[All] Bill 23, Greenbelt, and Regional Planning Update - Sunday Dec 18th

Sun Dec 18 15:36:42 EST 2022

Good Day!

It’s fantastic to hear of all the ongoing actions to stand up for our local Planning, Greenbelt, Conservation Authorities, Green Development Standards, and so much of what we are going to need for the future that is currently under attack by Doug Ford and our Conservative MPPs.

It’s so encouraging to see the door-to-door canvassing, handing out flyers in supermarket parking lots, the hundreds of new lawn signs still going up, the radio ads appearing on new stations, and all the ongoing media coverage.

1) Official Plan ERO Submissions - we only have until 11:59pm on January 4th to get as many supportive submissions as possible into the Environmental Registry of Ontario to help encourage the government to approve the Region of Waterloo Official Plan and the County of Wellington Official Plan without any changes by the Minister such as the massive amounts of sprawl Minister Clark has forced in Halton and Hamilton’s Official Plans.

	Region of Waterloo - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5952 <https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5952>
	County of Wellington - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5635 <https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5635>

It’s an easy process to submit comments and you don’t need to be an expert - just a citizen of Ontario or group/organization.  Please speak up and encourage others you know to submit comments supporting these Official Plans that have already been unanimously approved by our local municipalities.

2) Detailed Waterloo ROP ERO Submission - attached below please find a copy of the submission to the ERO prepared by Kevin Eby, Mark Reusser, and myself building the case for why our visionary Regional Official Plan should be approved intact and without any of the changes and urban sprawl that the province is forcing elsewhere in Ontario.  Please feel free to leverage any of the information and concepts it contains in your own submissions to the ERO.

3) Friends of GGH and ALO Newsletter - attached below is the latest version of the Friends of the Greater Golden Horseshoe newsletter.  This group of provincial experts lead by former Toronto Mayor David Crombie provides one of the best and succinct overviews of Bill 23 impacts that I have seen.  It also contains good information on the new Alliance for a Liveable Ontario group that will be working on long-term initiatives and how you as well as your group can join.

4) Recent media articles - well written and informative articles, editorials and op-ed pieces continue in the media.  Please continue to write and help to inform others:

	https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/first-nation-ontario-housing-bill-greenbelt-1.6684127

	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/waterloo-mayor-raises-concerns-over-more-homes-built-faster-act-6253990

	https://www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/regional-councilor-calls-out-province-for-picking-favourites-6255639

	https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-developers-conservation-authorities/

	https://torontosun.com/life/homes/dont-touch-the-greenbelt-advises-planning-group

	Finally a great overview of all of the actions that Ford is taking against the environment in Ontario - https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-environment-ford-explainer/

5) Corporations Against Bill 23 - if you have a company or can sign on behalf of your company you have until Monday to sign a petition of Ontario businesses against Bill 23:

	https://blocalontario.com/initiatives/support-greenbelt

6) Greenbelt Guardians - “Do You See What I See?” - a new action advocacy group is forming to take a very proactive stance against any construction or destructive activity in the Greenbelt.  Join Isaiah Ritzmann and Kim Bradshaw this coming Tuesday, December 20th at 7:00pm online to learn more.  Register at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/do-you-see-what-i-see-do-you-hear-what-i-hear-tickets-491077184077?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

7) Festive Music Against Doug Ford - As the holidays approach the great folks at Environmental Defence have created a way for you to advocate for a Greener Ontario and get into a festive vibe by singing along with the 12 Acts of Destruction Carol.

	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU_oR22Gapc
 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU_oR22Gapc>
	HOW TO PARTICIPATE
	1. You can record yourself and/or your friends and family singing the song and post it on social media.

