[All] Bill 23, Greenbelt, ROP Update - Tuesday

Tue Nov 15 20:21:24 EST 2022

Good Evening,

It is incredible to see everything that is being accomplished to stand up for our communities by pushing back against Bill 23 and all the other changes the provincial government is trying to force on us.

1) Start Sending E-mails! - Our copywriting team has completed different versions of a one pager/e-mail that you can use to reach out to all of your contacts, raise awareness, and get them to send an e-mail to our elected officials to stop Bill 23.  Thanks to Kae, Caterina, Susan, and others for the fast work and tough assignment of communicating complex issues simply.

Attached below for the folks in Waterloo Region where so much is at stake with our Official Plan being threatened by the province are three letter variations - one conversational, one data driven, and third in a bullet point format.  Select the one that most matches your style and customize it as you like before sending it to friends, family, neighbours, colleagues, and anyone you know who should be aware of what is happening.  Each letter will direct them to the Hold the Line engagement engine where they can be automatically guided through sending a letter to Regional and Provincial officials.

For folks elsewhere in the Grand River Watershed such as Guelph and Brantford who don’t face the issues that Waterloo Region is facing with the destruction of its Regional Official Plan, there is a great letter and automatic e-mail engine set up by the Water Watchers where you will be guided through sending a letter focussed on Bill 23 at: https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/take_action_on_bill_23? <https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/take_action_on_bill_23?>

2) The Hold the Line Engagement Engine is Working! - Kudos to the amazing team at Hold The Line Waterloo Region who have updated their Engagement Engine for Bill 23 and our Regional Official Plan challenges.  Quickly send a customized e-mail to the Premier, Cabinet, local MPPs and Regional Officials.  Check it out at www.holdthelinewr.org <http://www.holdthelinewr.org/> and spread the word!

3) Burlington and Collingwood Pass Motions Against Bill 23 - Continuing the momentum from York Region and the City of Waterloo yesterday, Burlington and Collingwood have each passed motions against Bill 23 - https://mariannemeedward.ca/burlington-council-unanimously-passes-bill-23-resolution-asking-for-extended-commenting-periods-for-legislative-changes-more-fulsome-municipal-consultations/ <https://mariannemeedward.ca/burlington-council-unanimously-passes-bill-23-resolution-asking-for-extended-commenting-periods-for-legislative-changes-more-fulsome-municipal-consultations/>

Kudos to members of our group in Guelph who have been able to get the City of Guelph to consider a motion against Bill 23 at the upcoming council meeting on Tuesday, November 22nd at 10am.  Join them to show support and ask Guelph Councillors to join other communities standing up against Bill 23.  Please also consider approaching other area municipalities to work on additional municipal motions against Bill 23 too.

4) Recent media coverage - has included an excellent interview on CBC Radio in Kitchener by Expert Planner Kevin Eby - Former urban planner is mystified the province is opening up the Greenbelt for development | The Morning Edition - K-W with Craig Norris | Live Radio | CBC Listen <https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-104/clip/15948572> 

And also an article about Bill 23 in the Brantford Expositor - Brantford Expositor - https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/conservation-coalition-says-provinces-greenbelt-plan-doesnt-add-up <https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/conservation-coalition-says-provinces-greenbelt-plan-doesnt-add-up>

We need more press coverage to increase awareness so please consider reaching out to local media, drafting letters to the editor as well as writing Op-Ed pieces.

5) Radio Ads - our Radio Ads donation page is under construction and should be working by Wednesday.  Also on Wednesday our Radio Team is meeting with GTA Groups to jointly work on Radio Ads.  We’ll keep you posted.

6) Impressive New Resources - Kudos to the team at 50x30WR for the creation of a really impressive and informative website on Bill 23 - https://www.againstbill23.com <https://www.againstbill23.com/>

Also be sure to check out all the tools and resources available from the incredible Water Watchers - https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/pushback_on_bill_23 <https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/pushback_on_bill_23>

7) List of Our Teams, Resources and Contact Information - thanks to Steve Bottoms who has compiled this handy resource for our group listing our teams, resources, and contact information.  It is attached below and also available online at:   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i8sBImfGcZCXpqF8q8rOXegWn9FOEvaq/edit <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i8sBImfGcZCXpqF8q8rOXegWn9FOEvaq/edit>

8) Lawn Signs - Our lawn signs are already in production and 300 should be available by the end of the week.  A sample of the design is attached below.  We have volunteers already for Guelph, Halton, and Brantford but will need sign captains for Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and elsewhere.  Please contact Mike Marcolongo (lizandmichele at yahoo.ca <mailto:lizandmichele at yahoo.ca>) if you are able to assist in any of these areas.

9) Big Tent Provincial Letter - A reminder that Wednesday at 10am is the deadline to have your group sign onto a province wide initiative for a letter to the provincial government. A copy of the letter is below.  Interested groups need to complete this form 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>).

10) Rally Reminder - Tomorrow!!!!! - Please join us if you can at the Pop-Up 30 minute rallies planned for Fergus, Elmira and Brantford on Wednesday at our Conservative MPP offices.  Details are below.  It should be a lot of fun so bring a friend, be creative making signs, and lets send a clear message to our elected representatives.

Please share any questions or ideas and lets keep up the incredible work!!!

Cheers,
Kevin.

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1) One-Pager/E-mail Versions - select your favourite, customize as you like and send to everyone in your address book you think should be aware of Bill 23.

a) Conversational Style Version

b) Data/Fact Driven Style Version

c) Bullet Point Version

2) Big Tent Provincial Letter - ensure your group signs on!

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

4) Chosen design for lawn signs:

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5) Our Group Team Information, Resources, etc.

Google drive: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i8sBImfGcZCXpqF8q8rOXegWn9FOEvaq/edit <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i8sBImfGcZCXpqF8q8rOXegWn9FOEvaq/edit>

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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

Thursday, November 17th - Deadline for submissions to the Standing Committee on Bill 23 - https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/how_to_make_a_submission_to_bill_23 <https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/how_to_make_a_submission_to_bill_23>

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>

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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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

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