New housing minister says more Greenbelt land could be opened to development

Ontario’s new Housing Minister addressed questions for the first time on Wednesday and he says that a review of the Greenbelt lands could lead to recommending more parcels be removed from protected sites.

This review comes after reports from two provincial watchdogs that found previous Tory staffers favoured developers. And there are many critics advocating for the preservation of these lands.

There is significant opposition to the idea of removing Greenbelt lands in Hamilton. The City of Hamilton says they’ll consider feedback Wednesday night when they engage with provincial facilitators.

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Paul Calandra says while he’ll wait to see how the ministry will proceed with the review, he will introduce stricter building policies on developers.

READ MORE: A chronology of key events following Ontario’s decision to develop Greenbelt lands

Calandra says that the review will look at the entirety of the Greenbelt, potentially adding or removing lands, and that it will be a fair and open process. He also says that housing ministry officials will will be the ones to look into protected lands and the hundreds of development applications.

However, Calandra wouldn’t assume what the parameters of the review will entail, and expects provincial adjudicators to have their work completed by the end of the year.

This follows a cabinet shuffle, the resignation of former Minister Steven Clark, and two reports that found his chief of staff favouring certain developers when selecting which lands would come out of the Greenbelt.

Opposition leaders have criticized the review, calling it troubling and a waste of time. They argue that developing luxury properties on the Greenbelt will not address the housing and affordability crises.

WATCH: Ontario Housing Minister Paul Calandra to hold press conference at 10 a.m.

Following a provincial review, Calandra says more housing policy changes are coming, including zoning order revisions, increasing a speculation tax and implementing a “use it lose it” rule for approved developers who aren’t building homes.

The Office of the Attorney General tells CHCH News — given major concerns of lobbying practices in Ontario Premier Doug Ford instructed the attorney general to prepare recommendations for stricter governance on lobbyists which could include higher penalties and possible jail time.

Regarding Greenbelt lands in the area, an open meeting is scheduled in Ancaster on Wednesday night.

City staff will present information, and there will be a community Q&A session starting at 7 p.m.