Ontario’s Green Party leader wants to take the investigation into the removal of Greenbelt lands for development to a public forum.

Mike Schreiner is asking Premier Doug Ford to launch an independent public inquiry.

Schreiner says the scandal raises significant governance and public policy questions.

“I believe that what has happened with the Greenbelt scandal raises significant public policy questions around the scope of the Members Integrity Act, around lobbying rules, regulations, around political donations to political parties, around process, decision making and governance,” says Schreiner.

Schreiner says the only way to improve the level of transparency and accountability in government is through an inquiry so the public can see the evidence themselves and hear from those involved.

“Now is the time more than ever to restore accountability and trust in government for the people of Ontario. The Auditor General’s Report answered some questions, but it actually raised even more questions. And that’s why the Ontario Greens are calling for a full independent public inquiry into the Premier’s Greenbelt giveaway.”

The Auditor General’s report determined the process used to select which lands would be removed from the Greenbelt to be flawed and favouring certain developers.

The report also cited Housing Minister Steve Clark’s Chief of Staff as being responsible for making many of the recommendations accepted by cabinet.

He resigned his post earlier this week.

“If the Premier believes this is the end of the story, then he’s wrong. There is so much more that needs to be done, and that needs to be learned in order to hold this government accountable and to restore public trust. Right now, public trust in government is at an all-time low”