[All] Bill 23, Bill 97, Regional Planning, PPS Updates - Meeting Friday, July 21st at 5:30pm
Kevin Thomason
kevinthomason at mac.com
Thu Jul 20 22:24:37 EDT 2023
Good Day,
A reminder of our regular update meeting tomorrow - Friday, July 21st at 5:30pm on Zoom where we hope that you will join us to discuss recent events and plan for the upcoming rally: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09 Hopefully you will be able to join us.
Here’s the latest:
1) Progress on Rural Severances Cancellation? - Ontario Farmland Trust is reporting that at their recent meeting with provincial ministers the provincial government was the clearest that they have been about cancelling the proposed PPS lot severance polices that would permit 3 severances and up to 12 homes on every rural property. This is great news, however we know this provincial government is beholden to developers and has been doing everything possible to develop rural lands. There is a chance that they remove it only from prime farmland but still leave it in place for other rural lands or all kinds of other sneaky variations that could be attempted. We need to continue to send a strong message with our upcoming rally and as many submission to the ERO by August 4th as possible. Read the Ontario Farmland Trust update here:
https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2023/07/14/an-update-regarding-the-proposed-provincial-planning-statement/
2) Speak Up By August 4th - Feedback to the government regarding the rural severances, new PPS, natural heritage system changes, and agricultural system update needs to be submitted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) and our MPPs by August 4th. There has been strong feedback from municipalities and our groups need to be responding as well. In the appendix of this e-mail there is a document from Ontario Nature with talking points that you can use for your submission.
It’s fast and easy to submit a comment to the ERO. Please do so right now even if it is only a couple of sentences at:
https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6813
3) Rally Against The Big Sprawl and Picnic - Saturday, July 29th - Our Rally Committee continues planning our next rally for Saturday, July 29th in advance of the August 4th PPS ERO deadline. It is fantastic to see a wide variety of community groups - including ACORN, Hold The Line, The Council of Canadians, and others joining with us for this fun summer event.
A fantastic website has been built that can be found at:
https://stopsprawlwr.wixsite.com/rally or https://www.50by30wr.ca/
The poster and social media graphics are attached below. The plan is to rally along University Avenue West adjacent to the University of Waterloo starting at 2:00pm and then move to the bandshell in Waterloo Park a few hundred metres away for speeches by MPP Catherine Fife, Maribel Jagorin - Acorn, Jennifer Pfenning - National Farmers Union, Aislinn Clancy - Green Party of Ontario, Debbie Chapman - NDP, and others and a social picnic.
Please bring your favourite drinks and snacks. The location is right on the iON Light Rail Transit Line (Laurier/Waterloo Park Station), easily reached by bus from Westmount Avenue or University Avenue and there is nearby parking available to the south in Waterloo Park and to the northwest in the University of Waterloo parking lots.
We are hoping for a strong turnout and fun afternoon visiting with friends and groups from across the Grand River Watershed while sending a strong message to the provincial government and working to ensure as many ERO submissions as possible.
Our Rally Committee has grown substantially under guidance and hard work of Hal Jaeger, Laura New, Lindsay Dajka, David Lubell, Dorothy & Andy Wilson, Jenna Quinn, Anne Moore, Barb Hogg, Brooklin Wallis, and Sam Nabi. It’s great to see so many groups and people working together to send a strong message to the provincial government.
Please share any questions or ideas and be sure to join us Saturday, July 29th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm with some creative protest signs.
4) Latest Media Coverage - Significant media coverage continues with numerous articles questioning the ethics and actions of Doug Ford’s provincial government, developers obstructing the Auditor General, and many other issues:
CBC - Ontario Developer Asks Court to Prevent, Delay Interview with Auditor General in Greenbelt Audit:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/silvio-de-gasperis-auditor-general-greenbelt-1.6902145?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar
Toronto Star - More Than A Dozen Kings Counsel Lawyers Donated to Attorney General:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2023/07/07/more-than-a-dozen-kings-counsel-lawyers-donated-to-ontario-attorney-general-doug-downey.html
The Record - Doug Ford’s Patronage Controversy Builds On A Pattern Of Poor Decision-Making:
https://www.therecord.com/politics/political-opinion/doug-ford-s-patronage-controversy-builds-on-a-pattern-of-poor-decision-making/article_78116f95-070e-5473-aed5-430
Global News - Ontario Greenbelt Development Plan Faces New Threat From Federal Government:
https://globalnews.ca/news/9806793/ontario-ford-government-greenbelt-changes-at-risk-species/
The Record - New Gravel Pits May Be Paused in North Dumfries:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/new-gravel-pits-may-be-paused-in-north-dumfries/article_b015e266-1fff-59c6-8f6b-ee7252e5f22b.html <https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/new-gravel-pits-may-be-paused-in-north-dumfries/article_b015e266-1fff-59c6-8f6b-ee7252e5f22b.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign&utm_content=ap_ee9wn7q3eo>
The Record - They Benefitted From Doug Ford’s Land Swap. Now, These Developers Are Going To Court To Dodge Auditor General’s Questions:
