Ontario homes to not be built on floodplains, Ford says after fed warning

Premier Doug Ford says Ontario has no plans to allow houses to be built on floodplains after a warning from the federal environment minister.

Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says he is concerned about the Conservative government’s plan to remove land from 15 different areas of the protected Greenbelt so that 50,000 homes can be built.

Ford says he’s encouraging Guilbeault to “do his research” and adds that it’s the builders who are responsible to ensure they protect developments on floodplains.

In 2005, the Greenbelt was created to protect agricultural and environmentally sensitive areas in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area from development.

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Ford previously promised he would not touch Greenbelt, but his government currently says the plan to open it up for development will assist with the goal of constructing 1.5 million homes within 10 years.

After media reports suggested that some developers who are Progressive Conservative donors could benefit from the plan moving forward, Ford and his housing minister have said the Ontario government did not tip off developers ahead of announcing changes to the Greenbelt.

Ontario’s auditor general and integrity commissioner have been called in to investigate the Greenbelt plan.

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