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

Wed Nov 16 20:45:30 EST 2022

Good Evening,

Thanks to all the efforts and hard work from so many people, it is fantastic to see how much has been accomplished in one day! 

1) Breaking News - Province further gutting Regional Government - first some bad news though as Doug Ford continues his rampage against Regional governments with another announcement today that stands to further gut our very successful Region of Waterloo.  A copy of the government release is below and here is a Toronto Star article about it:
	 https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2022/11/16/doug-ford-tories-looking-to-revamp-regional-government-in-peel-york-halton-durham-niagara-and-waterloo.html <https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2022/11/16/doug-ford-tories-looking-to-revamp-regional-government-in-peel-york-halton-durham-niagara-and-waterloo.html>

2) Local PopUp Rally's - On a more positive note, kudos to all the people who showed up today at our local protests at Conservative MPP offices in Elmira, Fergus, and Brantford.  It was fantastic to see turnouts of dozens of people at every protest, the energy, passion, and creativity with signage.  We had media present, a press release sent afterwards, and continuing media follow-up about the issues of Bill 23, the Greenbelt, and Regional Planning cuts.

Congratulations for coverage already in the Elora/Fergus Today newspaper: https://www.elorafergustoday.com/local-news/video-greenbelt-protesters-march-through-downtown-fergus-6112625 <https://www.elorafergustoday.com/local-news/video-greenbelt-protesters-march-through-downtown-fergus-6112625>

Some photos are below.  Also, there are more protests being organized across the province (more than 30 at last count).  See this online tool to learn more about when and where the protests are happening and please join in if you can - https://environmentaldefence.ca/handsoffthegreenbelt/ <https://environmentaldefence.ca/handsoffthegreenbelt/>

3) Radio Ads - Our Radio Team met with the provincial Radio Group at lunch today and discussed planning for radio ads across the province in the days ahead.  Our radio fundraising site is live and working now.  Please visit https://smallchangefund.ca/project/protect-the-greenbelt-and-visionary-regional-planning-in-the-grand-river-watershed/ <https://smallchangefund.ca/project/protect-the-greenbelt-and-visionary-regional-planning-in-the-grand-river-watershed/> and be one of the first to donate!

4) Lawn Signs - our new lawn signs should be ready in the next day or two.  Please contact Mike Marcolongo at lizandmichele at yahoo.ca <mailto:lizandmichele at yahoo.ca> if you can help distribute signs or help as a sign captain in your community.

5) Standing Committee Bill 23 Deadline - the deadline to submit comments to the Provincial Standing Committee on Bill 23 is tomorrow - November 17th at 7pm.  Please submit comments either a) At the Official Government Site - https://www.ola.org/en/apply-committees <https://www.ola.org/en/apply-committees>

	or b) Through the very quick and easy Leadnow submission engine - https://act.leadnow.ca/bill-23-comments/ <https://act.leadnow.ca/bill-23-comments/>

6) Keep Informing Others and Posting on Social Media - a reminder that we need to raise awareness and inform as many citizens as possible about these actions being undertaken by the Ford government.  Attached below are the three different versions of a one pager/e-mail that you can use to send to friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues about Bill 23, the Greenbelt and the destruction of Regional Planning.

7) E-mail Elected Officials Easily - a reminder that the amazing tools for sending customized e-mails to the Premier, Cabinet, local MPPs and Regional Officials is up and running.  
	- For Region of Waterloo Residents concerned about Regional Planning changes and the destruction of our Regional Official Plan please visit www.holdthelinewr.org <http://www.holdthelinewr.org/>.
	- For residents in Guelph, Brantford and other parts of the Grand River Watershed more focussed on the Bill 23 and the Greenbelt please visit - https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/take_action_on_bill_23? <https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/take_action_on_bill_23?>

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

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2) November 16th Provincial Announcement Further Gutting Regional Government

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Taking Next Steps to Expand Strong Mayor Powers and Tackle the Housing Supply Crisis

Province introduces further measures to deliver on shared provincial-municipal priorities

November 16, 2022
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing <>	

TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government introduced the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022 <>, which, if passed, would take decisive action to address the housing supply crisis by assessing how best to extend strong mayor powers and reduce municipal duplication to deliver on shared provincial-municipal priorities – primarily the building of 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years.