https://www.therecord.com/news/ontario/they-benefited-from-doug-ford-s-greenbelt-land-swap-now-these-developers-are-going-to/article_24ae48d0-d296-557d-abf9-ba12fe43d51f.html?
Cottage Life - Federal Government Has The Power To Block Ontario’s Greenbelt Development Plan:
https://cottagelife.com/general/documents-reveal-federal-government-has-the-power-to-block-ontarios-greenbelt-development-plan/
The Toronto Star - Ford Can Be A Bully or a Bestie:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2023/07/13/doug-ford-can-be-a-bully-or-a-bestie-depending-on-whats-in-it-for-him-will-olivia-chow-figure-that-out.html
The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Criticizes Auditor General Over Greenbelt Investigation:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2023/07/13/doug-ford-criticizes-auditor-general-over-greenbelt-investigation-its-not-even-within-her-scope.html
The Record - North Dumfries Won’t Pause Approvals of New Pits:
https://www.therecord.com/news/council/north-dumfries-won-t-pause-approval-of-new-gravel-pits/article_dc8ce971-0c49-5104-b840-d149e531616e.html
The Toronto Star - Kings Counsel Titles May Violate Rules on Misleading Advertising:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2023/07/18/advertising-kings-counsel-titles-may-violate-ontario-lawyers-rules-on-misleading-marketing-experts-caution.html
The Trillium - PC Minister Dodges Questions About Las Vegas Trip Paid For By Greenbelt Developer:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/pc-minister-dodges-questions-about-las-vegas-trip-with-greenbelt-developer-7267654
The Trillium - Integrity Commissioner Aware of Another Non-Compliance by Ford's Former Executive Assistant:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-trillium-investigations/integrity-commissioner-aware-of-potential-non-compliance-with-lobbying-law-by-another-ex-aide-of-doug-fords-7304239
5) Hamilton Pushback! - It’s impressive to see how Hamilton Councillors are pushing back on the provincial government decimating their Official Plan and farmland. Some Hamilton councillors say they'll stand in front of bulldozers to stop Greenbelt development if needed. We’ve been in touch with Hamilton groups and will try to help support them however possible over the coming months:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hamilton-council-greenbelt-1.6909007
https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/hamilton-council-rebukes-ford-s-nimbyism-jab-amid-greenbelt-discord/article_b8e64710-4758-503a-8d00-061e3eec9e72.html
6) Wilmot Township Pushback Needed! - It was extremely disappointing to see Wilmot Township Council applauding the provincial order to decimate the Waterloo Region Official Plan and open up large tracts of Wilmot farmland for development. Despite the previous Wilmot Council being very supportive of the Regional Official Plan It shows how much work we have to do with the current all-new Wilmot Council to help them understand the consequences and long-term implications to our community - particularly with the sewage plant limitations and the watershed already at its assimulative capacity:
The Record - Wilmot Council Applauds Provinical Order to Open Up More Land for Development:
https://www.therecord.com/news/council/wilmot-council-applauds-provincial-order-to-open-up-more-land-for-development-in-waterloo-region/article_57fe12f8-3b7b-5180-aef6-7d21f3fe48b1.html?
7) ALO Building Hope Webinar - The Alliance for a Liveable Ontario is holding their next webinar “Getting it Right: Building the Housing We Need” on Tuesday, July 25th at 4pm. Speakers include Professor Carolyn Whitzman and developer Leith Moore. Join elected officials, municipal staff, and citizens from across Ontario to learn what you can do to help build liveable neighbourhoods - not just more houses. Register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M3qSOEBAS9CWQ-lKRm_xqQ#/registration
If you aren’t yet a member of ALO you are encouraged to join and help work towards a more liveable Ontario:
https://www.liveableontario.ca/
8) Leadnow Greenbelt Petition - Leadnow is using their massive reach and lists to encourage people to speak up and ask the Federal Government to step in and better protect the Greenbelt. Take a minute to speak up and take action at:
https://act.leadnow.ca/block-development-greenbelt/?
9) Avaaz Greenbelt Petition - Even more interesting is seeing the large global organization Avaaz using their reach to urge Ontario Greenbelt protection. Take action and sign at:
https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/save_the_greenbelt_5_1/
10) Reminder - Meeting this Friday - Join us this Friday, July 21st at 5:30pm:
Topic: Grand River Watershed Bill 23 Bi-Weekly Zoom Meeting
Time: Every Other Friday at 5:30pm EST
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701
Passcode: 713374
Thanks for all the great efforts so far. Please share any questions or ideas.
Cheers,
Kevin Thomason and Mike Marcolongo on behalf of all our community groups.
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A) Upcoming Events
Friday, July 21st - 5:30pm - Next update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
Tuesday, July 25th - ALO Webinar - Getting it Right: Building the Housing We Need - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M3qSOEBAS9CWQ-lKRm_xqQ#/registration
Saturday, July 29th - 2:00pm - Rally and Picnic at Waterloo Park - https://stopsprawlwr.wixsite.com/rally and also details on Rally Poster below.
Friday, August 4th - last day to comment on the Provincial Policy Statement - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6813
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B) Rally and Picnic Poster and Social Media Shareables - Saturday, July 29th at 2:00pm




