[All] Bill 66 Update, Regional Review, Our Water Event April 17th

Sat Apr 6 14:47:16 EDT 2019

Good Day,

1) Bill 66 Update - It has been a long journey however, Section 10 of Bill 66 has finally been removed by the Standing Committee for General Government and we no longer have to worry about the provincial government using this draconian bill that so limited public notice and engagement while overriding key protections and so many essential Acts to “Open Ontario to Business”.  Kudo’s again to so many different community groups who rallied, protested, delegated, sent letters, phoned, and undertook so many actions to persuade the government to abandon Section 10.  It is unfortunate to see other concerning parts of Bill 66 still proceeding though.

2) Other Provincial Protests - it appears that Bill 66 was just setting the stage for many unfolding battles with the provincial government be it autism funding, education cuts, health care cuts, aggregates, the Growth Plan. and so many other issues.  It is great to see the leadership being show by the so many community groups and organizations who are rallying in every way possible way.  I encourage you to follow key organizing groups such as the Ontario Federation of Labour and their Power of Many campaign:

	https://www.oflevents.ca

And the Waterloo Region Health Coalition who is helping to organize a massive Queen’s Park rally on April 30th:

	https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca

3) Regional Review - the provincial government’s review of regional and local governments which many fear will result in amalgamation or the creation of a mega-city overwhelming our rural areas as well as threatening our Countryside Line, Protected Countryside, farmland, and natural areas is well underway.  You can learn more in the following article:

	- CBC Article - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/regional-government-municipal-review-consultations-1.5079938

It is so important that local citizens speak up with ideas and concerns.  You can present in person to Regional Councillors and Mayors at a Special Regional Council Meeting on April 17th:

	https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca

You can also present in person to the Provincial Advisors on Regional Reform on April 24th in Kitchener:

	https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-regional-government-review

You can also submit written comments to the province and complete the online survey at:

	https://www.ontario.ca/form/survey-regional-government-review

Please ensure that your voice is heard - we need to speak out for the sort of community and the things that we would like to see in the future.  So much that has been essential to the success of our communities is at stake and the consequences of poorly considered and hap-hazard changes could be very far reaching.

4) Our Water, Our Future - join Theresa McClenaghan Executive Director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and Bruce Davidson Vice-Chair of Concerned Walkerton Citizens to talk about the importance of safeguarding our water and potential future threats to our water supplies.  The date of Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00pm is fast approaching.  Please be sure to RSVP for this free event and If your group would like to have a table at this event at the First United Church in Waterloo please e-mail John Jackson of the Grand River Environmental Network at jjackson at web.ca <mailto:jjackson at web.ca>

	https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/our-water-our-future-tickets-58165251834 <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/our-water-our-future-tickets-58165251834>

5) Secret Aggregate Summit - the Ford provincial government has continued its trend of secret industry consultations and invitation-only backroom meetings with a recent Aggregate Summit on March 29th in Caledon.  Despite repeated requests to attend, more than 20 different community and environmental groups such as the Wellington Water Watchers, the Grand River Environmental Network, the Ontario Headwaters Institute, and Gravelwatch were denied access to the meeting.  The article below describes demands of the Ontario Sand Stone and Gravel Association to be allowed to destroy protected areas such as the Greenbelt and Natural Heritage Areas for gravel pits:

	https://www.tvo.org/article/the-quarrying-industry-wants-back-in-to-ontarios-protected-land
	- 

6) Ontario Government to Air Ads Fighting Climate Change Action - If the $30 million the Ford provincial government is wasting taking the federal government to court to fight the modest federal carbon tax isn’t bad enough, it has been revealed that on April 11th the government will be releasing a taxpayer funded advertising campaign against the federal carbon tax.  It is very concerning to see the regressive actions of the provincial government and it fighting against essential action on climate change rather than leading with much needed climate change action.

With the vast majority of Canadians expressing concern about climate change and stating that we need to be doing more, it is very disappointing to see our provincial government not only fighting climate action but now launching advertising campaigns against it.  Please e-mail or call your MPP to voice concerns and you can learn more in the article below:

	https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9249712-ford-plans-taxpayer-funded-tv-ad-blitz-opposing-trudeau-s-carbon-tax-/

7) Final Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Report - ECO Diane Saxe who headlined our January event, gave her final report last week before being terminated.  It is an excellent report that can be found at the archived ECO website:

https://eco.auditor.on.ca/reports/2019-why-energy-conservation/

I am providing a quote below from a local environmental leader:

"I love section 4 of the Saxe report as it captures key messages from many ENGOs about the dangers of not smart growth and urban sprawl that only cause long term community vitality pains, ever increasing commuter gridlock, loss of rural landscapes including the food and diversity in our farmlands, forests, nature and water, together with higher taxes and hotter climates that only serve short term goals of self-gain leaders and pirates."

