The Madam is In: Doug Ford Moves Into the Real Estate “Brothel” He’s Been Courtin’… Ford government to take control of Ontario’s real estate regulator Monday, assumes all powers of board

Jean Lépine, left, has been appointed as administrator of RECO by Stephen Crawford, right, minister of public and susiness service delivery and procurement, which oversees the provincial real estate regulator.

In response to the news reported by The Star,

Ford government to take control of Ontario’s real estate regulator Monday, assumes all powers of board

The province is appointing administrator Jean Lépine to oversee the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) in the wake of the iPro scandal

A gathering of realtors are seen protesting Nov. 28 at Queen’s Park over RECO’s handling of the iPro Realty scandal.

The Madam is In: Doug Ford Moves Into the Real Estate “Brothel” He’s Been Courtin’

A Satirical Condemnation of the Most Transparent Power Grab in Ontario History

By Eddie Hardie 🍁 Corruption Crusader  

In a move that has shocked absolutely no one who has been paying attention, Premier Doug Ford has officially ceased merely frequenting the brothel of Ontario’s real estate industry and has instead kicked down the doors, fired the management, and installed himself as the new Madam.

This Monday, the Ford government will seize total control of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), summarily dismissing its board and assuming all its powers. It’s the political equivalent of a fox not just guarding the henhouse, but evicting the chickens, changing the locks, and turning the place into a Fox-themed sports bar.

From “More Homes Built Faster” to “More Deals Cut Quicker”

The official line, delivered with the solemn gravity of a used-car salesman explaining why the odometer has been rolled back, is that this is about “improving transparency and accountability” and “cutting red tape.” The Toronto Star reports the government claims this will “streamline” the process.

Let’s translate that from Fordian to English: “Streamlining” means removing those pesky independent voices—the ones who might ask uncomfortable questions about ethics, consumer protection, or why a Premier who is famously chummy with developers now needs to personally hold the keys to the regulator that oversees them.

This isn’t just a conflict of interest; it’s a hostile takeover of the public trust. For years, Ontarians have watched with a growing sense of betrayal as the Greenbelt was carved up for Ford’s developer pals, a scandal so blatant it forced two ministers to resign and is currently under a criminal investigation by the RCMP. The feeling is one of deep resentment—the kind you feel when you realize you’re not a citizen to be served, but a mark to be conned.

But why merely sleep with the industry when you can become the industry? It’s the logical, shocking next step. If Jeffrey Epstein controlled the island, Ford is now controlling the entire port authority.

A Scandalous Pattern: The Receipts Are In

To claim this is an isolated incident is to claim a hurricane is just a bit of wind. This is a pattern, a corrupt symphony conducted by Ford, with real estate developers as the only members of the orchestra.

• The Greenbelt Grabfest: The premier’s own integrity commissioner found Ford’s Housing Minister violated ethics rules by showing a “glaring” disregard for the process, favoring certain developers with inside access. Source: CBC – Ford government’s Greenbelt land swap report highlights ‘unnecessary’ secrecy, commissioner finds

• The “It Wasn’t Me, It Was My Staff” Defense: When the RCMP decided to investigate the Greenbelt affair for potential criminal misconduct, the government line was one of baffling ignorance. Source: Global News – RCMP confirms it is investigating Ontario’s Greenbelt land removal

• The $8.28 Billion “Oopsies”: The Auditor General revealed that the government’s own development plans, heavily favoring the expansion of suburbs over densification, could cost taxpayers an extra $8.28 billion in infrastructure costs. Who pays? You do. Source: Ontario’s Auditor General Report, Chapter 3 on Housing (See Page 10 for the damning figure).

This isn’t governance; it’s a fire sale of public assets, and the “For Sale” sign is now being hammered directly into the foundation of the regulatory body meant to protect homebuyers.

A Glimpse into the Future: The New & “Improved” RECO

What can Ontarians expect from a government-controlled real estate regulator? Let’s speculate, based on the Ford administration’s stellar track record:

• New Code of Ethics: Article 1: “Thou shalt not impede a developer’s divine right to profit.”

• Streamlined Complaints Process: A single, automated phone line that plays a recording: “Have you tried just making more money?”

• Updated Educational Courses: “Creative Bidding Wars 101” and “How to Explain to Your Client That the Sewer System Won’t Be Built For Another Decade.”

• Consumer Protection Slogan: “Caveat Emptor, Baby! (Buyer Beware, we’re not your mommy).”

It’s scary. The very entity meant to protect you from a predatory market is now being run by the people who are most invested in that predation. The feeling is one of upset and powerlessness, a realization that the system is not just broken, but has been weaponized against you.

Doug Ford hasn’t just crossed a line; he’s used a government bulldozer to erase it and build a 50-story luxury condo tower on the spot. The people of Ontario are left looking up from the street, wondering how the sky got so dark, and who exactly is getting the penthouse view.

A satirical illustration of Doug Ford wearing a crown and a “MADAM” sash, sitting at a desk labeled “RECO” while handing out building permits to shadowy figures with bags of money.