Just after 9 a.m. on Labour Day, Steve Clark resigned from his position as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in a letter also shared on his Twitter account.
“Since the Integrity Commissioner’s report was released, I have continued to reflect on my role and my obligations to the people of Ontario,” Clark begins, calling his chance to serve his constituents and the people of Ontario the greatest honour of his life.
Clark said, however, that the province’s housing crisis “demands someone who is not a distraction from the important work that needs to be done.”
The former minister’s resignation comes on the heels of a damning report from the province’s Integrity Commissioner, released last Wednesday, that found the Minister had violated multiple sections of the Members’ Integrity Act for his failure to properly oversee the Greenbelt land selection process.
The Integrity Commissioner’s insights followed a report released by the Auditor General earlier this month that pointed a finger at Clark’s former Chief of Staff, who was allowed to run a biased selection process favouring certain developers and landowners, with no oversight from Clark.
Many public and political leaders alike called for Clark’s resignation, but following both reports, Premier Doug Ford maintained his confidence in Clark, even as recently as last Thursday morning saying at a press conference that Clark will continue on in his portfolio. Clark, who similarly spoke at a press conference on Thursday, said that he accepted the report’s findings and takes responsibility for the less-than-stellar selection process, but that he would continue on in his position.
“Although my initial thought was that I could stay in this role and establish a proper process so that these mistakes don’t happen again, I realize that my presence will only cause a further distraction from the important work that needs to be done and that I need to take accountability for what has transpired,” reads the letter addressed to Ford.
Clark says that he will continue on as the MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.