	2. You can attend in-person carolling at Old City Hall in Toronto on Wednesday December 21 at 5PM.  Join Environmental Defence, the Raging Grannies and other activists for a 	quick, fun sing-a-long.  Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/checkpoint/260950855804872/ <https://www.facebook.com/checkpoint/260950855804872/>

	3. You can plan your own pop-up carolling and put it on our map.  Just recording three or four people singing outside your local MPPs office for five minutes and posting it on social media is a quick and easy way to join in -- which could scale up if other decide to join you.  Register your event here: https://tessa014321.typeform.com/to/L3NqnXrd?typeform-source=environmentaldefence.ca <https://tessa014321.typeform.com/to/L3NqnXrd?typeform-source=environmentaldefence.ca>

8) Labor Uniting on January 28th - looking towards the longer-term and with a provincial perspective, the Ontario Federation of Labour is going to be launching a new campaign - Enough is Enough on January 28th - learn more (information below) and join the protests - https://ofl.ca/event/eie-kickoff/

9) Rise Up Ontario - realizing that the concerning actions of Premier Doug Ford go further than just impacting the environment and stand to devastate the core fundamentals of democracy in Ontario local groups are looking at campaigning on a broader scale.  As mentioned during Friday’s update call a great leaflet has been prepared by Dorothy and Andy Wilson of the Nith Valley Ecoboosters and is attached below.  Please reach out them or myself with questions or ideas on how we can stand up for democracy.

10) No Meeting This Friday - due to the proximity to the festive holidays we are going to take this Friday, Dec 23rd off and resume our next Friday, 5:30pm Update Meeting on Friday, December 30th - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09 <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09>

Thanks for all the great efforts so far.  Please share any questions or ideas.

Cheers,
Kevin Thomason and Mike Marcolongo on behalf of all our community groups.

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A) Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 20th at 7:00pm  - Greenbelt Guardians Inaugural Meeting - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/do-you-see-what-i-see-do-you-hear-what-i-hear-tickets-491077184077

Wednesday. December 21st at 5:00pm - Rally and Singing Protest at Old City Hall in Toronto 

Friday, December 30th - 5:30pm - Update Zoom Call - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09 <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09>

Wednesday, January 4th - 11:59pm - Deadline for submissions to the Environmental Registry of Ontario for Region of Waterloo and Wellington County Official Plans:
	Region of Waterloo - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5952 <https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5952>
	County of Wellington - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5635 <https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5635>

Wednesday, January 28th - Enough is Enough Provincial events against Doug Ford - https://ofl.ca/event/eie-kickoff/

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B) Detailed Submission to Waterloo ROP ERO - use this document to help inform your own submissions prior to January 4th.

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C) Friends of the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Alliance for a Liveable Ontario Newsletter #4

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D) Rise Up Ontario - Democracy Handout

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E) The Next Step to Fight Ford - Ontario Federation of Labour
 <https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/BqA3LhzOFl92KwaVoz69N9eHS8TxCz0tuecet_ScBXIjzDKwejVO8tHs4UCaNPTmLjueeKs2tX_KZd1lGRO8qZ1tgmbzmvSU6ruX-Z0Se6bVeeWPUwFskQuCVc1TslcrGklAi82uLolyuMUkhplfypdNZTyPe7wRvZZkhlzmOIzFwFQfQJuodY_i_aVgrfxAmeg7z_b5KTCEjm4LZPIP7-sycHHkbaHp2RfPn2BsY9fb7EN2urFryuqHHWS1ERA8/3s1/Y2lTXzfyQVO5hc1nXhSQ8Q/h4/hXZ6nvw6Jj3VTdOA-rhtMHIgfQC6Ei-oPpqXxLkMZe0>The strength of our collective power has never been clearer than over the past few months. Together, we repealed Bill 28, and we made our voices heard loud and clear: we will not accept any attack on workers’ rights.

But the reality is, too many Ontarians are still struggling. From the health care crisis to the cost-of-living crisis, things are too hard for too many. So, we’re saying: Enough is Enough <https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/BqA3LhzOFl92KwaVoz69N9eHS8TxCz0tuecet_ScBXIjzDKwejVO8tHs4UCaNPTmpMiP59-mrHFFl73xMjtzAuuLxOIme3Xw-JUKnhcmcPMa-eEBA2AypEbxg7msxVPlMripjI84Vo7PJf7z0lqYZkun94JWfSbc0gbF_Mo04Cl82zX0Ah7ybjdoB8EVyjk9gN3ii3B84JHDmaI1iYJ-m95uyPXo5iJIqR8TYfSUYRIt2q3ROjN8ZpNk7Z1QqaFm/3s1/Y2lTXzfyQVO5hc1nXhSQ8Q/h5/s5zHLuSGu4dFxx6Lapp7t7YJxmCLF9vC54ONDonGqGE>.

