Ford denies involvement in Greenbelt scandal, says RCMP has not contacted him amid investigation
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is adamant he had nothing to do with the Greenbelt scandal and said he hasn’t been contacted by the RCMP, which is now investigating the reversed housing development plan.
“I had nothing to do with the changes in the Greenbelt, number one,” Ford said emphatically at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“Number two, the auditor general cleared us, cleared my office, and the integrity commissioner cleared me, and my office.”
Ford’s comments follow the release of thousands of pages of emails and documents obtained by Environmental Defence through freedom of information requests about the Greenbelt development plans and urban boundary expansions.
The advocacy group claims the internal government communications show Ontario political staff directed changes that would benefit certain developers.
Ontario auditor general Bonnie Lysyk arrived at a similar conclusion following a value-for-money investigation in August, which looked into the government’s plan to remove 15 areas from the protected Greenbelt to build 50,000 homes.
Lysyk also found the owners of the 15 sites chosen for development would see more than an $8.3 billion increase to the values of their properties.
In September, Ford reversed his controversial Greenbelt development plans.
Since then, the RCMP has announced it is investigating the Ontario government’s decision to open up parts of the Greenbelt for development, but Ford said he hasn’t been contacted.
“No, they haven’t reached out to me,” Ford said when asked if he had been called in for an interview.
The RMCP’s Ontario-based Sensitive and International Investigations Unit has taken on the probe.
The unit investigates “high risk matters that cause significant threats to Canada's political, economic and social integrity of its institutions across Canada and internationally,” according to the RCMP website.
Ontario Provincial Police referred the file to the federal investigative body back in August to avoid “any perceived conflict of interest.”
With files from CTV News Toronto’s Katherine DeClerq
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
In Pictures
In Pictures Jake Paul beats 58-year-old Mike Tyson as the hits don't match the hype
The boos from a crowd wanting more action were growing again when Jake Paul dropped his gloves before the final bell, and bowed toward 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Montreal city councillors table motion to declare state of emergency on homelessness
A pair of independent Montreal city councillors have tabled a motion to get the city to declare a state of emergency on homelessness next week.
Canadians support bike infrastructure, just not the road: study
A new Nanos Research study reveals that a majority of Canadians support spending tax dollars on building bicycle infrastructure off the road, but that bike lanes on roads worsen traffic flow.
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
U.S. health officials report first case of new form of mpox in a traveler
Health officials said Saturday they have confirmed the first U.S. case of a new form of mpox that was first seen in eastern Congo.
Former soldier 'Canadian Dave' taken by the Taliban: sources
David Lavery, a former Canadian Forces soldier who helped approximately 100 people flee Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, has been 'picked up' by the Taliban this week, according to multiple sources who spoke to CTV National News on the condition of anonymity.
Trudeau talking trade with South American leaders at APEC in Peru, will address media
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with South American leaders in Peru today, in his second day at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Jake Paul believes he can fight for a title, Mike Tyson won't say he's finished at 58
Jake Paul believes he can fight for a championship belt within two years.
Betty White Forever: New stamp will honor the much-beloved 'Golden Girls' actor
The United States Postal Service might have found a way to unite a nation bitterly divided after this month's election: It's releasing a Betty White stamp.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Montreal city councillors table motion to declare state of emergency on homelessness
A pair of independent Montreal city councillors have tabled a motion to get the city to declare a state of emergency on homelessness next week.
-
Book fair highlights Quebec's thriving English writing culture
Despite English being a linguistic minority in the province, the consensus among the large crowd at the Quebec Writers’ Federation (QWF) annual gala was that English writing is still a vibrant part of Quebec culture.
-
Fire rips through Lac Carling Hotel in the Laurentians overnight
A major fire ravaged the Lac Carling Hotel in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge in the Laurentians, Que., overnight Saturday.
Ottawa
-
SIU investigating police-involved shooting in Orleans: 'You see this on TV'
Ontario's police watchdog is investigating after a man was shot and injured by police after he allegedly injured multiple people with a weapon in Ottawa's east end Friday night.
