Markham-Stouffville MPP Paul Calandra has been named Ontario’s new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, leaving his previous position as Minister of Long Term Care.
Calandra assumed the new role following former Minister Steve Clark’s resignation stemming from the Ontario government’s controversial moves to open Greenbelt parcels for development.
Premier Doug Ford praised Calandra for his work as Minister of Long Term Care at a press conference today, stating he has “every confidence that Minister Calandra will deliver.”
Ford has already tasked Calandra with a considerable undertaking, announcing today that the Ontario government will begin reviewing approximately 700 Greenbelt parcels for future development.
When the Greenbelt was first introduced, boundary reviews were legislated every ten years. The next review was due in 2025.
Suggesting each site will have to “stand on their own merit,” Ford will leave final decisions over land swap approvals in Calandra’s hands.
Ontario’s Premier did not provide details on what those merits may be or how long the review will take, saying they are putting the process together now.
“Minister Calandra will spend coming days and weeks working with officials to design and launch this review,” Ford said.
Opposition members have already sounded alarms over the review: Green Party leader Mike Schreiner says he believes Premier Ford has declared “open season” on the Greenbelt, while NDP leader Marit Stiles called it “a sham.”
Minister Calandra did not release a statement or respond to our request for comment by time of publishing.
