spent about $162 million on it. On May 13, 2021, Ontario and Ottawa committed up to $1.7 billion each (about $3.4 billion) to build the same 14 km, 17-stop line. As of 2026 it is not built: Metrolinx awarded the first civil and utilities contract in spring 2026, starting an 18–24 month development phase, and a second procurement for stops, rail and systems is still to come.

Who benefited

• Aecon Group Inc.

  The Aecon-led Hamilton Transit Alliance was selected by Metrolinx in April and May 2026 for the first major civil and utilities package on the revived Hamilton LRT; Aecon is the construction partner. The contract flows from the project the government revived in 2021 after cancelling it in 2019; no source states a contract value.

  Source: Major Hamilton LRT contract awarded — Metrolinx (May 4, 2026), Aecon alliance selected for the Hamilton Light Rail Transit Civil and Utilities Works project — Aecon (Apr 30, 2026), Hamilton LRT contract awarded to Aecon, Hatch, Egis and Systra — Canadian Consulting Engineer (May 2026)

• Hatch

  Design partner, with Egis, Systra, in the Aecon-led alliance selected by Metrolinx for the first major civil and utilities package on the revived Hamilton LRT. No source states a contract value.

  Source: Major Hamilton LRT contract awarded — Metrolinx (May 4, 2026), Aecon alliance selected for the Hamilton Light Rail Transit Civil and Utilities Works project — Aecon (Apr 30, 2026), Hamilton LRT contract awarded to Aecon, Hatch, Egis and Systra — Canadian Consulting Engineer (May 2026)

• Egis

  Design partner, with Hatch, Systra, in the Aecon-led alliance selected by Metrolinx for the first major civil and utilities package on the revived Hamilton LRT. No source states a contract value.

  Source: Major Hamilton LRT contract awarded — Metrolinx (May 4, 2026), Aecon alliance selected for the Hamilton Light Rail Transit Civil and Utilities Works project — Aecon (Apr 30, 2026), Hamilton LRT contract awarded to Aecon, Hatch, Egis and Systra — Canadian Consulting Engineer (May 2026)

• Systra

  Design partner, with Hatch, Egis, in the Aecon-led alliance selected by Metrolinx for the first major civil and utilities package on the revived Hamilton LRT. No source states a contract value.

  Source: Major Hamilton LRT contract awarded — Metrolinx (May 4, 2026), Aecon alliance selected for the Hamilton Light Rail Transit Civil and Utilities Works project — Aecon (Apr 30, 2026), Hamilton LRT contract awarded to Aecon, Hatch, Egis and Systra — Canadian Consulting Engineer (May 2026)

What happened · Feb 1, 2023

The planned exemption change was cancelled in October 2019. A larger exemption, $1,000 a month, took effect February 1, 2023.

In early October 2019, Minister Todd Smith's office said the previously announced earnings-exemption changes would not go ahead and that the programs 'will continue in their current form'. Under the existing rules, ODSP still cut support once earnings passed $200 a month. In the fall 2022 economic statement the government brought the change back in a larger form. Since February 1, 2023, a person with a disability on ODSP can earn $1,000 a month with no reduction. Above that, 25% of earnings are exempt, so support falls by 75 cents per dollar. That is the same 75% clawback the 2018 plan proposed, applied above a higher threshold. Non-disabled family members stay at a $200 exemption with a 50% clawback.

What happened · Jan 22, 2020

The government cancelled funding for the Université de l'Ontario français in its November 15, 2018 Fall Economic Statement, then signed a federal-provincial funding agreement in January 2020.

The November 15, 2018 Fall Economic Statement cancelled plans for the Université de l'Ontario français, citing the province's finances, and also folded the French Language Services Commissioner into the Ombudsman. After protests, the government partly backed down on November 23, 2018 but kept the university cancelled; Francophone Affairs Minister Caroline Mulroney said fiscal realities 'prohibit a new stand-alone French Language University right now'. Ontario and Canada signed a memorandum of understanding on September 7, 2019, then an eight-year $126 million funding agreement on January 22, 2020. Under that agreement Ottawa covers up to $63 million over the first five years, Ontario matches it only from 2023-24, and the first cohort was expected in fall 2021.

Who was hurt

• Université de l'Ontario français

  The November 15, 2018 Fall Economic Statement cancelled the planned French-language university, and the government declined on November 23, 2018 to restore its funding. The chair of its governing council said it already had a charter, a site and a budget and was on track to open in 2020. A federal-provincial funding agreement followed in January 2020, so the harm was a cancellation and delay of about 14 months.

