[All] Growing the Greenbelt to Waterloo Region and the Grand River Watershed

Tue Jan 9 12:13:56 EST 2018

Good Day,

It has now been more than a month since the provincial government announced a planning proposal to expand the Greenbelt to the Waterloo Moraine, Paris-Galt Moraine, and other important water resources facing development pressures.

Below is the original e-mail that I circulated with the press releases.  The ensuing media coverage has been quite positive across the province.  I have attached some of the articles below.

We are now about one-third of the way through the 90 day consultation process window and apparently the initial response has been good with over 1,000 submissions being sent to the province (hopefully most supportive of Greenbelt expansion).  Please be sure to send your comments and support to the province as soon as possible at:

www.ontario.ca/greenbelt

You can also automatically send an e-mail to the Premier and Cabinet Ministers at:

www.protectourwaters.ca

The Region of Waterloo Staff and Councillors still seem reluctant about the idea of Greenbelt expansion to Waterloo Region.  Kevin Eby, the former Region of Waterloo Director of Community Planning has authored an excellent article in the January issue of Ontario Planning Journal outlining the reasons why Greenbelt expansion should be supported by planners and politicians.  I have attached a PDF of this article below.  Please review the article and be sure to bring up these points to address the concerns of any officials that you are speaking with in the weeks ahead.

We are anticipating that the province is going to announce the dates of local town hall meetings soon and we expect locations to include Kitchener, Guelph and Brantford.  I will keep you posted as soon as the dates and locations are known as it will be important that there is strong attendance to demonstrate firsthand the strong public desire for Greenbelt expansion and better environmental protection.

Please share any questions or ideas.

Thanks,
Kevin.

Kevin Eby OPPI Article:

Recent Media Articles:

The Waterloo Record (somewhat negative first article that totally ignores public perspective but outlines the Regional concerns that we need to overcome):
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7986869-expanded-greenbelt-raises-questions/

The Waterloo Record (second article with public perspective):
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7989878-environmentalists-cheer-greenbelt-study/ <https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7989878-environmentalists-cheer-greenbelt-study/>

The New Hamburg Independent
https://www.newhamburgindependent.ca/news-story/7989878-environmentalists-cheer-greenbelt-study/

The Waterloo Chronicle
https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news-story/7992085-greenbelt-act-consultations-bring-some-concerns-and-kudos-in-waterloo-region/

The Toronto Star
https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/12/08/ontario-may-expand-greenbelt-to-protect-water-supply.html <https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/12/08/ontario-may-expand-greenbelt-to-protect-water-supply.html>

CTV News 
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1280088 <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttp-253A-252F-252Fbarrie.ctvnews.ca-252Fvideo-253FclipId-253D1280088-26amp-3Bdata-3D02-257C01-257C-257C2af24a8678ba40806c0408d53e04a8ce-257C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa-257C1-257C0-257C636483112081016677-26amp-3Bsdata-3Da9mngdMeG-252FOoAfgD-252FwuzrQIxs0nIonXxHe-252B-252FzUCn1Vs-253D-26amp-3Breserved-3D0&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=H7gLLX7rulZCnLaIpXK2ZHI_7IN8U3lmDwTZlH7puMQ&m=oAOB2KZ2o4M7Na7mnR5n6G3zwwlBryWN8T7Efpdla4M&s=OW52WJOE9P1uSYW3etPpOjnapBX3NUWiRiVBYHm2n9Y&e=>

The Woolwich Observer (positive for once about the Greenbelt!):
https://observerxtra.com/2017/12/21/province-eyes-expansion-greenbelt-townships/

-------------------------------------

Kevin Thomason

1115 Cedar Grove Road
Waterloo, Ontario Canada  N2J 3Z4

Phone: (519) 888-0519
Mobile Phone: (519) 240-1648
Twitter: @kthomason
E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com

