13.95°C Vancouver

Aug 31, 2023 6:11 PM - Connect News

Greenbelt Controversy: Housing minister Clark apologetic; refuses to resign

Share On

The opposition has been constantly demanding the resignation of Ontario's Housing Minister Steve Clarke.

In the meantime, Minister Clark has refused to resign while issuing the latest statement in Toronto.

In fact, on August 9, a new report by the Auditor General of Ontario revealed how thousands of hectares of greenbelt land was opened for housing development.

A 95-page report released by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk reviewed how the state government chose to exclude 810,000 hectares of farmland, forest and wetlands from Niagara Falls to Peterborough from the Greenbelt.

Ontario's Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake's report states that the Housing Minister failed to properly oversee the process of selecting protected greenbelt land for housing development, allowing the interests of some private developers to influence the project.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Thursday reiterated his pledge to build more homes in the province and insisted Housing Minister Steve Clark's continued role in his government.

Ford said Housing Minister Steve Clarke would remain part of the team as the government tries to meet its pledge to build 1.5 million homes over 10 years.

Latest news

vancouver-council-votes-to-oppose-planned-overdose-prevention-site-downtown
BCMay 06, 2026

Vancouver council votes to oppose planned overdose prevention site downtown

Vancouver city council has voted to oppose a planned overdose prevention site in the city’s downtown, backing an urgent motion from Mayor Ken Sim following a recent announcement by the regional health authority. Council approved the motion Tuesday along party lines, with all seven councillors from Sim’s ABC party voting in favour and four opposing. The motion directs the city to challenge the site planned for 900 Helmcken St., which Vancouver Coastal Health says it intends to open in June. Coun. Peter Meiszner told council the city was notified of the location only last week, “despite ma
federal-government-signals-potential-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Federal government signals potential social media ban for children under 16

Canada’s federal government is considering restricting social media access for children under the age of 16 as part of proposed online harms legislation, Immigration and Identity Minister Marc Miller told a parliamentary committee Tuesday. Appearing before the House of Commons heritage committee, Miller said the government is “seriously considering” age-based limits in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth. According to Miller, the proposal would be included in the forthcoming Online Harms bill. Miller told the committee that evidence on the psychological
AlbertaMay 06, 2026

Criminal defence lawyer charged with child exploitation offences; Calgary police seek additional victims

A Calgary criminal defence lawyer is facing multiple child sexual exploitation-related charges, and police say they are seeking to identify additional potential victims. According to a Calgary Police Service news release, 46-year-old Jordan Bonner was arrested Thursday. Investigators executed search warrants at a residence and a law office in Calgary in connection with the case. Police allege Bonner engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with multiple youths and shared child sexual exploitation material. The allegations have not been tested in court. Authorities say the complainants
canadian-privacy-commissioners-flag-concerns-over-openai-data-practices-in-joint-probe
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Canadian privacy commissioners flag concerns over OpenAI data practices in joint probe

Canada’s federal and provincial privacy commissioners have released a joint investigation report examining how OpenAI collected and used personal information to train its ChatGPT system, raising concerns about consent and transparency. According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and counterparts in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, the company gathered more personal data than necessary during early development stages, in some cases without users’ knowledge or meaningful consent. The report states that this information could include sensitive details such as health dat
surrey-mayor-raises-concerns-after-daytime-shooting-calls-for-police-discussions
BCMay 06, 2026

Surrey mayor raises concerns after daytime shooting, calls for police discussions

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says recent incidents in the city require urgent attention, following a daytime shooting earlier this week that remains unsolved. According to statements attributed to the mayor, Locke said the situation “cannot continue” and must be addressed with seriousness by local authorities. The comments come after a shooting reported Monday afternoon near 130 Street and 76 Avenue, where police say gunfire occurred at a business complex. No arrests have been announced in connection with the incident as of publication time, according to available police information. Locke sa

Related News