Dear Friend,
This week has been a whirlwind of breaking news about the Auditor General's report on the Greenbelt. I have given you a run down of report in this newsletter, as well as summer community events here in Toronto Centre. I look forward to sharing them here with you!
The Auditor General’s Scathing Report on Changes to the Greenbelt
|
This week, the Auditor General (AG) confirmed everything that the Leader of the Ontario NDP, Marit Stiles, has been saying — Doug Ford’s Bill 23 is not about building more housing; it is about making developers richer. This policy shift explicitly involved the release of protected Greenbelt land, which was acquired just last year by a select few of Ford’s acquaintances for thirty times less than its present-day appraisal. Surprise, surprise. The value of their initial $240 million investment has surged exponentially to a potential earning of $8.3 billion.
Make no mistake, this is what government corruption looks like under Doug Ford. Ontarians deserve better than a leader who cares more about his wealth and privilege. You can read the report here, or watch my video marking the report highlights here. Below, I’ve also outlined some notable takeaways.
1. Auditor General confirms Ford’s Greenbelt changes were unnecessary to achieve the government’s housing target. This matters because the AG systematically obliterates Ford’s lie that he must rip up the Greenbelt to build 1.5 million homes over ten years. “Chief Planners in the regions of Durham, Hamilton, and York—which are home to all 15 land sites removed from the Greenbelt—told (the AG) that Greenbelt land was not needed to meet the current housing targets assigned to them by the Housing Ministry.”
2. Ford's political staff guided the Greenbelt policy. The AG notes that in June of 2022, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, received a mandate letter to “codify processes,” which we now know took protected land out of the Greenbelt, opening it up for development. This now-available land, approximately 92% of the acreage, came from five distinct areas, all of which were “recommended” by developers who had “direct access” to Minister Clark’s Chief of Staff. It’s not typical for political staffers to manage complex planning processes. Professional planners subject matter experts and local communities are generally involved in land-use planning studies but they are never unilaterally led or dictated by top-level political staff.
3. Under Ford’s government developers had undue influence. Ultimately 14 of the 15 sites selected for removal were given to the Greenbelt Project Team for review by the Housing Minister’s political staff. Only one site assessed for removal was provided by the Greenbelt Project Team. Owners of 15 sites removed could see an increase in land value of $8.3 billion. It shows that Ford’s wealthy insider friends will profit hugely from this shady and politically motivated process.
4. Environmental factors, farmland protect, and existing municipal planning were all sidelined in the process. This suggests that the process was forced to fit a predetermined outcome and that at no point did the process prioritize the government’s stated objective — housing. Environmental agriculture expertise was not monitored or incorporated, and cities and their political staff were ignored.
The Conservatives Greenbelt Grab has nothing to do with building affordable places to live and everything to do with making a select few well-connected insiders even richer. Marit Stiles, myself, and the entire Ontario NDP team will continue to demand the immediate removal of Minister Steve Clark from Cabinet. Our demands including having Ford recall the Legislature to return all lands to the Greenbelt and cancel his nefarious deals with developers.
This is only the beginning. I will continue to notify you as more is unveiled by the Integrity Commissioner's investigation. Take action by signing my petition to amend Bill 23, stop all plans to further remove protected land from the Greenbelt and protect existing farmland in the province by passing the Ontario NDP’s Protecting Agricultural Land Act.
Ontario Launching Credit & Debit Payment on TTC
|
Starting this Tuesday August 15th, the TTC and transit systems across Ontario are launching credit and debit payments to pay for fares. In addition to the TTC, riders can also use credit or debit to pay fares on GO Transit, UP Express, Brampton Transit, Burlington Transit, Durham Region Transit, Hamilton Street Railway, MiWay (in Mississauga), Oakville Transit and York Region Transit. Click this article link here for more information.
Help the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre Keep Music Alive!
|
The Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre has provided affordable music lessons to at-risk children from low-income families in Toronto for more than four decades.
Because of a lack of funding, they are hosting a fundraiser through GoFundMe. To keep their doors open, they are trying to reach their goal of $25,000. If you can, please donate or spread the word by sharing this fundraiser with your friends and family.
The Downtown East's Wellness Hub |
If you need to speak with a doctor or a nurse practitioner about services like blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, cancer screenings, mental health assessments, or access to primary care, check out the Wellness Hub. Locations are at the Corner and the Regent Park Community Health Centre. These are by appointment only, so please call (416) 347-0943 for bookings. *Bring OHIP/IFH if possible.
Action YMCA, YCAN Program
|
The YMCA Community Action Network (YCAN) is an innovative national program. Its purpose is to engage leaders across Canada to address community needs through service projects!
If you are between the ages of 13-30, a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or someone who has been granted refugee status in Canada and is passionate about learning new skills and making a difference in your community, consider signing up here. The first information session will be held on the 18th floor of 365 Bloor St E at 5 PM on August 14.
SummerSeries in Trillium Park
|
SummerSeries in Trillium Park has an exciting season of programming, offering the perfect setting to enjoy music, arts, wellness, and nature.
Starting July 1 until late September, there will be local artists, Ontario-based, and international artists for a variety of events, including live musical performances and outdoor yoga classes in Trillium Park on Toronto’s waterfront. All events are free and open to all ages!
City Hall Live
|
This summer, there is no shortage of free and fun events in the city. City Hall Live, is this August with music and events featuring local musicians, grassroots music organizations, venues and presenters. You can find out about all of the concerts coming up here.
Emancipation Month Event this Sunday!
|
This upcoming Sunday, August 13 from 3 PM to 7PM, the Afro-Indigenous Food Rights Project will be hosting an Emancipation Benefit Concert. Join us for a great event, as there will be live music and delicious food at 200 Wellesley Street East by the pool behind the building.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre