[All] Bill 23, Bill 97, Regional Planning, PPS Updates - Meeting Friday, June 23rd at 5:30pm
Kevin Thomason
kevinthomason at mac.com
Thu Jun 22 18:22:33 EDT 2023
Good Day,
A reminder of our regular update meeting tomorrow - Friday, June 23rd at 5:30pm on Zoom where we will discuss all the recent activities and the implications for our communities: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09 Hopefully you will be able to join us.
Despite the nice weather and the start of summer there still continues to be a staggering amount of things happening. Here’s the latest:
1) Natural Heritage System (NHS) and Agricultural System (AS) Updates - The long awaited updates to the Natural Heritage System and Agriculture Systems that form the foundation of so much of the planning system in Ontario were released by the province last Friday. We have long feared what the Ford government would be proposing and how it could further devastate our province. The updates were released as new chapters (4.1 and 4.4) to the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS). Please share any feedback or insights you may have on the impacts of new approach they are proposing.
The proposed changes can be found online through the ERO at:
https://trk.mmail.lst.fin.gov.on.ca/trk/click?ref=zr9uf3m5h_3-a38dx315f1ex0MsIeALQNnF&.
And there is a PDF of the updated PPS below that includes the full text of these new chapters.
We have until August 4th, 2023 to provide comments and feedback via the ERO and to our local MPPs.
2) Rural Severances Abandoned Or Not? - The provincial government had a perfect chance to demonstrate they had heard all the concerns raised by us, the agricultural groups, and others about the 3 severances proposed for every farm and rural property in Ontario but instead of deleting this from the recent PPS update released last week, they have left it intact and fully in place still. The concern is that the media was not accurate in reporting that these severances have been abandoned since we can still find no proof from the government and now the Narwhal is raising similar questions and concerns:
The Narwhal - Can Good Things Still Grow in Ontario? - After pushback from farming organizations the future of Ford government policy allowing more residential development on agricultural land is unclear:
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-farmland-development/
We still need to be submitting strong feedback to the ERO and making it clear to all elected officials that this absurd concept to destroy farms across Ontario for unsustainable, inefficient housing must be abandoned and cancelled completely.
3) Put 70 Hectares Back - Kudo’s to City of Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe for calling out the province and demanding that they replace the 70 hectares permitted for development by breaching the Region of Waterloo Countryside Line with another 70 hectares of land elsewhere so there is no net loss of lands to our communities:
The Record - Put 70 Hectares of Land Back into the Countryside Line, says Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/put-70-hectares-of-land-back-into-the-countryside-line-says-waterloo-mayor-dorothy-mccabe/article_deb344d8-0edc-5657-a8e6-f060ef31323a.html
We need to speak up and find ways to support the Mayor with this bold statement and approach.
4) Recent Media Coverage - there has been a lot of media articles recently including:
A great article by Green Party Kitchener MP Mike Morrice - Climate Generation Needs Wildfires Devastation to Serve As A Wake-up Call:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/climate-generation-needs-wildfires-devastation-to-serve-as-a-wake-up-call/article_dd87d491-323d-52db-9902-530b7f44ac8d.html
CityNews - Waterloo Mayor Unlikely to Use Strong Mayor Powers:
https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2023/06/16/waterloo-mayor-unlikely-to-use-strong-mayor-powers/?
CityNews - Strong Mayor Powers Coming to Four Local Cities:
https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2023/06/16/strong-mayor-powers-coming-to-four-local-cities-source/?
