to bring the Watters Road property into Ottawa’s municipal boundary and whether
Party donors and insiders benefited similar to the Greenbelt Scandal.
Orléans Land Deal Timeline
May 2020 – Ottawa City Council votes to expand Ottawa’s urban boundary by 1,281 hectares (HA) with a priority of protecting high quality farmland as directed by the Provincial Policy Statement.
The land at 1177 Watters Road is confirmed as High Quality farmland by this study and not even evaluated for inclusion in the boundary or development.
August 2021 – The newly incorporated 1177 Watters Developments Ltd. bought the land from the long time family owners for $12.7 million – which equates to $139,382 an acre. This shell company is controlled by a major construction and development company. Development lands in Orleans are currently selling for 3-5 times that price depending on local factors.
2021 to Present – $37,456 is donated to the Governing Political Party by the corporate directors of 1177 Watters Developments Ltd. and it’s apparent holding company, according to current Elections Ontario records. There are no records of political donations for these individuals before 2021.
November 4, 2022 – The former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, who is required to sign off on Ottawa’s Official Plan (Passed in May 2020), adds an additional 654 HA to Ottawa’s urban boundary, including the lands at 1177 Watters Road before signing off on the plan.