No Taxpayer Dollars for Greenbelt Investigation Legal Fees: MPP Fraser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​August 24, 2023

OTTAWA, ON – John Fraser, MPP for Ottawa South and Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, has released the following statement:

"Yesterday, we learned the RCMP are now involved in the $8.3 billion Greenbelt Giveaway to the Premier's friends.

"We must ensure no government funds are being used in a cover-up. The coverup started when public servants were told to sign an agreement that didn’t allow them to talk to their bosses.

"That's why today, I am calling on the Premier to commit that NO government money will be used to pay the legal fees of anyone that falls into the crosshairs of the RCMP or any investigation.

"It is simply not believable that one political staffer is behind the $8.3 billion cash-for-your-land-scheme. Ryan Amato is not a lone wolf as the Premier is suggesting. As the investigations continue to progress, I am concerned the Premier will use taxpayer's money to fund the cover-up by paying for the legal fees of everyone involved.

"There should be no taxpayers' money for the legal fees of anyone implicated. Nothing for the RCMP probe. ​ Nothing for the Integrity Commissioner's probe. And nothing for the Privacy Commissioner's probe should one begin.

"It is clear that the public trust has been broken. It is critical that trust be restored and that taxpayer dollars not be used to support those who broke that trust."