  Source: Ford government backtracks on some cuts affecting Ontario francophones — CBC Toronto (Nov 23, 2018), Doug Ford élimine le projet de l'Université de l'Ontario français et le Commissariat aux services en français — Radio-Canada (Nov 2018), La présidente du conseil de gouvernance de l'Université de l'Ontario français mise sur une forte mobilisation — Radio-Canada (Nov 21, 2018)

What happened · Sep 21, 2023

The government removed about 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt in November 2022, then, after watchdog reports and two ministers' resignations, Ford apologized, said 'I broke that promise', and reversed the removals.

In November 2022 the government removed 2,995 hectares across 15 sites from the Greenbelt for housing, while adding about 3,804 hectares elsewhere. In August 2023 the Auditor General found the site selection favoured certain developers whose land stood to rise $8.3 billion in value, and the Integrity Commissioner found Housing Minister Steve Clark breached the Members' Integrity Act. On September 21, 2023 Ford said, 'I made a promise to you that I wouldn't touch the Greenbelt. I broke that promise,' and announced the removals would be reversed. Housing Minister Paul Calandra then tabled the Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023 (Bill 136, 43rd Parliament), which restored the boundaries, required future boundary changes to go through the legislature, and was enacted in December 2023.

Who benefited

• TACC (TACC Construction / TACC Developments, De Gasperis family)

  The Auditor General identifies TACC Development Inc. as the housing developer for the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve and two other removed sites (58.27% of the area removed) and found the removals 'resulted in significant financial gains for select landowners'. CBC reported De Gasperis was 'set to benefit from four of the 15 sites'. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), 2nd developer goes to court to avoid questions from Ontario auditor general in Greenbelt probe — CBC Toronto (Jul 13, 2023), Developers bought Hamilton Greenbelt property a month before Ontario revealed plans to open it up for housing — CBC Hamilton (Aug 2023)

• Fieldgate Developments

  The Auditor General identifies Fieldgate Homes as the housing developer of the 1,809-acre Book Road site in Hamilton (24.41% of the area removed); CBC Hamilton reports its president had been buying Book Road properties since 2016. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), Ontario ethics watchdog finds deals of 'deception' in removal of Hamilton, other lands from Greenbelt — CBC Hamilton (Aug 2023), Developers bought Hamilton Greenbelt property a month before Ontario revealed plans to open it up for housing — CBC Hamilton (Aug 2023)

• Rice Group

  The Auditor General identifies Green Lane Bathurst Limited Partnership as the housing developer of the 655-acre Bathurst-King site (8.84% of the area removed); CBC ties the partnership to Rice Group CEO Michael Rice and reports a company he controlled paid $80 million for five parcels there weeks before the removals were announced. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), 2nd developer goes to court to avoid questions from Ontario auditor general in Greenbelt probe — CBC Toronto (Jul 13, 2023), They recently bought Greenbelt land that was undevelopable; now the Ford government is poised to... — Toronto Star (Nov 2022)

• Flato Developments

  The Auditor General's site table identifies Flato Developments and Flato Upper Markham Village Inc. as developers of two small removed sites (about 23 acres); the Toronto Star described a Flato principal as a developer who 'stands to benefit' from the land swap. The removals were reversed by statute in December 2023 and the government said it would not compensate developers, so the gain described here was potential and was not realized.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023), Ontario developers who benefitted from Ford government decisions on Greenbelt and MZOs dined with the premier — Toronto Star (May 2023)

Who was hurt

• Minotar Holdings Inc.

  A 2022 settlement of Minotar's Greenbelt lawsuit would have removed 37 acres of its Markham land from the Greenbelt; the province voided the settlement in 2023 when it restored all 15 removed sites, and the Ontario Court of Appeal rejected the company's constitutional challenge to the restoring law on August 28, 2026. Minotar was also among the developers the Auditor General identified for a removed site. Global News reports it alleges it spent about $500,000 preparing to develop and is suing for $300 million; those claims have not been proven in court.

  Source: Ontario's top court rejects developer's constitutional challenge over Greenbelt law — CHCH / Canadian Press (Aug 28, 2026), Developer advances Greenbelt lawsuit, seeking $300M from Ontario — Global News (Dec 31, 2025)

• Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

  The Auditor General reports that the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation told her office the province's Duty to Consult was not fulfilled for the 2022 Greenbelt removals, and that as of June 30, 2023 the Housing Ministry had not yet met with them although the lands had already been removed. The Auditor General says the process left the decisions open to costly and lengthy court proceedings.

  Source: Special Report on Changes to the Greenbelt — Auditor General of Ontario (Aug 2023)