Five communities in Ontario that were promised reimbursement by Premier Doug Ford’s administration following the Greenbelt controversy have yet to receive the funds, according to documents obtained by CBC News. The municipalities, including Durham Region, Pickering, Grimsby, Guelph, and Wellington County, claim they are owed approximately $850,000 for expenses related to lost staff time and legal and consulting fees stemming from Ford’s initial decision to allow development in the Greenbelt in 2022, which was later reversed.

Despite a commitment made by then-Minister of Municipal Affairs Paul Calandra in October 2023 to assist with planning and staffing costs incurred by the municipalities, the province has not fulfilled its promise. An internal briefing note revealed that the ministry had not actively sought cost submissions from the affected communities and no decision had been made regarding reimbursement.

The Greenbelt issue, which began in 2022 with the announcement of land swaps for development, has been marred by controversy and criticism. Following public outcry, Ford reversed the decision in September 2023, while ongoing investigations by the RCMP continue to probe the matter.

Municipalities such as Durham Region, Pickering, Grimsby, Guelph, and Wellington County have confirmed that they have not been reimbursed for their costs. In a statement, Pickering acknowledged receiving funds for housing development but stated that the promised reimbursements have not been provided. The communities detailed significant expenses incurred due to the Greenbelt policy changes, including legal and consulting fees, staff time, and plan reversals.

Opposition leaders, including Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and NDP municipal affairs critic Jeff Burch, criticized the government for failing to fulfill its commitment to the communities. Schreiner likened the lack of reimbursement to a burden on local taxpayers, while Burch called the government’s actions disingenuous and urged them to honor their promise. Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser emphasized the importance of fulfilling the commitment, noting that the amount owed is minuscule compared to the provincial budget.

The delay in reimbursing municipalities for Greenbelt-related expenses has sparked further debate over accountability and financial responsibility within the provincial government.