As the province considers how to best extend strong mayor tools to more of Ontario’s rapidly growing municipalities, provincially-appointed facilitators will be tasked with assessing the regional governments in Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York. These facilitators will work with local governments to assess the best mix of roles and responsibilities between upper and lower-tier municipalities and ensure they are equipped to deliver on the government’s commitment to tackle the housing supply crisis.

The proposed legislation would allow the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint the Regional Chairs of Niagara, Peel and York regions for the current term of council. If these proposals are passed, the Minister intends to re-appoint the existing regional chairs – Jim Bradley in Niagara, Nando Iannicca in Peel, and Wayne Emerson in York. This approach will provide continuity and stability at the regional level as facilitators consider how best to extend strong mayor powers to existing two-tier municipalities that are shovel-ready and committed to growth and cutting red tape.

The proposed legislation would also implement additional changes to enable the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa to propose certain municipal by-laws related to provincial priorities and enable council to pass these by-laws if more than one-third of council members vote in favour. Provincial priorities include building more homes, which could, for example, involve expanding the footprint of transit-oriented communities <> so more people can live, work and play near the convenience of public transit.

“These bold actions are necessary if our government is to keep its commitment to Ontarians and remove the obstacles standing in the way of much-needed housing,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That’s why we are again taking decisive action to provide municipal leaders the tools they need to plan for future population growth and get more homes built faster.”

These changes are the latest in a series of measures Ontario is taking to address the province’s serious shortage of housing. These measures include the More Homes Built Faster Act, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act and previous housing supply action plans. The government is committed to continued action that will end the supply crisis while ensuring continuity and efficiency at the local level. The government also remains committed to supporting our municipal partners, increasing housing supply and ensuring municipalities have the tools they need to deliver on shared provincial-municipal priorities.

“Today’s announcement by the provincial government is a positive step toward reforming local government in a manner that addresses the concerns of Mississaugans,” said Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga. “I’m confident this assessment will create a path for Mississauga’s independence and lead to greater fairness and less red tape for residents and businesses, so both the city and province can plan for future growth and support the province’s goal of building 120,000 new homes in Mississauga over the next decade.”

“Redundancy is the enemy of productivity,” said Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton. “I am glad the provincial government is looking at ways to make municipalities in Peel more efficient by removing duplication. This will help address the challenges of growth and support the construction of the homes Brampton residents so desperately need.”

Quick Facts
Existing municipal accountability frameworks would continue to apply to heads of council with strong mayor powers, including conflict of interest rules. Heads of council would also be required to provide council and the clerk a copy of the by-law and reasons for the proposal when using the proposed by-law power. 
The Municipal Act and the City of Toronto Act provide Ontario’s municipalities with broad powers to pass by-laws on various matters within their jurisdiction – such as zoning, parking, and the delivery of local services. 
Ontario’s first housing plan, More Homes, More Choice <> was released in 2019. It was followed by More Homes for Everyone <> in spring 2022. Ontario is seeing strong progress <> resulting from these plans, with annual housing starts well above average for the past 30 years. 
The government is committed to developing a new housing supply action plan for every year of its current mandate to continue delivering real, long-term housing solutions.

Additional Resources
Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act <>
Ontario’s More Homes Built Faster Plan <>
More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 <>
Ontario’s Housing Supply Progress <>
Ontario’s More Homes for Everyone Plan <>
More Homes, More Choice <>
------------------------------------------------

3) Photos from Today’s Elmira, Brantford, and Fergus PopUp Rally's

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Dates to Remember:

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/>

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

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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