A Developer's Democracy

With the passing of Bill 23 by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, it is becoming even more clear to voters that developers run the Province. Their sphere of influence goes beyond the carving up of the Greenbelt.

This episode uses Ontario examples to show how detrimental the relationship between ultra wealthy developers and politicians is to the wellbeing of our communities.

It isn't just campaign donations, developers are wining and dining politicians, founding and funding right-wing third party 'advertisers' and clearly writing policies that cater to their every need.

Resources linked to the show:

• Who Control's Toronto - ACORD Report - “In the 2018 Toronto Municipal Election, 34% of all campaign contributions came from people with ties to the development industry” Doesn’t think any other industry is as heavily invested in municipal politics Toronto 9 out of 9 Planning and Housing Committee took funds (25%) Pasternack 59% of the funds raised
• Follow the Money Report - Horizon Ottawa - Nearly half of donations came from folks tied to developers Chair of planning Committee had 96% raised this way Results in bylaws and other things under the control of the local governments to be created/changed to suit developer needs - and contrary to public good. Already normalized rezoning and bylaw amendments. Now they don’t even need to do that - leaving local officials unable to push back on critical items (affordable housing, green initiatives) Bill 68 (banned union/corporate donations) BUT: raised individual limits and allowed for 3rd Party Contributions (see ONTARIO PROUD)
• Ontario Proud's Election Advertising Was Mostly Funded By Developers - Sold as some grassroots campaign to defend Ontario values - really just a few very wealthy donors (87%) “Mattamy Homes, at $100,000; anti-union contractors association Merit Ontario, at $50,000; Nashville Developments, also at $50,000; Opportunities Asia Ltd. at $30,000; and Shiplake Properties Limited at $25,000. Seventeen other companies, mostly related to housing development, donated $10,000 apiece.” Ontario Proud: Takes credit for Doug Ford’s win. Boasting that unions spent so much more and got a lesser result. Had ads, lawn signs “Unplug Wynne”. They only need to declare what they raised and spent during a specific time period. Outside that time they can do anything (and do).
• INVESTIGATION: Developers with ties to Ford government stand to cash in on Hwy. 413 | Canada's National Observer - -Lots of very powerful developers set to profit big time from Highway 413 (which has fierce opposition from environmental critics “Four of the developers are connected to Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government through party officials and former Tory politicians now acting as registered lobbyists.” Article details these relationships and highlights the key players. All donors of Ontario Proud as well. Project will cost upwards of $10B to save folks (MTO says) 30 minutes of travel. Just so happens one of these developers takes Ford and Lecce to a Florida Panthers game, in a box (but swear no government business was discussed) Provide a map where it shows how PC top donors dot the land associated with the highway. I don’t think this points to collusion between the PC Party and developers but of one between capital and anyone in power.
• Architects respond to Ontario’s proposed Bill 23 - Ford says “ proposed legislation is to accelerate the construction of 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years to address our housing crisis.” What it actually does: Lowers affordable housing requirements for developers 20% to 5% inclusion for affordable housing Length of time it has to be ‘affordable’ 99 years to 25 Removes need for public consultation prior to building subdivisions Lessens involvement of Conservation Authorities “removed from their oversight will be watershed planning and management, coordinated flood protection, conservation of green lands and biodiversity, which are all core to climate change mitigation” Removes involvement of City Planners * Summary: Removes all levels of consultation and accountability for developers.