Steve Clark has announced his resignation as Ontario’s Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing following the release of the Integrity Commissioner’s report on the Greenbelt scandal.

In a statement released Monday morning, Clark said that addressing the housing crisis requires someone who “is not a distraction from the important work that needs to be done”.

As someone who has given my life to serving the people through our democratic institutions, it is my responsibility to adhere to the principles of Ministerial accountability. I will continue to serve my constituents as the MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes pic.twitter.com/5VvUMB43gi

— Steve Clark (@SteveClarkPC) September 4, 2023

However, Clark says he initially wished to stay in the role to make sure that “these mistakes don’t happen again.”

Despite his resignation in his role as Minister, Clark says he plans on continuing in his current role as MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousands Islands and Rideau Lakes.

Last week, the province’s Integrity Commissioner released a report on the Greenbelt controversy that stated Clerk violated two sections of the Members’ Integrity Act that governs politicians’ ethics, conflict of interest rules and insider information rules.

READ MORE: Ontario housing minister violated integrity act in Greenbelt land swap: commissioner

Commissioner J. David Wake found that the former Minister failed to oversee the land selection process, which led to the private interests of certain developers being furthered improperly.

“The evidence paints a picture of a process marked by misinterpretation, unnecessary hastiness and deception,” Wake wrote in his report.

“I have recommended to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that Minister Clark be reprimanded for his failure to comply with the Act.”

Last year, the province announced that 7,400 acres of land out of the Greenbelt would be re-zoned to build 50,000 homes and replaced with about 9,400 acres elsewhere.

WATCH MORE: Ontario housing minister apologizes but refuses to step down after Greenbelt report

It was a decision that led to a public outcry and a complaint filed with the integrity commissioner by Official Opposition and New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles.

Wake concluded that Clark’s chief of staff, Ryan Amato, was the “driving force” behind the lands that were selected to be developed.

While Amato resigned earlier this month, he continues to deny any wrongdoings.

Much of the findings of the Integrity Commissioner’s report echo those presented in the Auditor General’s report that preceded it.

Calls for Clark’s resignation were renewed last week following the release of the latest report as Wake detailed that process led by the then-Minister as marked by “unnecessary hastiness and deception.”

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