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Former Ontario Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake Dies One Year After Retiring
J. David Wake, who led investigations including a Greenbelt report that prompted a cabinet resignation, died in 2026. He served as integrity commissioner from 2016 to 2025 after earlier roles on the bench.
Jul 7, 3:00 PM·1m read2 sources
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J. David Wake, Ontario's integrity commissioner from 2016 to 2025, died in 2026 one year after retiring, Cbc reported. Wake authored the report on the provincial government's removal of lands from the protected Greenbelt area for housing development.
The report concluded that the housing minister failed to properly oversee his top staffer. It described the process as chaotic and said it created opportunities to improperly further some developers' interests. Wake and his team spoke to 62 witnesses and reviewed more than 2,300 documents during the investigation, which led to a cabinet minister resigning.
Wake previously served as associate chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice from 1999 to 2005. Current integrity commissioner Cathryn Motherwell stated that Wake's impact on Canadian public sector ethics was indelible. Premier Doug Ford issued a statement extending condolences to Wake's family and loved ones.
Wake is survived by his wife, two children and five grandchildren.
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