Support varies among Leeds-Grenville residents as Steve Clark resigns from cabinet – Kingston
You’d be hard pressed to go anywhere in Brockville, Ontario and find someone who doesn’t know who Steve Clark is. This career politician served Leeds-Grenville as an MPP for over 20 years and before that he was Mayor of Brockville.
But a lifetime of politics could be completely destroyed as Clark faces the fallout from the Greenbelt scandal, following which he resigned over the weekend.
“Yes, it’s a surprise for me,” said Marcel Frigault. ‘I was not aware of any circumstances which might lead to this, but I suspect when an MP resigns it is certainly not a usual occurrence.’
“He should have done it with dignity, earlier,” added Mariko Boag.
“We hate what they’re doing at the Greenbelt, having to develop everything and trying to do dirty tricks and compromise and that sort of thing,” Joanne Daley said.
While some were shocked by the news and others relieved to learn that Clark was to step down, others in Brockville were quick to jump to the longtime politician’s defense.
“I’m backing Steve all the way, 100 per cent,” David Tidbury said. “I don’t think Steve did anything wrong, I think he’s doing the honorable thing by stepping down.”
“I think he made a mistake, probably not knowing what the other guy is doing,” added Dimitru Starca.
“Like I said, he’s probably the downfall guy. Ford should have something to do with it as well, because he’s in the driver’s seat,” Mike Spas said.
“I wonder if he’s the only one who has to do it. There are probably other people who should fall,” said Andrew Ross.
Kingston and the Islands MPP and Ontario Liberal Party leadership candidate Ted Hsu says Clark’s resignation should be the start of a bigger domino effect leading to a public inquiry.
“So that witnesses can be called to testify under oath, and so that we can compel the production of documents like emails to find out the truth,” Hsu said.
PKBNEWS attempted to reach Clark at his constituency office, but staff told him he would not be making media appointments.
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