-
Glen Road rollover in eastern Ontario left one dead, injured another: OPP
A single-vehicle rollover Friday afternoon left one person dead, another injured and closed Glen Road in eastern Ontario for approximately eight hours, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
-
Single-vehicle crash on Highway 417 in Ottawa leaves driver,65, dead
An Ottawa driver has died following a single-vehicle crash on Highway 417 Friday afternoon, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Northern Ontario
-
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
-
Teacher charged with sex assault of a minor at a school in northern Ont.
A 72-year-old teacher from Blind River has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault involving two victims under the age of 16.
-
Timmins, Ont., rock band sets new world record Friday
The Timmins rock band Miners and Sons have made history. The group performed a rock concert in the world’s deepest base metal mine below sea level, breaking a Guinness World Record.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus parade returns for another year
Kids and the young-at-heart lined Weber Street to catch a glimpse at old saint nick as the Lions Club of Kitchener held it’s annual Santa Claus Parade Saturday morning.
-
Former Waterloo, Ont. school principal pleads guilty to luring, sending sexually explicit material
A former elementary school principal in Waterloo, Ont. has pleaded guilty to charges that include luring and transmitting sexually explicit material to someone believed to be under the age of 16.
-
Cold case that puzzled Toronto-area police for nearly half a century cracked. Here's how they did it
For nearly 45 years, the identity of the human remains found along a rural road north of Toronto remained a mystery. It was on July 16, 1980, when a Markham, Ont. resident made the discovery near a wooded area on Eleventh Concession, between 14th and Steeles avenues. Unbeknownst to them, the remains belonged to William Joseph Pennell, a convict who had escaped a Kingston prison a month earlier.
London
-
LTC secures $50 million in funding to expand services
London Transit Commission has received $5.1 million per year, for the next 10 years from the Canada Public Transit Fund, supporting long-term capital transit needs in London.
-
Easton Cowan holds point streak to 50 games, London Knights secure victory over Sting
Easton Cowan was the star of the ice last night, bringing home two goals to secure the London Knights victory over the Sarnia Sting.
-
Using the web to support people through their diabetes diagnosis
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and St. Joseph’s Healthcare is shining a light on people that are finding a community of support in digital spaces.
Windsor
-
Essex OPP on the scene of Belle River investigation
Essex OPP is on the scene of an investigation in the area of 4th Street and Railway Avenue in Belle River this afternoon.
-
Sudbury Wolves take home victory against the Windsor Spitfires
Quentin Musty scored twice as the Wolves dumped the Spitfires in OHL action last night.
-
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates 'It's a bad look': Calls grow to restrict high-tech car theft devices in wake of W5 investigation
There are new calls to crack down on the sale of high-tech devices that can be used to clone key fobs and steal cars, in the wake of a W5 investigation that found the devices are falling into the hands of thieves.
Barrie
-
Man suffers with signs of hypothermia after water rescue
One person was left with signs of hypothermia after being rescued from Kempenfelt Bay in the early hours of the morning.
-
‘Violent’ incidents under investigation
Police in Barrie are investigating what is being described as a series of ‘violent’ incidents that occurred early Saturday morning.
-
Police search for theft suspects
Nottawasaga OPP are searching for two suspects who were involved in an alleged theft at a store in Alliston this week.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg police release photos of suspect in machete attack
Winnipeg police are asking the public to help identify a suspect involved in a machete attack last month.
-
'A little piece of history': Winnipeg homeowner finds 80-year-old letters hidden in walls
When George Arcioni began renovating his kitchen last summer, he didn’t expect to find a stack of letters hidden in the wall behind his oven.
-
LIVE AT 5 PM
LIVE AT 5 PM Santa Claus Parade to take over downtown Winnipeg today
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade returns today at 5 p.m. and be streamed live on CTV News Winnipeg.ca.
Atlantic
-
Canada Post strike: Maritime provinces working to ensure vital cheques arrive
All three Maritime provinces are working on alternatives to ensure residents receive vital mail, like government cheques, after Canada Post workers hit the picket lines Friday morning.
-
Sydney, N.S., welcomes shoppers looking for unique gifts to Christmas Festival of Crafts
The Home Crafters of Cape Breton is attracting shoppers searching for unique gifts to Centre 200 in Sydney, N.S., from Nov. 15 to 17 for the 37th annual Christmas Festival of Crafts.