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C) Speak up on the Provincial Policy Statement and proposed rural severances for farmland:
Please comment by August 4th on the PPS: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6813 <https://gasp4change.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f78129ba7eabe097015221d5d&id=840c2d168c&e=8a629d034f>

Here are some notes to help write your comments:
https://environmentaldefence.ca/2023/04/06/ontario-to-kill-growth-plan-proposed-new-planning-rules-would-kneecap-housing-supply-efforts-and-unleash-unprecedented-sprawl-on-ontarios-forests-farmland-and-wetlands/ <https://gasp4change.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f78129ba7eabe097015221d5d&id=4ae43b5c7d&e=8a629d034f>
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D) Here's Excellent Ontario Nature Led Submission on the PPS and Rural Severances you can use for talking points in your ERO submission:

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E) Avaaz Greenbelt Petition:

https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/save_the_greenbelt_loc/
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F) Leadnow Greenbelt Petition:

https://act.leadnow.ca/block-development-greenbelt/?
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G) Other News:

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I) 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.piccini 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
Will Bouma - MPP Brantford-Brant - will.bouma at pc.ola.org <mailto:will.bouma at pc.ola.org> or (519) 759-0361
Ted Arnott - MPP Wellington-Halton Hills - ted.arnott at pc.ola.org <mailto:ted.arnott at pc.ola.org> or (519) 787-5247
Ernie Hardeman - MPP Oxford - ernie.hardeman at pc.ola.org <mailto:ernie.hardeman at pc.ola.org> or (519) 537-5222
Matthew Rae - MPP Perth-Wellington - matthew.rae at pc.ola.org <mailto:matthew.rae at pc.ola.org> or (519) 272-0660
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
Local Green Party MPPs:
Mike Schreiner - MPP Guelph - mschreiner at ola.org <mailto:mschreiner at ola.org> or (519) 836-4190
Independent MPPs:
Bobbi Ann Brady - MPP Haldimand-Norfolk - babrady-co at ola.org <mailto:babrady-co at ola.org> or (519) 428-0446
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Kevin Thomason
Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network
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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