Promised Funds Still Missing for 5 Ontario Towns

Five communities that Premier Doug Ford’s government pledged to reimburse for expenses related to the Greenbelt scandal say they’re still waiting years later for the Progressive Conservatives to follow through on their commitment.

This has led opposition MPPs to criticize the PCs for not keeping their promises, arguing that the province is “downloading” the costs of this issue onto municipal taxpayers in those areas.

Documents obtained by through a Freedom of Information request reveal that as of September 2024, the province knew these cities and towns were owed roughly $850,000 due to lost staff time and legal and consulting fees.

The affected communities – Durham Region, Pickering, Grimsby, Guelph, and Wellington County – claim these costs arose from Ford’s decision in 2022 to allow development in parts of the Greenbelt and then his reversal of that unpopular choice almost a year later.

WATCH | Ford acknowledges Greenbelt land swap process was flawed:

Ford acknowledges Greenbelt land swap process was flawed

Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated his government would ‘re-evaluate’ a land swap involving protected lands around Toronto after two separate reviews pointed out flaws. However, he insisted development would proceed if the sites within the area known as the Greenbelt ‘stand on their own merit.’

The briefing note aimed at senior civil servants and former minister of municipal affairs Paul Calandra summarizes community requests while reiterating the minister’s promise from a year prior.

“In recognition of the costs incurred by municipalities arising out of this decision, the province will work with impacted municipalities to assist with related planning and staffing costs,” Calandra mentioned in an Oct. 2023 statement, adding he would review submitted expenses.

Ministry had not done ‘proactive outreach’ to solicit costs

A little over five months after making that statement, according to the briefing note’s conclusion, Calandra instructed civil servants. The exact details of this order remain unclear; however, it notes that “the ministry has not done any proactive outreach to municipalities to solicit cost submissions.”

“No decision has been made on reimbursement to these municipal costs,” states the briefing note.

The province did not respond when asked about reimbursement status or sought clarification regarding the minister’s directive for civil service actions.

Then-minister of municipal affairs and housing Paul Calandra holds a press conference before tabling legislation to return Greenbelt land to protected status, at Queen’s Park, in Toronto, on Oct. 16, 2023. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

The Greenbelt has faced controversy since 2022 when Ford’s government announced plans to exchange 15 parcels from this protected area for development purposes. Reports from both auditor general and integrity commissioner found that how these lands were chosen was rushed and biased toward certain developers.

The property owners whose lands were removed from protection could see their property values increase by $8.3 billion according to findings by the auditor general during her investigation into the Greenbelt issues.

After considerable public backlash in September 2023, Ford reversed his stance as RCMP continues investigating this matter.

5 communities confirm they were never reimbursed

<p A month later, Calandra stated municipalities would be compensated for expenses associated with reversing decisions about Greenbelt development. Recently confirming their lack of reimbursement are Durham Region, Pickering, Grimsby, Guelph, and Wellington County who all spoke with briefly.

At that time Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe wrote directly to Calandra advocating for reimbursement.
“While we appreciate the province’s reconsideration and commitment to preserving the integrity of the Greenbelt, we cannot overlook the significant amount of resources that have already been expended by our municipality in anticipation of housing development sometimes at direction from provincial authorities,” Ashe said back in 2023..

A spokesperson for Pickering stated this week that although they haven’t received reimbursement yet they have gotten funds aimed at helping create new housing.
“The City has received more than $15 million from Province through Building Faster Fund which it is very appreciative,” remarked Mark Guinto in a statement.Pickering is one of five Ontario communities that says it still has not received promised reimbursements from province over government’s Greenbelt reversal. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

The briefing note outlines each community’s reimbursement requests individually.
Pickering reported more than $360 thousand spent on direct legal consulting plus additional staff time.
Durham Region indicated incurred costs totalled $322 thousand classified as “direct and indirect expenses.”
Grimsby noted expenditures reached $82 thousand covering “staff and consulting time participating in provincial processes relating removals.”

Guelph alongside Wellington County mentioned expenses tied back reversals affecting their official planning decisions stemming provincial policies.
Guelph approximated its losses near $64 thousand due labor along with an engineering study.
Wellington County hadn’t provided specifics concerning its spending according briefing notes available currently.

The briefing also indicates Ottawa along Hamilton notified government regarding incurred charges but lacked detailed documentation submitted formally thereafter; Ottawa disclosed no formal claim existed while Hamilton didn’t respond inquiries directed towards them.

Failure To Reimburse Costs Is Like Municipal ‘Download’: Schreiner

Critics among opposition parties hammered administration promising repayments publicly without following through privately downplay commitments made originally.  Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner commented localities struggle dealing impacts years long downloads initiated earlier but now find themselves facing another shift burdens caused scandals onto taxpayers locally unfairly. You can’t push blame financial responsibilities connected ongoing issues away counties where residents often suffer resulting increases property taxes or cuts essential services because strapped budgets become harder maintain amidst shifts occurring continuously,” he declared emphatically during discussions held recently surrounding issue. 

NDP critic responsible monitoring municipal affairs Jeff Burch described government’s pledge insincere urging fulfillment obligations owed municipalities promptly focused attention crucial aspects delivering local services adequately noting every dollar matters significantly support budget constraints encountered everywhere across landscape nowadays-leading frustration building steadily amongst citizens left footing bills passed back forth between layers governance structures involved here too!.</strongBurch expressed strong feelings calling situation “kick teeth” smaller governing bodies struggling manage finances meet demands inhabitants expect whilst trying keep rates under control overall performance initiatives set priority establishing fairness across board including everyone being treated equally under law applicable cases alike!”

Liberal Interim Leader John Fraser highlighted small scale presented involved amounts-a mere rounding error concerning massive total figure operating budget ($244 Billion)-clearly indicating affordability exists readily capable fulfilling requirements given context demonstrates opportunity rectify matter quickly instead allowing prolonged uncertainties linger further worsening relationships built trust previously established terms honesty integrity displayed open discussion channels maintained consistently throughout timeframe elapsed since first announcements made public appearing otherwise questionable character motivations underlying remarks exchanged frequently lately!

Source link