[All] Bill 23, Greenbelt, ROP Group Update - Monday

Mon Nov 14 20:10:44 EST 2022

Good Day,

I didn’t intend to send an update on Bill 23, the Greenbelt destruction, and the threats to our Regional Planning so soon but there has been lots happening locally and across the province today that you should be aware of:

1) City of Waterloo Approves a Motion Against Bill 23! - In a surprise move (and after even denying some of our members the opportunity to appear before Waterloo City Council on Bill 23), the City of Waterloo introduced and approved a motion against Bill 23 this afternoon.  This will now send a strong message to Queen’s Park along with similar motions from York Region and the Town of Aurora.  I urge you to see if there are ways we can get our other local Councils to issue similar motions in the days ahead as well.

2) Big Tent Provincial Letter - There is a province wide initiative for a letter to the provincial government that local groups can sign onto.  A draft of the letter is below.  Any interested groups must complete this form <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0pZKvWovLdBC9-HVxmOeBsNr0T_S3S5CItjug1hgps0Bt1A/viewform?usp=sf_link> (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0pZKvWovLdBC9-HVxmOeBsNr0T_S3S5CItjug1hgps0Bt1A/viewform <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0pZKvWovLdBC9-HVxmOeBsNr0T_S3S5CItjug1hgps0Bt1A/viewform>) to sign on by Wednesday at 10am.

3) Lawn Signs - Kudos to Mike Marcolongo and our lawn sign team who finalized the designs today and hundreds of signs are currently being printed along with an additional anti-Bill 23 sticker that can be applied or used in other situations as well.  The final design is shown below.

4) Latest News Articles - The Toronto Star - Three Former Mayors of Toronto On Why The More Homes Built Faster Act Disempowers Municipalities - and needs a series rethink before proceeding:

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/11/14/three-former-mayors-of-toronto-on-why-the-more-homes-built-faster-act-disempowers-municipalities-and-needs-a-serious-rethink-before-proceeding.html <https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/11/14/three-former-mayors-of-toronto-on-why-the-more-homes-built-faster-act-disempowers-municipalities-and-needs-a-serious-rethink-before-proceeding.html>

5) Social Media - we still need people willing to help on Social Media and spread the word.  Environmental Defence has made available a whole bunch of graphics and other materials that you can share online at: https://yourstoprotect.ca/hands-off-the-greenbelt-digital-materials/ <https://yourstoprotect.ca/hands-off-the-greenbelt-digital-materials/>

6) Public Relations and Media Team - we need a team of people to work with our local media, educating them about these issues, building awareness, and encouraging them to write/broadcast about it.  Anyone who has any media contacts or PR knowledge please let me know and we can start the needed outreach.

7) Online Information and Resources - Congratulations to Hal Jaeger and Kitchener’s Olde Berlin Neighbourhood Association for compiling the best website of information and resources on Bill 23, the Greenbelt attack, and the Regional Planning threats that I have seen to date.  I urge you to visit it to learn more, easily fill out petitions, and access helpful resources:

	Olde Berlin Town Website - https://oldeberlintown.ca/information-about-proposed-bill-23/ <https://oldeberlintown.ca/information-about-proposed-bill-23/>

8) One Pager E-mail/Overview - our copywriting team is still busy working on the impactful messaging that we need - more details soon.

9) Our Radio Team - is meeting tonight to continue planning for the Radio Ads.  Thank you to everyone who has reached out with offers of support to help with the costs of advertising.  I will have  the instructions on how to donate in a day or so once the online donation website is set-up and working through the Small Change Fund who will double all donations received.

Please share any questions or ideas.  

Lets keep moving forward and see what we can accomplish!

Cheers,
Kevin.

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1) Pop Up Protests - Wed, November 16th - bring a friend, have fun making some signs, and join us!

2) Chosen design for lawn signs:

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Dates to Remember:

Wednesday, November 16th - Pop Up Protests 9am at Ted Arnott's Office in Fergus, 9am at Mike Harris Jr’s Office in Elmira, 1pm at Will Bouma’s Office in Brantford

Friday, November 18th - 5:30pm - Next group Zoom Update/Planning Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09 <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09>

Sunday, December 4th - Deadline for submissions to the Environmental Registry of Ontario - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6216 <https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6216>

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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.paccini 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>

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Resources:

- Association of Municipalities of Ontario – Unpacking Bill 23 <https://www.amo.on.ca/advocacy/health-human-services/unpacking-bill-23-more-homes-built-faster-act-2022> - 

	https://www.amo.on.ca/advocacy/health-human-services/unpacking-bill-23-more-homes-built-faster-act-2022 <https://www.amo.on.ca/advocacy/health-human-services/unpacking-bill-23-more-homes-built-faster-act-2022>
- Implications for planning at the municipal level: “Forget everything you thought you knew about planning approvals in Ontario…” <https://www.osler.com/en/resources/regulations/2022/forget-everything-you-thought-you-knew-about-planning-approvals-in-ontario%E2%80%A6>
	https://www.osler.com/en/resources/regulations/2022/forget-everything-you-thought-you-knew-about-planning-approvals-in-ontario <https://www.osler.com/en/resources/regulations/2022/forget-everything-you-thought-you-knew-about-planning-approvals-in-ontario>…

- Environmental Defence provides a detailed analysis here <https://environmentaldefence.ca/2022/10/31/ontarios-housing-bill-is-actually-a-trojan-horse-for-environmentally-catastrophic-rural-sprawl/> of how "Ontario’s Housing Bill is Actually a Trojan Horse for Environmentally Catastrophic Rural Sprawl” 

	https://environmentaldefence.ca/2022/10/31/ontarios-housing-bill-is-actually-a-trojan-horse-for-environmentally-catastrophic-rural-sprawl/ <https://environmentaldefence.ca/2022/10/31/ontarios-housing-bill-is-actually-a-trojan-horse-for-environmentally-catastrophic-rural-sprawl/>

- The Ontario Headwaters Institute calls out the need for Ontario to withdraw Bill 23 and shift to sustainable planning <https://act.newmode.net/action/ontario-headwaters-institute/ontario-must-withdraw-bill-23-and-shift-sustainable-planning>
	https://act.newmode.net/action/ontario-headwaters-institute/ontario-must-withdraw-bill-23-and-shift-sustainable-planning <https://act.newmode.net/action/ontario-headwaters-institute/ontario-must-withdraw-bill-23-and-shift-sustainable-planning>

- Bill 23 destroys existing affordable housing and builds more luxury condos. Scrap it now! <https://acorncanada.org/take_action/doug-fords-bill-23-destroys-existing-affordable-housing-builds-more-luxury-condos-scrap-it-now/> By ACORN Canada

	https://acorncanada.org/take_action/doug-fords-bill-23-destroys-existing-affordable-housing-builds-more-luxury-condos-scrap-it-now/ <https://acorncanada.org/take_action/doug-fords-bill-23-destroys-existing-affordable-housing-builds-more-luxury-condos-scrap-it-now/>

- Ottawa Citizen "With new 'More Homes' legislation, the province could knock down municipal efforts to create and protect affordable housing <https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-has-been-working-on-bylaws-to-address-renovictions-and-require-developers-to-provide-affordable-housing-now-the-ontario-government-is-stepping-in>"

	https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-has-been-working-on-bylaws-to-address-renovictions-and-require-developers-to-provide-affordable-housing-now-the-ontario-government-is-stepping-in <https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-has-been-working-on-bylaws-to-address-renovictions-and-require-developers-to-provide-affordable-housing-now-the-ontario-government-is-stepping-in>

 - The Record (Editorial View) "Ontario's housing plan needs work <https://www.therecord.com/opinion/editorials/2022/11/01/ontarios-housing-plan-needs-work.html>"

	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/editorials/2022/11/01/ontarios-housing-plan-needs-work.html <https://www.therecord.com/opinion/editorials/2022/11/01/ontarios-housing-plan-needs-work.html>

- The Record (Opinion) "Bill 23 is the wrong way to get more homes built <https://www.therecord.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editors/2022/11/01/bill-23-is-the-wrong-way-to-get-more-homes-built.html?rf>”

	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editors/2022/11/01/bill-23-is-the-wrong-way-to-get-more-homes-built.html <https://www.therecord.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editors/2022/11/01/bill-23-is-the-wrong-way-to-get-more-homes-built.html>
- Website Resources:

	-  50x30WR Website Listing Resources - https://www.50by30wr.ca/events <https://www.50by30wr.ca/events>

	- Olde Berlin Town Website Listing Resources - https://oldeberlintown.ca/information-about-proposed-bill-23/ <https://oldeberlintown.ca/information-about-proposed-bill-23/>
	- Yours to Protect Resources - https://yourstoprotect.ca/hands-off-the-greenbelt-digital-materials/ <https://yourstoprotect.ca/hands-off-the-greenbelt-digital-materials/>
-------------------------------------

Kevin Thomason
Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network

c/o 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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