"In a so-called provincial government for the people, it is just not happening in the constant deluge of smoke and mirrors thrown to distract us every day. What an insult this is to the normal intelligence of conscientious citizens who fear for the legacy we are leaving for our children. We must continue to demand and to require evidence-based useful facts not evidence-deficient fake news from our governments. We must stand up with our collective voice. Bullies will eventually back down when confronted with the hard cold reality of what the people want and knowing the people will not stand for less. Don't ever give up as strong community-based persistence will prevail. All major environmental gains in Ontario were won by grass roots leadership!" 

8) Green Drinks Waterloo - The second Green Drinks Waterloo event is coming up Wednesday, April 10th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Huether Hotel, Barley Works.  Come out and join other environmentally conscientious, sustainably minded people for drinks and conversation.  Please mark second Wednesday of each month in your calendar and check out http://www.greendrinks.org/ON/Kitchener%20Waterloo%20Cambridge <http://www.greendrinks.org/ON/Kitchener%20Waterloo%20Cambridge> for additional information.

9) Federal Climate Change Initiative - finally, below is a link to an excellent Globe & Mail article calling out the Conservative Party for their lack of climate plan in an era when global climate change is perhaps the biggest danger facing our planet.  Things are certainly shifting when the pro-business Globe & Mail is calling for climate action:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-conservative-lies-about-the-carbon-tax-need-to-be-called-out/

Please share any questions or ideas and please continue to stand up for our community.

Thank you,
Kevin.

——————————

Ford plans taxpayer-funded TV ad blitz opposing Trudeau’s ‘carbon tax’
Premier Doug Ford’s government is planning to launch a multi-million dollar advertising blitz attacking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s carbon-pricing measures, the Star has learned.

NEWS Mar 31, 2019 by Robert Benzie Toronto Star
 <https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9249712-ford-plans-taxpayer-funded-tv-ad-blitz-opposing-trudeau-s-carbon-tax-/#> <https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9249712-ford-plans-taxpayer-funded-tv-ad-blitz-opposing-trudeau-s-carbon-tax-/#> <https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9249712-ford-plans-taxpayer-funded-tv-ad-blitz-opposing-trudeau-s-carbon-tax-/#&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therecord.com%2Fnews-story%2F9249712-ford-plans-taxpayer-funded-tv-ad-blitz-opposing-trudeau-s-carbon-tax-%2F&&title=Ford%20plans%20taxpayer-funded%20TV%20ad%20blitz%20opposing%20Trudeau%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98carbon%20tax%E2%80%99%20&> <https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9249712-ford-plans-taxpayer-funded-tv-ad-blitz-opposing-trudeau-s-carbon-tax-/#&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therecord.com%2Fnews-story%2F9249712-ford-plans-taxpayer-funded-tv-ad-blitz-opposing-trudeau-s-carbon-tax-%2F&&title=Ford%20plans%20taxpayer-funded%20TV%20ad%20blitz%20opposing%20Trudeau%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98carbon%20tax%E2%80%99%20&> <mailto:?subject=A%20friend%20has%20shared%20%22Ford%20plans%20taxpayer-funded%20TV%20ad%20blitz%20opposing%20Trudeau%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98carbon%20tax%E2%80%99%22%20from%20TheRecord.com&body=I%20am%20sharing%20this%20story%20from%20TheRecord.com:%20%0D%0A%22Ford%20plans%20taxpayer-funded%20TV%20ad%20blitz%20opposing%20Trudeau%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98carbon%20tax%E2%80%99%22%0D%0A%0D%0APlease%20visit%20the%20following%20page%20for%20more%20information:%20%0D%0Ahttps://www.therecord.com/news-story/9249712-ford-plans-taxpayer-funded-tv-ad-blitz-opposing-trudeau-s-carbon-tax-/?s=e%0D%0A%0D%0A**%20Disclaimer%20**%0D%0A%0D%0AMetroland%20Media%20Group%20Ltd.%20and%20its%20affiliated%20sites%20are%20not%20responsible%20for%20the%20content%20of%20this%20e-mail.%20Please%20note%20that%20neither%20the%20e-mail%20address%20nor%20name%20of%20the%20sender%20has%20been%20verified.>

Premier Doug Ford meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a Dec. 6, 2018, file photo. The Star has learned Ford’s government is planning an advertising blitz opposing Ottawa’s new carbon tax. - Paul Chiasson , THE CANADIAN PRESS 
Premier Doug Ford's government is launching a massive taxpayer-funded advertising blitz attacking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's carbon-pricing plan, the Star has learned.

