Premier Doug Ford doubled down on his commitment to build more homes in Ontario and insisted on the continued role of Housing Minister Steve Clark in his government on Thursday, a day after the province's integrity commissioner recommended reprimanding Clark for his role in the controversial greenbelt land swap.

At an unrelated press conference, Ford was repeatedly asked why Clark retained his position despite a lengthy report from J. David Wake that stated the Housing Minister failed to properly oversee the process that led to the selection of protected greenbelt lands for housing development, ultimately allowing the interests of certain private developers to influence the project.

Ford's office said yesterday that Clark will keep his position and did not mention any penalties despite new calls from the political opposition at Queen's Park for his dismissal.

Ford said, "Minister Clark is part of our team and will remain part of our team. Ultimately, I'm not happy with this process, we are changing the process, but I have to build these homes, and we will continue to build 1.5 million homes in every corner of this place and this province."

He stated, "I am responsible for everything that happens in the province. I always ensure that our team and our ministers are held accountable to follow the mandate we have given them."

Ford added that he is done removing land from the greenbelt, but he also said he would not hesitate to return developer-owned land to previous environmental protections if homes are not built, pointing out that the issues that have arisen around the greenbelt, which everyone is very interested in, are a fraction compared to the issues others are facing.

He continued, "There are hundreds of thousands of people who have no homes. When we face a housing crisis, we have two options: either we sit back as the other government did and let the province crumble, or we move forward and build homes."

Ford did not mention whether he would support Wake's recommendation to reprimand Clark, saying, "That will be presented to the legislature, and we will see when we return in September."

In response to questions about public trust and accountability to taxpayers, Ford replied that the government is working on creating more housing and rentals specifically for the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers.

Wake's report came after weeks following the province's auditor general releasing a comprehensive report showing that developers linked to the government influenced the decision to open the greenbelt for their financial benefit. Clark's Chief of Staff, Ryan Amato, resigned following its publication, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is now considering whether to launch an investigation into the matter.

In a statement following the report's release, Clark said he accepts its findings, noting clear flaws in the process, but echoed the comments from the Premier's office, pledging to remain committed to building housing.

The Ontario government said on Tuesday that it is exploring reinstating environmental protections on two properties in Ajax, Ontario, that were removed from the greenbelt last year and are set for development.

John Fraser, the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, reiterated previous comments made earlier this week on Thursday, stating that Clark should resign or Ford needs to remove him.

Fraser told reporters on Thursday, "It seems the minister will not resign. The longer this goes on, the more it stinks."