One of the largest factors standing in the way of Ontario being able to speed up critical infrastructure projects is a sense of public distrust fostered by the government's own history with the Greenbelt, polling commissioned by the government suggests.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks during a press conference in Niagara Falls, Ont., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tara WaltonOne of the largest factors standing in the way of Ontario being able to speed up critical infrastructure projects is a sense of public distrust fostered by the government's own history with the Greenbelt, polling commissioned by the government suggests.
The integrity commissioner found that then-Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark, who resigned after the report was released, violated ethics rules, but said that he had no evidence developers were tipped off about the government's plans for Greenbelt removals. The auditor general found that the property owners stood to see their land value rise by $8.3 billion
"The substantial barrier to implementing any mechanism for fast tracking infrastructure projects lies in the current sense of distrust with the government," Leger wrote in the report on their findings, which the government recently tabled with the legislature. "People don't trust this government to make investments, especially in infrastructure, that put people first instead of the interests of wealthy, well-connected insiders," he said.
"Many voiced frustration and opposition to the government’s plans to redevelop Ontario Place," Leger wrote in its report. Ministerial Zoning Orders, which allow the province to override municipal decisions, have been a key way to speed up some projects and also a point of contention among Ford's critics. While about half of the survey respondents supported the use of MZOs, with 36 per cent opposed, almost none of the focus group members did.
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