PC leader backtracks on opening Greenbelt to developers

Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford is backtracking on his proposal to open up Ontario’s Greenbelt to developers.

Ford has said he’d open the area to construction as a way to ease the housing crisis in the GTHA.

That led to huge public backlash.

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger called it a “terrible policy decision to pander to a few select developers.”

Ford walked back his comments Tuesday, promising to maintain the Greenbelt.

The people have spoken – we will maintain the Greenbelt in its entirety. pic.twitter.com/VcNDZdXtPZ

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 1, 2018

The Greenbelt is a 7,200-square-kilometre area bordering the Greater Golden Horseshoe region around Lake Ontario.

It was protected from urban development by legislation in 2005.