[All] Very Concerning Bill 23

[Kevin Thomason]

Hi GREN folks,

By now you have likely heard about Bill 23 - a massive omnibus bill from Doug Ford’s provincial government that claims it will increase housing construction to levels of about 1.5 million new homes in the next 10 years.

However, the legislation stands to destroy so much of what has been responsible for our success here in Waterloo Region including the visionary Regional Official Plan that we have just completed, the Growth Plan, potentially our Countryside Line, the Grand River Conservation Authority, reducing parkland, and so many of other aspects of the good planning responsible for our success.

Unfortunately, I am currently in one of the most remote places on earth - a vast desert in Eastern Africa between Ethiopia and Somalia following Doctors Without Borders meetings.  I am extremely limited on what I can do from here with limited communications, security issues and plenty of travel challenges.  I do hope to be back in Canada by next week though.  Already groups across Ontario are rallying, educating and spreading the word.  Timelines are short but there are some impressive unprecedented alliances forming.

Please read, learn, and share what you can about Bill 23 and any ideas.  I will follow-up more on what GREN can be doing over the days ahead.

Sincerely,
Kevin.

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Kevin Thomason

Phone: (519) 888-0519
Mobile Phone: (519) 240-1648
E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com

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