Shakir Rehmatullah is founder and president of Markham, Ont.-based Flato Developments. He was named as one of the developers who benefitted from the Ford government’s Greenbelt land swap. (Flato Developments/YouTube)
Rasheed’s resignation comes on the heels of another resignation, that of Housing Minister Steve Clark, who stepped down after weeks of pushback from political opponents over his involvement in the Greenbelt controversy.
Ontario’s integrity commissioner investigated Clark’s conduct and recommended he be reprimanded, saying he failed to properly oversee the process that led to protected Greenbelt lands being selected for housing development.
Opposition parties call for accountability
In a statement, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Rasheed’s resignation is just “scratching the surface” of the Ford government’s “corruption crisis.”
“This government is spiralling out of control. Mr. Ford needs to answer for that,” said Stiles.
Ontario Green Leader Mike Schreiner said in a statement that Ontarians have had “enough of broken promises and empty apologies.”
“Distraction and denial won’t deliver accountability to the people of Ontario,” said Schreiner.
He called for all Greenbelt land to be “fully protected” and for a public inquiry into the Ford government’s Greenbelt land swap.
“Ontarians have questions — it’s time for the Premier to face the music and provide honest answers.”