[All] This Place Matters - Speak Up Before Deadline

[Kevin Thomason]

Good Day,

There are some important deadlines rapidly approaching:

1) Paris Galt Moraine Greenbelt Expansion Feedback - we only have until this Saturday, April 23rd to provide feedback to the provincial government on their plan to cancel Greenbelt expansion plans for the Paris-Galt Moraine and instead pursue a tiny expansion of some already protected creeks in the GTA through Urban River Valley’s (URV’s). 

We can join with the very disappointed folks in Guelph, Wellington, and Brantford by simply submitting a photo of your favourite natural area needing Greenbelt protection with the caption “This Place Matters”.

Learn more and submit your comments/photos at:  Environmental Registry of Ontario - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-4485 <https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-4485>


2) OGA Letter - The Ontario Greenbelt Alliance has drafted an excellent letter about the totally inadequate Greenbelt expansion announcement (attached below).  If you or your group would like to sign on to it please complete the online form before the end of today at: https://bit.ly/386pDfa <https://bit.ly/386pDfa>.  You can also use components of letter as a basis for your own submissions.

	

3) David Crombie Greenbelt/Hwy 413 Webinar - tonight (Wednesday, April 20th) at 7:00pm is an excellent webinar with leading speakers such as Dr. Ken Greenberg, Gideon Foreman, Anne Erlich, Victor Doyle, and others speaking about Highway 413, the Greenbelt, and the pending elections.  Please register at: 

	https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5016497049812/WN_OyWSV15mTPyVSV7Ed5pydw <https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5016497049812/WN_OyWSV15mTPyVSV7Ed5pydw>


4) Regional Official Plan Public Consultation Sessions - the first two public engagement sessions for the Waterloo ROP Update where Regional Staff will discuss the three proposed Growth Options and answer questions have been announced.  It is extremely important that we speak up for the future that we want to see.  Currently the options include:

	1) Scenario #1 - paving over more than 5,500 acres of farmland and breaching the Countryside Line in numerous places, 
	2) Scenario #2 - destroying about 1,000 acres of greenspace for sprawl in only some municipalities,
	3) Scenario #3 - staying within our existing urban boundaries with 0 acres of farmland loss and more sustainable growth in existing urban areas.

Sign up for either virtual Zoom webinar being hosted by Regional Staff at:

	1) Friday, April 22nd from 10:00am to 12:00noon - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqf-GgrDgqGdfANMU2iEWCPOk3bIfTDwf8 <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqf-GgrDgqGdfANMU2iEWCPOk3bIfTDwf8>

	2) Monday, April 25th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvfu2uqjgoG91cTWxdVaBi_Ritpar8mA67 <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvfu2uqjgoG91cTWxdVaBi_Ritpar8mA67>


5) WWW 15th Party! - The Wellington Water Watchers are celebrating their 15th anniversary.  Join the fun and celebrations on Tuesday, April 26th at 7:00pm online - register at:  https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/water_watchers_birthday_party <https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/water_watchers_birthday_party>


6) Home Energy Efficiency Webinar - The Nith Valley Ecoboosters continue their excellent Let’s Talk speaking series with an event on Home Energy Use and Improving Energy Efficiency on Thursday, April 28th at 7:00pm - register to attend at: https://bit.ly/yhenergyuse <https://bit.ly/yhenergyuse>


So there is lots happening around the community in addition to all the preparations for the upcoming elections.  Be sure to get out, get involved, and advocate for a better future.

Cheers,
Kevin.

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

Kevin Thomason

1115 Cedar Grove Road
Waterloo, Ontario Canada  N2J 3Z4

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

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