RCMP starts investigation into greenbelt land case

The RCMP announced Tuesday that they have opened a criminal investigation into Ontario Premier Doug Ford's plan to open up greenbelt land for development.

An RCMP spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday that the RCMP O Division's Sensitive and International Investigations Unit has opened an investigation into allegations related to the decision to open up part of the Greenbelt to development following a referral from the Ontario Provincial Police.

He said that the investigation will be fair so that Canadians will know the real truth.

An RCMP spokesperson said no further information will be released on the matter, as the investigation has begun and an update will be provided as soon as the outcome is reached.

It is worth noting that the Ontario government has changed its direction in the controversial Greenbelt case and backed away from the decision to open the protected land for construction.

Premier Doug Ford announced that he had promised the people that the greenbelt would not be touched, but he could not keep that promise, for which he apologized to the people of the province.

Last year the state government took 7,400 acres of greenbelt land to build 50,000 homes, citing a housing crisis, but reports by the Auditor General and Integrity Commissioner found that the land selection process was rushed and some developers were favored.