[All] Reminder: *Urgent Action* Bill 23 Zoom Meeting Tonight at 5:30pm

Kevin Thomason kevinthomason at mac.com
Fri Nov 11 14:18:53 EST 2022


A quick reminder of our Zoom call tonight (Friday) at 5:30pm to organize and co-ordinate a local response to Bill 23, opening up the Greenbelt, and the dismantling of Regional Official Plans.

While each of these are different actions of the provincial government that are quite intertwined, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Waterloo Region stands to be disproportionally impacted because of our reliance on our strong Region of Waterloo government.  For example, while the removal of 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt is devastating, we potentially have almost 100,000 acres in our Regional Protected Countryside and Environmentally Sensitive Landscape designations that could be seriously impacted by provincial changes to our Regional structure.  Things such as our unique Countryside Line concept could be removed completely.

I increasingly believe that our groups need to reach all 600,000 residents of Waterloo Region over the coming week to make them aware of the scope and magnitude of the changes that could be coming and inspire them to action.  So much of what we have taken for granted for decades is in peril and the consequences will forever change our Region for the worse in the midst of a climate emergency.

A proposed agenda for the Zoom call is as follows:

	1) Logging on and Welcome - 5 minutes

	2) Recap of Primary Issues - 5 minutes
		a) Bill 23
		b) Greenbelt Take Out & Land Swaps
		c) Regional Official Plan Cancellations and Regional Governance Changes

	3) Discussion of Immediate Actions Required - 15 minutes
		a) Community Outreach - groups, community leaders, elected officials (current/former)
		b) E-mail to every citizen in Waterloo Region
		c) Media coverage, Op-Eds, etc.
		d) Letters, e-mails, calls to Premier, MPP’s, Cabinet
		e) Protests at local Conservative MPP Offices
		f) Radio Ads?
		g) General Strike?

	4) Next Steps - 5 minutes

	5) Other - 5 minutes

	6) Conclusion and Wrap Up

Since the call is planned for 5:30pm on Friday when people will be anxious to eat their dinner, I hope to keep the call short and focussed - 30 to 45 minutes to come up with a co-ordinated plan for the days ahead. The Zoom dial-in link is (addition details below):

	https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81411109656?pwd=WU9sS3RRcFJBTjYxeTAxZS9OS3JHZz09

Please share any questions or ideas, pass this invitation along to others, and I hope that you can join us at 5:30pm.

Cheers,
Kevin.

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

> On Nov 10, 2022, at 10:46 PM, Kevin Thomason <kevinthomason at mac.com> wrote:
> 
> Good Day,
> 
> The level of concerns and numbers of citizens reacting to Bill 23, the Greenbelt sell off, and the cancellation of Regional Official Plans continues to grow.  Provincial groups continue to organize and there will be a number of continuing announcements by the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance, 50x30, Environmental Defence, Ontario Nature, Water Watchers, the Ontario Headwaters Institute, and many others.
> 
> At the local level there will be a Zoom meeting on Friday, Nov 11th at 5:30pm to co-ordinate activities between our local groups and ensure consistent messaging.  Zoom details are as follows if you would like to join the meeting.  Please also feel free to invite others that you think would be interested:
> 
> 	Topic: Bill 23 Waterloo Region Planning Zoom Meeting
> 	Time: Nov 11, 2022 05:30 PM America/Toronto
> 
> 	Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81411109656?pwd=WU9sS3RRcFJBTjYxeTAxZS9OS3JHZz09 <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81411109656?pwd=WU9sS3RRcFJBTjYxeTAxZS9OS3JHZz09>
> 
> 	Meeting ID: 814 1110 9656
> 	Passcode: 310962
> 	One tap mobile  +17789072071,,81411109656#,,,,*310962# Canada
> 
> There are also rallies being organized at local Conservative MPP offices for the days ahead.  Details are below.
> 
> Finally, below is also an excellent overview of Bill 23 issues and actions we each need to be taking provided by Hamilton 350.  It is clear, concise, and easy to follow.
> 
> Please share any questions or ideas.  
> 
> Almost all of our work of the past 25 years+ is in jeopardy - be it source water protection, Environmentally Sensitive Landscapes, the Countryside Line, the Greenbelt, our visionary Regional Official Plan, and so much more.  We need to act immediately and speak up louder than ever.  Please do all that you can.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 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 <mailto:kevinthomason at mac.com>

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