Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the new legislation earlier this month to address the housing crisis and affordability crunch.

Ford said that he is sorry that he broke his original promise not to touch the Greenbelt, and it was a mistake to open it up for development.

Raly Chakarova takes over the role from Andy Manahan, who held the position since February 2022.

McNaughton said it had been the "honour of a lifetime" to be labour minister, but the time was right to leave. The departure, he said, was unrelated to "recent events."

Set to open in Q4 2024, the 379,000-square foot centre was designed to be zero-carbon ready, as is being developed and constructed by Broccolini.