Sources say the Progressive Conservatives have quietly begun preparing two 30-second TV commercials aimed at attacking what Ford calls "a job-killing carbon tax," a levy that takes effect Monday <https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/03/31/new-carbon-tax-starts-coming-in-for-four-provinces-that-fought-the-federal-plan.html>.

"This is not a fight we are shying away from," said one senior Ontario government official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations.

"You don't need a carbon tax to fight climate change."

The insider said a multi-million dollar ad campaign on television, radio, in print, and online will launch in the week after Finance Minister Vic Fedeli's April 11 budget.

One proposed ad, set in a gas station, points out that Ottawa's scheme will add about 5 cents to a litre of gasoline.

The spot notes that will add a lot of nickels to the price of food and other consumer goods because of increased shipping costs.

A second provisional ad depicts the federal government as a hand reaching into a vehicle taking some coins from a motorist.

The same hand is also shown inserting change into a thermostat as an elderly woman sets the temperature in her home.

Sources say finishing touches are still being done on the commercials, which have not yet been filmed.

The premier will underscore his credentials on pocketbook issues Monday when he touts the official end of the $30 Drive Clean emissions test <https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/09/27/premier-doug-ford-ending-drive-clean-plan.html> for passenger cars and trucks. Only commercial vehicles will be tested.

Ford's advertising comes as his government has earmarked $30 million to fight the federal carbon-pricing measures. Less than $1 million of that has already been spent on an ongoing court challenge.

Under Trudeau's program, which is designed curb greenhouse gas emissions, an average Ontario household would pay $244 more a year on gasoline, natural gas and home heating oil, but receive $300 in rebates for a net gain of $56 annually. That would be bankrolled by big industrial polluters.

The province's proposed ads appear to contravene the old Government Advertising Act, watered down by the previous Liberal administration in 2015, which the Conservatives have promised to strengthen.

While in opposition, the Tories vowed to revive the auditor general's powers to veto commercials deemed to be politically partisan.

In her annual report last December <https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/12/05/ontario-auditor-general-report-finds-wynnes-free-tuition-scheme-far-more-expensive-than-promised.html>, auditor general Bonnie Lysyk noted her office is no longer empowered to look at taxpayer-funded ads for "factual accuracy, context or tone to determine whether an item is partisan."

"We recommend that the previous version of the Government Advertising Act, 2004 as it appeared on June 3, 2015, be reinstated," Lysyk wrote at the time.

In response, the Tories promised action.

"The government will endeavor to explore options for the review of government advertising. Expenditure management is a priority for this government," the treasury board said.

"In support of this priority, the government will continually review advertising paid for by the government of Ontario to ensure it is delivered in the most efficient and effective manner, and delivers value for taxpayer dollars."

Lysyk had publicly criticized the previous Liberal administration's ads that promoted Ontario's now-scrapped cap-and-trade environmental alliance with Quebec and California.

In 2016, she objected to a commercial with environmentalist David Suzuki speaking to a crowded auditorium of children where he warned them that "if we don't act now, the damage could be irreversible." 

"Who will have to live with the consequences? You," Suzuki lectured the kids.

But Lysyk felt that ad was designed "to create a positive impression of government."

That sparked then deputy Tory leader Sylvia Jones, now Ford's community safety minister, to table a private members' bill to restore the auditor's power over government advertising.

"If the Liberal party wants to spend money promoting their policies, have at it. But this is taxpayers' money that should be going to important issues," Jones said at the time.

Former Grit premier Dalton McGuinty introduced the Government Advertising Act 15 years after a flurry of Tory ads under his predecessors, Ernie Eves and Mike Harris.

Wynne amended it in 2015 amid complaints from Liberals that it was too restrictive.

When the province harmonized the provincial sales tax with the goods and service tax in 2010, the government was unable to tout any of the benefits to consumers of streamlining the levies because the auditor general refused to allow it.

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

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

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Fridays for the Future Climate Strike - it is great to see so many students taking part in the Fridays for the Future global movement.  Please join on Friday, May 3rd at 12:30pm for the next event and learn more at:

	https://www.facebook.com/events/155952411991859/ <https://www.facebook.com/events/155952411991859/>

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

Kevin Thomason
Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network

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

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