-----------------------------------------

> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Kevin Thomason <kevinthomason at mac.com>
> Subject: [All] Province Announces Plans to Protect Waterloo Moraine and Important Water Resources
> Date: December 7, 2017 at 3:28:00 PM EST
> To: "Grand River Environmental Network (GREN)" <all at gren.ca>
> 
> Good Day!
> 
> As Lulu shared in her recent e-mail, this morning the province of Ontario announced ambitious plans that have been many years in the making to protect essential water resources and natural features such as the Waterloo Moraine and the Paris-Galt Moraine that are facing development pressures and are not currently in the provincial Greenbelt.
> 
> You can learn more about these announcements and the 90 day EBR/consultation process here:
> 
> www.ontario.ca/greenbelt <http://www.ontario.ca/greenbelt>
> 
> The Ontario Greenbelt Alliance (110 member groups of which GREN is a member) has launched our own joint website and will be undertaking an extensive campaign, meetings, media programs, and outreach over the next few months.  You can see the website that is still being developed as we digest today's announcements here:
> 
> www.protectourwaters.ca <http://www.protectourwaters.ca/>
> 
> I had a call directly from Kitchener MPP Daiene Vernile this morning indicating that the government is looking for feedback and strong mandate to move forward with these proposed Greenbelt expansion areas as they are expecting some opposition.  Thus, it will be very important that GREN members send letters and e-mails of support to all levels of government as well as attend the consultations planned for January here in Waterloo Region (I will circulate the details and timing as soon as it is known).  The comment period on this 90 EBR closes on March 7th, 2018.
> 
> This could be one of the largest environmental achievements in years in Ontario and with a provincial election pending in June we don’t want to see the government distracted or lose interest because of a lack of public feedback.
> 
> It has been suggested that GREN create a sub-committee to work with our local governments, build support, and ensure strong positive feedback to the government.  Please let me know if you would be interested and able to help on this committee.
> 
> It is wonderful to finally see things moving forward on provincial reinforcement of our local protections such as our Regional Official Plan, the ESL’s, Protected Countryside, and Countryside Line that we have worked so hard to develop over the years.  We will need to work to ensure that they are strengthened and not diminished by any Greenbelt expansion and that the strongest of either local or provincial protections prevail.
> 
> I have spoke with a number of area media outlets already today and there have been several press releases circulated from area groups about this announcement which I have attached below along with a couple of the proposed maps from the provincial government for the expansion dialog.
> 
> Please share any questions or ideas and I will circulate additional information as it becomes available.
> 
> Cheers!
> Kevin. 
> 
> P.S. You can send your support to the Premier and key Ministers right now by using the automatic e-mail letter template at: http://www.protectourwaters.ca/action <http://www.protectourwaters.ca/action>
> 
> -------------------------------
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> PROVINCE’S PLAN TO EXPAND GREENBELT PROTECTION TO VULNERABLE WATER SYSTEMS APPLAUDED BUT BIGGER AREA NEEDED
> DEC
> 07
> 2017
>  
> Share on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fenvironmentaldefence.ca%2F2017%2F12%2F07%2Fprovinces-plan-expand-greenbelt-protection-vulnerable-water-systems-applauded-bigger-area-needed%2F>Share on Twitter <http://twitter.com/intent/tweet/?text=Province%E2%80%99s+plan+to+expand+Greenbelt+protection+to+vulnerable+water+systems+applauded+but+bigger+area+needed&url=https%3A%2F%2Fenvironmentaldefence.ca%2F2017%2F12%2F07%2Fprovinces-plan-expand-greenbelt-protection-vulnerable-water-systems-applauded-bigger-area-needed%2F&via=envirodefence>Share on Linkedin <http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fenvironmentaldefence.ca%2F2017%2F12%2F07%2Fprovinces-plan-expand-greenbelt-protection-vulnerable-water-systems-applauded-bigger-area-needed%2F&title=Province%E2%80%99s+plan+to+expand+Greenbelt+protection+to+vulnerable+water+systems+applauded+but+bigger+area+needed>Share on Pinterest <http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fenvironmentaldefence.ca%2F2017%2F12%2F07%2Fprovinces-plan-expand-greenbelt-protection-vulnerable-water-systems-applauded-bigger-area-needed%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fenvironmentaldefence.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fwp-social-sharing%2Fstatic%2Fblank.jpg&description=Province%E2%80%99s+plan+to+expand+Greenbelt+protection+to+vulnerable+water+systems+applauded+but+bigger+area+needed>
> For immediate release: December 7, 2017
> Province’s plan to expand Greenbelt protection to vulnerable water systems applauded but bigger area needed
> Toronto, ON – In response to today’s provincial announcement <https://news.ontario.ca/mma/en/2017/12/ontario-consulting-on-greenbelt-expansion.html>, over 120 groups are calling on the government to establish a 1.5 million acre “bluebelt <https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/growourgreenbelt/pages/57/attachments/original/1477684178/GrowOurGB-Bluebelt-Map-October2016.jpg?1477684178>” in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) region to permanently protect water sources. The government’s map is missing key areas that are urgently needed for the over 1.25 million residents, farms and businesses who access drinking water directly from the region’s groundwater and rivers. These areas also flow to the Great Lakes where millions more get their drinking water.
