Doug Ford, Candidate for Ontario Premier, Would Open Toronto Greenbelt to Development

A prominent conservative with an infamous name is promoting single-family home development in the Toronto greenbelt as a way to release pressure on the Toronto housing market.

1 minute read

May 7, 2018, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Ontario, Canada

The Oak Ridges Moraine, shown here, marks one end of the Toronto Greenbelt. | NormanEinstein / Wikimedia Commons

Progressive Conservative party leader Doug Ford, the brother of the infamous former mayor of Toronto Rob Ford, is running for premier of Ontario, establishing himself as the antithesis of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and reminding observers of President Trump.

Ford was recorded speaking about his position on the Toronto Greenbelt at an event at the end of April, saying the following:

We will open up the Greenbelt, not all of it, we’re going to open a big chunk of it up and we’re going to start building and making it more affordable and putting more houses out there.

When asked later to clarify his comments, Ford said any land developed in the current Greenbelt would be replaced.

"The Greenbelt covers 325 km from the Oak Ridges Moraine to the Niagara River, and was protected in legislation by the Ontario Liberal government in 2005 as a natural buffer against urban sprawl," according to an article by Antonella Artuso.

Wendell Cox penned an opinion piece for the Financial Post expressing support for Ford's idea to develop single-family homes in the Greenbelt.

Monday, April 30, 2018 in Toronto Sun

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.