CBC: Ontario Expanding Strong Mayor Powers:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/municipal-affairs-meeting-ontario-big-city-mayors-1.6878776
The Record - Strong Mayors Can Veto Council Decisions:
https://www.therecord.com/news/council/kitchener-cambridge-and-waterloo-will-have-strong-mayors-by-july-who-can-veto-council-decisions/article_f9cbede4-697a-5bd6-be39-13edcef4afd2.html
The Globe and Mail - Ontario Liberal Leadership Contenders Distance Themselves from Bonnie Crombie Greenbelt Comments:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-liberal-leadership-contenders-distance-themselves-from-bonnie/
Global News - Bonnie Crombie Facing Backlast for Greenbelt Comment:
https://globalnews.ca/news/9769701/bonnie-crombie-ontario-greenbelt-comments/
The Toronto Star - Bonnie Crombie Denies Doug Ford’s Claim She’s Endorising Greenbelt Takeouts:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2023/06/15/bonnie-crombie-denies-doug-fords-claim-that-she-is-endorsing-our-greenbelt-plan.html
The Toronto Star - Bonnie Crombie Put Her Foot in Her Mouth:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2023/06/17/bonnie-crombie-put-her-foot-in-her-mouth-but-is-it-game-over.html
The Narwhal - Ontario is Ignoring Advice for Indigenous-Led Conservation:
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-indigenous-conservation-recommendations/
The Toronto Star: Doug Ford Shoots Down York Region Amalgamation:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2023/06/15/doug-ford-shoots-down-mayors-idea-of-amalgamating-municipalities-in-york-region.html
Here’s A Great Op-Ed on how the Greenbelt may be the Ford Government's Undoing:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/06/21/opinion/ford-attack-greenbelt-undoing
And while Ontario's government continues to depend on the private sector to provide much-needed housing, other jurisdictions understand that government needs to play a role in the provision of affordable housing:
https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/06/05/how-minnesota-will-spend-1-billion-on-housing/
5) Proposed Rally and Picnic - Saturday, July 29th - Our Rally Committee continues planning our next rally for Saturday, July 29th in advance of the August 6th PPS ERO deadline. It could be a perfect opportunity to bring together a broad range of groups such as affordable housing advocates, agricultural groups, environmental groups, and many others concerned about the proposed PPS changes, housing, and rural severances. We need one more volunteer to join the Committee and help with the planning. Please let either Mike or Kevin know if you would be interested in joining the Rally Committee to assist with this next event or if you have any ideas on how we can surpass our last events with even greater impact.
6) Greenbelt Promise Fundraising Event - July 20th in Guelph - The first Gather event in Toronto back on March 2nd was a great success. We hope to repeat another successful event this time in Guelph!
Please Gather with us for an old-fashioned barn party at the historic Beattie-Blair Barn (circa 1870) in Guelph on July 20th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. This fundraising event will feature complimentary food & drink, musical performances, a participatory art installation, and speakers that you won’t want to miss!
Tickets are limited, please purchase yours today at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-for-the-greenbelt-tickets-658110374847
The event will include musical performances by Tragedy Ann, Donna Grantis, and Ken Whiteley. Speakers will include Mike Schreiner - Guelph MPP & Leader of the Ontario Green Party, David Donnelly - leading environmental lawyer, and Liv Cazzola - Music Declares an Emergency. The art installation is by Rochelle Rubinstein.
7) Doodle Poll for Group Meeting Time - Our Friday at 5:30pm meeting time has served us well over the winter months, however we are wondering if there is a more optimal time to meet in the summer given weekend outings and travel schedules. Please complete the short questionnaire below to let us know your preferences and ideas:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KJF5J3F
8) Narwhal Bill 23 Summary - The amazing folks at the Narwhal have compiled a great resource on Bill 23 and related articles/information:
The Narwhal - Bill 23 Summary and Overview of Articles:
https://thenarwhal.ca/topics/bill-23-ontario-housing/
9) Hamilton Lessons - We could be getting some great insights in what to expect on the forced urban boundary expansions from what is currently unfolding in Hamilton. Below is a CHCH Television report of just how upset Hamilton elected officials are with the handling of Greenbelt development as the province is taking over local control, ending public engagement, and committing the City of Hamilton to be on the hook for millions of dollars of expenses despite having no say in matters:
CHCH TV Hamilton - Councillors Upset with Ontario’s Handling of Greenbelt Development:
https://www.chch.com/hamilton-city-councillors-upset-with-ontarios-handling-of-greenbelt-development/
Hamilton Spectator Article on the costs being imposed on the City of Hamilton for developing the Greenbelt carve-out:
https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/council-reluctant-to-put-price-tag-on-developing-hamilton-s-ex-greenbelt-lands/article_ac405295-16ad-591b-b031-1a73094fa255.html?
“Ford’s housing legislation spells disaster for Hamilton” Danko says….
10) Hallman Aggregate Pit Update - Ontario Nature has written an excellent update on the situation and battle against unnecessary aggregrate mining in Wilmot Township at the Hallman Pit:
Hallman Pit Update:
https://ontarionature.org/hallman-pit-another-threat-to-precious-farmland-blog/
11) Canada is Burning Day of Action - Wednesday, June 28th - 350.org is organizing a National Day of Action on June 28th in communities across Canada. Use the interactive map below to find or create an action near you:
https://350.org/canada-burning/#map
12) Reminder - Meeting this Friday - Join us this Friday, June 23rd 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
Please help us inform people about these issues. Feel free to forward this e-mail or parts of it to anyone you think would be interested and please reply or send Mike or Kevin any e-mail addresses of people you would like to be added to our distribution list. Each week we are growing our reach and helping to educate to more people.
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.
