The office of Prime Minister Doug Ford confirmed to CTV News Toronto on Friday that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are interviewing witnesses related to the Greenbelt scandal in Ontario.

In an email, the government spokesperson confirmed that the Ford government has "always said" it would cooperate with the investigation being conducted by the police into the now-canceled plan to develop parts of the environmentally sensitive area.

The government spokesperson stated: "This cooperation will include the Prime Minister and current or former staff members being interviewed as witnesses, which is currently taking place, and that if there are any other questions, they should be directed to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police."

At an unrelated press conference on Friday in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Ford said his government "has nothing to hide."

He added, "Come, do what you have to do. In fact, we are moving forward. But I want full cooperation; they know that. Because there is nothing to hide there. Let’s get on with it."

Ontario announced its plans to build at least 50,000 new homes on the protected greenbelt in November 2022. At that time, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clarke said the government would need to remove 7,400 acres to do so, but 9,400 acres would be added elsewhere.

Ford had previously stated that he would leave the land untouched.

In a scathing report issued by the then-Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk exactly one year ago, it was found that some developers may have received preferential treatment during the selection process of 14 of the proposed 15 building sites. Lysyk also noted that the land designated for development may have seen an increase in value of $8.3 billion.

Lysyk's investigation into value for money began, as well as a separate investigation conducted by the Integrity Commissioner, due to media reports that some developers may have received advance notice about the decision to develop the protected lands.

Later that month, the Ontario Provincial Police referred the matter to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police due to perceived conflicts of interest. At that time, the RCMP's fraud division stated that it had been reviewing complaints related to the scandal since mid-December of the previous year.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police began its investigation in October.

Ford had rejected calls to reverse greenbelt development plans for several months, stating it was necessary to achieve the province's goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031. However, he announced in mid-September that his government was changing course.

Ford told reporters at a press conference at that time, "We have shared with our caucus what they have heard in their communities. I want the people of Ontario to know that I am listening. I made a promise to you that I would not touch the greenbelt. I broke that promise. That’s why I am very, very sorry."

"I take pride in keeping our promises. It was wrong to open up the greenbelt. It was wrong to create a process that moved too quickly."

Two ministers in the government resigned following the scandal, including Clarke and former Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, Khalid Rashid.

Opposition Leader Marit Stiles issued a statement on Friday after Ford's office confirmed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had begun interviewing witnesses.

She said, "You deserve a government that tells the truth. Cares about ordinary people and does the right thing for them. A government that is not under criminal investigation."