[All] Bill 66 Going to Committee, Upcoming Events - Bill 71 Tomorrow, Our Water April 17th

Wed Mar 6 12:29:14 EST 2019

Good day,

1) Bill 66 Update - The provincial government has finally scheduled Monday, March 18th to move Bill 66 to the General Government Committee and begin the process of removing Section 10 as well as hopefully addressing other issues with the Bill.  The government is moving on a rapid schedule so there is only going to be one limited day of hearings.  Several of our community groups have applied to appear at Queen’s Park before the committee.  Here are the instructions on how to apply to appear if you or your group is interested:

"There will be only one day of committee hearings on Monday March 18th in Toronto, with the deadline to apply to speak before the committee being this Friday March 8th at 10.00 am. If you do not want to appear before the committee, but simply want to provide a written submission, those are due on Monday March 18th at 6.00 pm. 

If you are interested in applying, I would encourage you to contact the Clerk of the General Government Committee:
(Committee contact info: comm-generalgov at ola.org <mailto:comm-generalgov at ola.org> | 416.325.3515)"

The standing committee will be accepting written submissions in advance of March 18th.  I strongly encourage your group to e-mail your concerns about Bill 66 (it can simply be a reprint of earlier submissions or letters) to the standing committee clerk at comm-generalgov at ola.org <mailto:comm-generalgov at ola.org>

2) Our Water, Our Future - the date of Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00pm has been chosen in lieu of the February date that was cancelled because of the weather.  A new Eventbrite page has been created and I encourage you to register early for this free event featuring speakers from Walkerton and CELA.  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>

3) Paris-Galt Moraine Act, Bill 71 - on Thursday, March 7th Mike Schreiner’s Paris-Galt Moraine Act will head for its second reading in the legislature from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.  It is fantastic to see this legislation similar to the Oak Ridges Moraine Act moving forward.  It is important that we try to build support for it as it would protect essential farmland, water and nature in this area.  The Wellington Water Watchers are encouraging people to join them at Queen’s Park, to watch live on-line, and to write to their MPP in support of this proposed Act.  You can learn more at:

	https://wellingtonwaterwatchers.nationbuilder.com/march7_pmb_queens_park <https://wellingtonwaterwatchers.nationbuilder.com/march7_pmb_queens_park>

Watch live on Facebook at:

	https://www.facebook.com/GreenPartyOntario/videos/388090195339387/ <https://www.facebook.com/GreenPartyOntario/videos/388090195339387/>

4) Labour Groups Call for Groups to Oppose Provincial Government - on Wednesday, March 20th at 5:30pm at the Ontario Federation of Labour Kitchener Office, 610 Wabanaki Drive, Kitchener local labour groups are hosting a meeting for all community groups concerned about recent provincial government activities.  Labelled the Waterloo Region Power of Many: Ford Fightback Activation Meeting, this is a unique opportunity for an even broader collection of groups in our community to work together on common issues and concerns.  You can learn more and register to attend at:

	https://www.oflevents.ca <https://www.oflevents.ca/>

5) Waterloo Region Health Coalition Event - please mark your calendars and save the date of Wednesday, March 27th for the Waterloo Health Coalition event at the Kitchener City Hall Rotunda.  Speakers and event details are being determined and there will be more information available soon.

6) Province “Opening Aggregates for Business” - In a very alarming announcement recently the province committed to promoting economic growth in the aggregate industry.  Below please find the announcement about “Ontario’s Government for the People Hosting Summit on Aggregate Reform.”  The idea of opening aggregates to business and making it even easier to destroy farmland, natural areas and water aquifers for aggregates is quite alarming.  Hopefully we can get some of our local groups to attend this March 29th summit event.  You can read the release below or at the following link:

	 https://news.ontario.ca/mnr/en/2019/02/ontario-committed-to-promoting-economic-growth-in-aggregate-industry.html <https://news.ontario.ca/mnr/en/2019/02/ontario-committed-to-promoting-economic-growth-in-aggregate-industry.html>

Please share any questions or ideas and hopefully we can continue to stand up for our community.

Cheers,
Kevin.

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Ontario Federation of Labour Fight Back Flyer (note the new date of Wednesday, March 20th at 5:30pm):

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Opening Aggregates for Business Announcement:

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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 <mailto:kevinthomason at mac.com>

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