[All] Minutes from March GREN Meeting

Mon Mar 11 17:47:00 EDT 2019

Here they are, attached and below.

GREN Minutes March 5, 2019

Christian Science Sunday School, 64 Water St. N, Kitchener

John Jackson announced good news: Anne Ehrlich from Concerned Citizens of Brant (COBB) contacted him today to report that Brant County Council voted unanimously to pay off the remainder of the COBB’s debt for consultants for their failed court effort last year to prevent aggregate washing in Paris that pose a contamination threat to local water.

Hidden Valley Update - Deaun   The GREN subcommittee on Hidden Valley met with Brendan Sloane, planner with the City of Kitchener, to discuss the community plan for the Hidden Valley area He faces constraints on the amount of Hidden Valley that can be protected because the River Road extension has been approved. Some want to develop the cornfield part, but it would be very expensive to service, and servicing would have to go through protected land. The EIS has yet to be done, and the subwatershed study is not complete. Deaun will continue as GREN’s link on this issue. Everyone will be notified when this matter comes up for comment again and to Kitchener Council.

It was noted that federal money is becoming available which could make it possible to consider buying the land from the developer and form a land trust, perhaps spearheaded by RARE. Greg is the GREN representative on the Region’s land trust committee and says it’s complicated. The land is expensive, it’s not clear if matching funds are required, and funds are required for long-term stewardship.

Responses to Provincial Actions and Plans

  *   Report on Dianne Saxe meeting of Jan. 15 – Laura Hamilton -- Great response on evaluations; 90-some responses, almost all very positive; included commitments to action. Suggested improvements—a stretch break, more time for questions. $308 actual dollars were spent, but including volunteer donations of time and goods, the event “cost” over $2000. Fantastic event. GREN spent $108 on this event for the insurance for the City Hall Rotunda.

  *   The Our Water—Our Future event that was scheduled for Feb. 7 but postponed due to bad weather is now scheduled for  April 17—with same speakers except for Wellington Water Watchers. People can register now on Event Brite and promote the event. Laura will replace Greg as contact person with the church while he is away

  *   Bill 66 Actions--Kevin's update---The Minister agreed to revoke section 10. The house announced today that there will be one day of hearings on the whole bill at standing committee. Must apply to speak by March 8 at 1p.m. Speakers get 6 minutes. Written comments may be submitted until March 18. This is an important time to raise concerns about section 5 of Bill 66 which would repeal the Toxics Reduction Act.

Contact for the Standing Committee on General Government:

C/o William Short, Committee clerk

comm-generalgov at ola.org<mailto:comm-generalgov at ola.org>

99 Wellesley St. W.

Tel: 416-325-3515

Kevin has been doing great email updates to keep our coalition of groups working together--very important. He will continue to do so.

March 7--2nd reading of Paris-Galt Moraine bill (instituted by Wellington Water Watchers)

March 24--Labour groups very active trying to get everyone together.

March 26--Health Care folks rallying at Kitchener Rotunda as the province wants public/private partnership in health care.

  1.  Greg noted that the intention of the proposed revisions to the Endangered Species Act is all about efficiencies and the economy, making a weak act weaker.

  *   Meeting with Mike Harris – Susan B. and Kevin. Elmira APT member Sandra Bray organized a meeting with the MPP, attended by Kevin, Susan and Sandra. Kevin noted our concerns with Section 10 of Bill 66 and the lack of public consultation. Harris responded that the government is not required to consult. Susan noted our concerns with repealing the Toxics Reduction Act and the possible negative effect on the current local action to get Uniroyal toxins (DDT and dioxins) out of the Elmira creek. Harris was responsive, asking for more detail on the Elmira water remediation. Susan will prepare a brief for him. Sandra offered a tour of the Region to Harris and other MPPs.

  *   Radioactive Waste issue - John. OPG has made an agreement with the Saugeen Nation that the proposal for a deep repository for radioactive waste won't go ahead without their agreement. Thus the decision on the DGR near Kincardine is on hold while the discussions with the Saugeen Nation continue.

  *   Status of Video of Partnering with Nature Event on October 16, 2018 – Susan B.  Laurel Jonkman videoed the event and has volunteered to edit and make the video available when she has time. She’s currently busy with Green Party work.

Treasurer's report – Greg. We have about $1600.00. Membership dues are $20 for individuals and families, $10 for students.

GREN Website - We need someone to keep the website updated. Deaun has contacts and will try to find someone. We can pay $300-500.

GREN organizational structure—John – Is there anything we want to change?

 1)  Need to get some youthful people involved for GREN succession.

2) Need to get more heavily involved with people working on non-environment issues.

3) Need a GREN display to make us more visible at events, etc.

Greg proposed we have a meeting in 6 weeks just to discuss the first two issues. A big question is whether GREN members, busy with their own efforts, have the time and energy to broaden our efforts. April 30 was proposed for the meeting. We’ll check this date with our paid members and see if that date works..

The Bleams Road and Good Green Death issues were dropped from agenda since Susan K could not attend the meeting.

Minutes by Susan Bryant, shbryant at uwaterloo.ca

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