-
String of three murders in Nova Scotia raises alarm about intimate partner violence
Groups working to help victims of domestic violence in Nova Scotia say a recent string of murders of women provides just a glimpse of the extent of intimate partner violence in the province, and they say more action is needed to protect victims.
N.L.
-
English soccer game did not deliver such a big bounce for N.L. after all: province
Newfoundland and Labrador's return on investment for sponsoring a professional English soccer team was not quite as rosy as previously claimed.
-
Newfoundland man electrocuted by downed power line, two women injured
Police in Newfoundland say a man was electrocuted Saturday by a downed power wire about 10 kilometres north of St. John's, N.L.
-
What is 'recitation?' Newfoundland tradition-keeper returns to stage from 100-day cancer-treatment isolation
On Thursday morning, Dave Penny officially ended a suggested hundred-day isolation period that followed his diagnosis and stem cell treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On Thursday night, Penny returned to a stage at a downtown St. John's bar, regaling a small crowd with songs and stories with a distinctive Newfoundland flair.
Edmonton
-
'We're not the bad boys': Charity disputes claims made by 101-year-old widow in $40M will dispute
Centenarian Mary McEachern says she knew what her husband wanted when he died. The problem is, his will says otherwise.
-
Woman charged in drowning of 5-year-old west of Edmonton
An Edmonton woman was charged in the drowning of a five-year-old girl last month.
-
'Keep that legacy going': Siblings revive one of Alberta's oldest general stores
It's a brisk, bright autumn morning when Julie-Ann McNeilly comes barrelling down a dirt road, steps out of her van and dives deep into the history of Johnny's Store.
Calgary
-
Zoolights returns to Wilder Institute-Calgary Zoo for holiday run
A sparkling spectacle is back at the Wilder Institute-Calgary Zoo.
-
'Keep that legacy going': Siblings revive one of Alberta's oldest general stores
It's a brisk, bright autumn morning when Julie-Ann McNeilly comes barrelling down a dirt road, steps out of her van and dives deep into the history of Johnny's Store.
-
Fifth person charged in Tara Miller's death
Alberta RCMP have charged a fifth person in the death of Calgarian Tara Miller.
Regina
-
Snowfall warning in place for parts of southern Sask.
Several areas in southeast Saskatchewan are under a snowfall warning on Saturday.
-
Local Canada Post workers picket for 'fair contract' as part of nationwide strike
Thousands of Canada Post workers, including those in Saskatchewan, have gone on strike ahead of the busy Christmas season.
-
These are the 8 former Riders playing for the Grey Cup in 2024
The Saskatchewan Roughriders may have come up short of the Grey Cup, but the season was a substantial improvement on two fronts: the team made the playoffs, and the number of former Riders in the championship was down from 2023.
Saskatoon
-
Sudden death investigation underway in Saskatoon
Saskatoon police are investigating a sudden death in the 1300 block of 8th Street East.
-
Several collisions reported following freezing rain in Saskatoon
Saskatoon police responded to several collisions involving multiple vehicles Saturday morning following freezing rain and icy road conditions in Saskatoon.
-
Saskatchewan tire recycler suing province for $10M over multiple year contract dispute
A Saskatoon rubber manufacturer is taking the province to court, claiming millions of dollars in damages for breach of a contract as part of a dispute that's lasted more than two years.
Vancouver
-
Cleanup underway after rockfall closes Highway 7 west of Hope, B.C.
A rockfall has closed a stretch of Highway 7 in British Columbia's Fraser Valley.
-
Video shows altercation between security guards, First Nations teen at B.C. mall
Video circulating on social media shows several security guards at a Surrey, B.C., mall physically pinning a teenage girl to the ground as she cries out in distress.
-
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates 'It's a bad look': Calls grow to restrict high-tech car theft devices in wake of W5 investigation
There are new calls to crack down on the sale of high-tech devices that can be used to clone key fobs and steal cars, in the wake of a W5 investigation that found the devices are falling into the hands of thieves.
Vancouver Island
-
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
-
Insurance bureau estimates $110 million in damages from October storms in B.C.
Intense flooding that hammered British Columbia's coast last month has led to more than $110 million in insured damage claims.
-
Nanaimo nurse suspended for 'unauthorized access of patient records,' college says
A Nanaimo nurse has agreed to a seven-day suspension for accessing patient records without authorization.