On January 28, join us online to launch a new campaign about how to fight for, and win, the Ontario we need. Learn more and RSVP here <https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/BqA3LhzOFl92KwaVoz69N9eHS8TxCz0tuecet_ScBXIjzDKwejVO8tHs4UCaNPTmfgbayUgbDkz-XM33CMsW-S7t0_IHxv31j284h7W0dPMr_d0J0npV1gLi-0DpFgM7SJlsRz4NdBUOPCdc-HcXNN4-Jp0RQN-BLHAsM7ktzXpTQSh_XE9uX_mqwovX5a1PKEY8CyGJqntLAqFmDcfc0FHi-1phHiJIEQYyCW5qYTvtQBkL_ko6-su8uIeoMqwC/3s1/Y2lTXzfyQVO5hc1nXhSQ8Q/h6/WBDGkXqmAZ00yO6Rnw-HMwCEP0Fiy16rm7M1-54oUFI>. https://ofl.ca/event/eie-kickoff/

 <https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/BqA3LhzOFl92KwaVoz69NyhRZe8LSM7aux_h9_hfWErSeY0E6Osr1xbzY3Zfgs2G3xfTONgttslo67EM7YA9lR93cg_u8dXZZnzrRmO6jOOVl0rZzCwvfI4hQ5cNaMnakY0RwgJgjXxA9vqLe3zj0kwkyCDStcWN88CYoNybL2gLgXKiFc2h6zhmSsd2XkDPUQdTWHNQKe40L8gywCalsb8RXs4l0Agt5bIEU_KP1ZFP7PH3ntgpe9U2TpGvueq_/3s1/Y2lTXzfyQVO5hc1nXhSQ8Q/h7/M0MtreX__Pgicyr4l4XfxgZFR7stas_Uj8XsBQvd97o>

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F) Speak Up and Ensure Your Voice is Heard:

Premier Doug Ford - doug.fordco at pc.ola.org <mailto:doug.fordco at pc.ola.org> or 416-325-1941
Steve Clark - Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing - steve.clark at pc.ola.org <mailto:steve.clark at pc.ola.org> or 416-585-7214
David Piccini - Minster of Environment, Conservation and Parks - david.piccini at pc.ola.org <mailto:david.paccini at pc.ola.org> or 905-372-4000
Todd Smith - Minister of Energy - todd.smith at pc.ola.org <mailto:todd.smith at pc.ola.org> or 613-962-1144
Michael Parsa - Associate Minister of Housing - michael.parsaco at pc.ola.org <mailto:michael.parsaco at pc.ola.org>

Local Conservative MPPs:
Mike Harris Jr - MPP Kitchener-Conestoga - mike.harris at pc.ola.org <mailto:mike.harris at pc.ola.org> or 519-669-2090
Brian Riddell - MPP Cambridge - brian.riddell at pc.ola.org <mailto:brian.riddell at pc.ola.org> or 519-650-2770
Jess Dixon - MPP Kitchener South - jess.dixon at pc.ola.org <mailto:jess.dixon at pc.ola.org> or 519-650-9413

Local NDP MPPs:
Catherine Fife - MPP Waterloo - cfife-qp at ndp.on.ca <mailto:cfife-qp at ndp.on.ca> or 519-725-3477
Laura Mae Lindo - MPP Kitchener Centre - llindo-qp at ndp.on.ca <mailto:llindo-qp at ndp.on.ca> or 519-579-5460

Or use the Hold The Line Waterloo Region engagement engine to automatically address and send an e-mail you help to draft: www.holdthelinewr.org <http://www.holdthelinewr.org/>

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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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