> “Four million more people will call this region home in the next 25 years, so now is the time to secure future water supplies,” said Tim Gray of Environmental Defence. “Features like moraines, wetlands and headwaters that filter and store water must be off limits to development. We need expansive protective measures to safeguard our water supplies for generations to come.”
> With a changing climate, the pressure on our water reserves, farmland and green spaces is even more intense. “Water connects us all,” said Margaret Prophet of the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition. “It is more important than regional politics and geography. There are Simcoe residents who already are experiencing dried-up wells, water restrictions, water bans, and substandard water quality and boil water advisories. We need action now.”
> One of the threats to water systems is urbanization. The new provincial Growth Plan directs more growth to existing urban areas, but only the Greenbelt Plan provides permanent protection to secure water supplies long term.”Expanding the Greenbelt to protect hydrologically significant lands located outside of urban boundaries will not affect housing supply,” said Jennifer Keesmaat, former Chief Planner and Executive Director for City of Toronto. “If these lands are protected from development under an expanded Greenbelt Plan, there are no changes required to how landowners currently use the land.”
> The good news: the province’s consultation document identifies seven areas in the study including water systems flowing off the Niagara Escarpment into Simcoe and Dufferin County, the Oro Moraine, Orangeville Moraine, and the Paris Galt Moraine.
> What’s needed: the map encompasses sensitive watersheds in Simcoe County but omits areas in Wellington County and key watersheds in the east, such as the Iroquois Plain along the south shore of Lake Ontario and the headwaters of Carruthers Creek.
> “We need the province to expand the Greenbelt’s protection to sensitive areas like the Iroquois Plain, Wellington County and the headwaters of Carruthers Creek,” Gray continued. “That’s why we are urging Ontarians to participate in the three month consultation and to tell the government to create a 1.5 million acre bluebelt before it’s too late.”
> The #ProtectOurWater <http://www.protectourwaters.ca/> initiative is a collaboration between organizations and associations representing more than 120 groups, and 300,000 members <http://www.protectourwaters.ca/partners> across Ontario.
> -30-
> For more information, please see this backgrounder <https://environmentaldefence.ca/report/report-media-backgrounder-grow-the-greenbelt/>.
> To arrange an interview, please contact: Stephanie Kohls, Environmental Defence, skohls at environmentaldefence.ca <mailto:skohls at environmentaldefence.ca>, 416-323-9521 ext. 232 (work), 416-885-7847 (cell)
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------
> 
> NEWS RELEASE
> December 7, 2017 10:00am
> 
> The Ministry of Municipal Affairs is undertaking a consultation on a study area for potential Greenbelt expansion to protect important water resources in the outer ring of the Greater Golden Horseshoe.  The study area is based on the locations with high concentrations of water resources that are under pressure from urban development.
>  
> The purpose of this consultation is to seek input on:
> The province’s approach to identifying moraines, coldwater streams and wetlands as important features for protecting water in the outer ring
> The process followed for mapping a study area based on the locations of these features 
> Other factors to be considered when mapping a proposed Greenbelt boundary.
> As part of the consultation, the province would also like to invite you to attend a public open house.  The province will be holding the public open houses in several locations across the study area to get input from the public, municipalities, conservation authorities, Indigenous communities and organizations, and stakeholders.
>  
> For more information about the consultation, please visit Ontario.ca/greenbelt <x-msg://49/Ontario.ca/greenbelt> where you will find: 
> A consultation document which describes this proposal in more detail and includes discussion questions related to each of these topics
> Maps of the study area
> Information about the upcoming public open houses. 
> We will accept input and feedback about the study area and the parameters for potential Greenbelt expansion until March 7, 2018.  Input received through this consultation will help inform decisions on how to move from a study area to a proposed Greenbelt boundary.  
>  
> If you have any questions about the consultation or the upcoming public open houses, please contact us by sending an email to protectingwater at ontario.ca <mailto:protectingwater at ontario.ca> or calling 1-877-711-8208.
>  
> We hope you will take the time to review the consultation document and share your opinions and insights with us.  
>  
> Sincerely,
>  
>  
> Bill Mauro
> Minister
>  
> -------------------------------------
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -------------------------------------
> 
> Kevin Thomason
> 
> 1115 Cedar Grove Road
> Waterloo, Ontario Canada  N2J 3Z4
> 
> Phone: (519) 888-0519
> Mobile Phone: (519) 240-1648
> Twitter: @kthomason
> E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com <mailto:kevinthomason at mac.com>
> 
> -----------------------------------------

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