NDP reveals Ford government is handing out more MZOs to benefit PC party donors and insiders

Six MZOs signed behind closed doors, three of which benefit PC donor and insider Remtullah

QUEEN’S PARK – The Ford government has secretly, quietly signed six new Minister’s Zoning Orders behind closed doors, and the NDP has learned that three of them benefit Ford insider and donor Shakir Rehmatullah and his company, Flato.

“Why is this government using MZOs to bulldoze wetlands and greenspaces to let its buddies make more money?,” asked NDP Finance critic Catherine Fife during question period at the Ontario legislature Tuesday. “Big donors like Flato Development’s owner are getting priority status, and the people of Ontario and our precious environment are paying the price.”

Of the new six MZOs, at least three specifically to benefit Flato Developments, whose owner and president is Rehmatullah. Flato appears to also own a numbered company which has specifically applied to have land sliced out of the Greenbelt.

Two of the three MZOs benefitting Flato are in Markham, and one is in New Tecumseth. Council staff in Markham opposed the two MZOs just a couple weeks ago. In New Tecumseth, the mayor said he’s had pressure put on council by the Ford government to endorse their MZOs.

“Municipalities and local leaders are the closest to local environmental concerns as well as the concerns of people and families that live in the community. They’re being disrespected, bypassed or even coerced by the Ford government,” said Jeff Burch, NDP Municipal Affairs critic.

“Ontarians deserve an explanation for why Doug Ford’s friends and political backers are continuing to get special favours with these MZOs, while everyday working families are paying the price, having the environment around them destroyed.”