Housing Minister Clark’s Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Questions Into Greenbelt Development Access

The resignation of Ryan Amato, Chief of Staff to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark, has further fueled the Greenbelt controversy in Ontario.

Amato’s departure comes on the heels of a recent report from the auditor general that exposed a significant connection between developers and the protected Greenbelt’s land allocation.

The report unveiled, among other things, that developers with ties to Amato were able to secure a staggering 92 percent of the land that had been removed from the Greenbelt’s protection. The findings have ignited a political firestorm, with Opposition leaders voicing skepticism about the extent of the government’s involvement.

Both Premier Doug Ford and Minister Steve Clark, who is also MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands & Rideau Lakes , have maintained that they were unaware of Amato’s control over the process. However, opposition politicians are challenging that position.

Marit Stiles, Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), has criticized Amato’s resignation as merely the “bare minimum of accountability.” Stiles contends that Minister Clark should also step down to assume responsibility for the controversy.

The controversy deepened as details emerged from the Greenbelt report, shedding light on Amato’s involvement in selecting building sites within the protected Greenbelt area. The investigation into Amato’s role was initiated following the Premier’s Office’s request, prompted by concerns highlighted by the auditor general’s report.

The auditor general’s findings underscored issues of favoritism, a lack of transparency, and disregard for environmental and financial considerations. Out of 15 proposed building sites, Amato’s influence was notably present in 14 selections. Despite the damning report, Minister Clark remains steadfast in his support for his team and has indicated no intention of resigning.

As the political discourse intensifies and public scrutiny persists, Ontario’s political landscape remains in flux, with the controversies surrounding the Greenbelt continuing to raise questions about accountability and transparency in government operations.