Steve Clark has been found in violation of the province’s Members Integrity Act for the Greenbelt land swap.
The MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes who also serves as Ontario’s Housing Minister has been at the centre of the controversy revolving around the deal that saw part of the environmentally protected land sold to developers to build houses.
Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake found Clark violated two sections of the Act that provincial politicians must follow. Wake has found Clark failed to oversee the land selection process, which saw the private interest of some developers furthered improperly with his Chief of Staff the person that drove the selection of land to be developed. And while the 166-page report clearly indicates Ryan Amato drove the selection of land it was ultimately Clark’s responsibility to oversee his staff. Amato has since resigned.
Wake says Clark misinterpreted a mandate letter about the removal of land from the Greenbelt which resulted in rushing the timeline, withdrawing from overseeing the decision-making process and did not question his staff’s choices before taking the proposal to cabinet. As a result, Wake found Clark violated two parts of the Act covering conflict of interest and the use of insider information.
The integrity commissioner says Clark should be reprimanded. The opposition parties have been calling for Clark’s resignation.
Clark and Premier Doug Ford have denied any wrongdoing.