-----------------------------------
A) Upcoming Events
Friday, June 23rd - 5:30pm - Next update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
Wednesday, June 28th - Canada is Burning National Day of Action - https://350.org/canada-burning/#map
Thursday, July 20th - 6:30pm - Greenbelt Promise Fundraising Event in Guelph - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-for-the-greenbelt-tickets-658110374847
Saturday, July 29th - 2:00pm - Save the Date! Proposed Rally and Picnic at Waterloo Park - More details coming soon!
Friday, August 4th - last day to comment on the Provincial Policy Statement - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6813
------------------------------------
B) Updated PPS with Natural Heritage System (NHS) Section 4.1
On April 6, 2023, the government released a draft of the Provincial Planning Statement, (ERO#019-6813<https://trk.mmail.lst.fin.gov.on.ca/trk/click?ref=zr9uf3m5h_3-a38dx315f1dx0MsIeALQNnF&>) that would replace the existing Provincial Policy Statement and A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
At that time, natural heritage policies and related definitions remained under consideration by the government and were not released for review and input. The proposed natural heritage policies are now available for review and feedback. The details of the changes can be found through the Environmental Registry of Ontario:
https://trk.mmail.lst.fin.gov.on.ca/trk/click?ref=zr9uf3m5h_3-a38dx315f1ex0MsIeALQNnF&.
Please note that the comment period has been extended to August 4, 2023.

------------------------------------
C) Staff Reports and Woolwich Motion they are encouraging other municipalties to endorse/adopt as well:
i) Woolwich Township PPS Staff Report and Motion:

-------------------------------------
D) 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>
-------------------------------------
E) Here's Excellent Ontario Nature Led Submission on the PPS and Rural Severances you can use in your ERO submission:

-------------------------------------
F) Canada is Burning Day of Action:
Canada is Burning Day of Action
Communities across Canada are rising up to demand an immediate end to fossil fuel subsidies and a just transitio...
<https://350.org/canada-burning/#map>
https://350.org/canada-burning/#map
------------------------------
G) Enough Is Enough: What’s Next?
<https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/BqA3LhzOFl92KwaVoz69N9-aeT-u4NDC6FyiToXDtdT7SCQ5xS6Lr2Mw1timKDpwh3k7Acab51mTLRrIzuUk7reuDZ8YBYGHG8ZgC9FwZtG-X9DoKaM18WAFb0ngV3qmdJAhHHg7olE235OqWBs-t-_EBTotsVUhEwVXxcHDiE3dO6jJpgYFX-t4NCpyNj_1z-VpBR8YdThWSA3P4SteFwRbS2rE-3JPSE6vKqfpoHJCOuWvKss_fOdEPS30vqw0/3ww/W2YoA-9UQ-qFGGIhNqEYPw/h3/cBt59T2UmHVvVZjPTkGBgluBPTrqpkIyrcGGUVaCtOw>On Saturday, June 3, thousands of Ontarians, in every region of the province, mobilized to say: Enough is enough!
It was an incredible demonstration of our strength and solidarity. It was also only the beginning.
Here’s one easy step you can take to help us build on the June 3 momentum: invite 5 friends to sign the campaign pledge at WeSayEnough.ca <https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/BqA3LhzOFl92KwaVoz69N9-aeT-u4NDC6FyiToXDtdT7SCQ5xS6Lr2Mw1timKDpwfy_XORiSEkpEBH6G3aJbnvqSrZZyqn2lwIsTGCk1-A_pr3Cvd-zuDCKNF4HMCLFOAdF3zJSOyT1C1Xs23SOpOeSuEPvc9rNz27HhK8P1-yOQcXBB7G-fdd5vC63cHfXw90WahMGc8wCoeTnSW4X5GTWBlrCRW2jfloqMWDbGxfAJUt0yi5Bcm7X31ktTjmBB/3ww/W2YoA-9UQ-qFGGIhNqEYPw/h4/I23XFJo6NZu5JkArN1zrAqPs4JJN2hCTS0IQMqQsCGY>. By signing the pledge, you’ll the first to know about upcoming events and solidarity actions.
Let’s keep building!
------------------------------
H) 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
-------------------------------------
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>
-----------------------------
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0006.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Updated June 16 Proposed Provincial Planning Statement - EN.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 2149224 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0003.pdf>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0007.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Woolwich DS_25_2023__Comments_to_Draft_Provincial_Policy_Statement_2023.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 189381 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0004.pdf>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0008.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: ERO Screenshot Updated .png
Type: image/png
Size: 164228 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0002.png>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0009.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: ERO 019-6813 submission.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 1753284 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0005.pdf>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0010.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Eblast-2023.06.09.png
Type: image/png
Size: 701985 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0003.png>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gren.ca/pipermail/all_gren.ca/attachments/20230622/471a3185/attachment-0011.html>
More information about the All
mailing list