Integrity commissioner bans Ontario lobbyist over Greenbelt dealings [Video]

A central figure in the Greenbelt scandal has been banned from lobbying the Ontario government for two years, after the province’s integrity watchdog determined the lobbyist illegally charged fees to influence public policy and put politicians in a conflict of interest position.

John Mutton, the former mayor of Clarington-turned lobbyist, allegedly violated the province’s Lobbyist Registration Act on multiple occasions, according to the integrity commissioner, on behalf of a client who wanted their lands removed from the Greenbelt in 2021 and 2022.

To influence the decision-making process, the commissioner said, Mutton’s firm organized political fundraisers for public office holders and offered politicians tickets to NBA games and other gifts, while also charging clients “success” fees totaling more than $600,000 for the work.

The Ford government’s decision in 2022 to remove 7,400 acres of land from the Greenbelt led to public blowback, an active RCMP investigation, an apology and reversals from Premier Doug Ford.

The land was …