[All] Bill 23, Greenbelt & Regional Planning Update, Meeting Friday March 31st at 5:30pm

Thu Mar 30 22:49:30 EDT 2023

Good Day,

A reminder of our meeting on Friday, March 31st at 5:30pm on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

There continues to be an a lot happening on Bill 23, the Greenbelt, and Regional Planning:

1) Waterloo Regional Official Plan Rally April 2, 2023 - Join us on Sunday, April 2nd from 2pm to 3pm at our next rally event against forced urban boundary expansion and the development of farmland and natural spaces.  The Waterloo Regional Official Plan (along with other Official Plans such as Wellington County’s Official Plan) are currently awaiting approval from Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark.  A decision could come at anytime potentially forcing thousands of acres of unwanted sprawl similar to what the province has done to the Halton Region and City of Hamilton Official Plans.

Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, Green Party Leader MPP Mike Schreiner, and youth advocate Lyndsay Dajka are confirmed as speakers.  We want to draw attention to the new report from the Alliance for a Livable Ontario (ALO) showing that municipalities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe already have sufficient lands for twice as many housing units as the province requires under Bill 23 and that Greenbelt land removals as well as forced urban boundary expansions are totally unnecessary.

 We hope that you can join us for a fun-filled hour and help send a strong message on April 2nd!  Learn more at the official Facebook page:

	https://www.facebook.com/events/167796549418015

More details including a rally poster and social media materials are attached below.  Please circulate and share widely.  They are calling for a beautiful sunny day on Sunday.  Be creative making some signs or we will also have signs available, bring some friends, and speak up for the future Waterloo Region needs!

2) Rally Media Coverage - We have already had some good media coverage including 570 News, CBC Kitchener, and the Waterloo Chronicle:

	Waterloo Chronicle - Rally coverage:
	https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/rally-planned-outside-the-inn-of-waterloo-to-fight-urban-boundary-expansion/article_5237d544-f4ed-533f-8084-e10c16ce5001.html

3) New Lawn Signs Focussed on Regional Planning and Sprawl - We have printed 100 lawn signs for the Rally and to help ensure the public is aware of the need to see our Regional Official Plans approved intact with the province respecting local decisions.  An example of the new lawn signs are below and they will be available at the Rally or from Mike Marcolongo or Kevin Thomason if you would be interested in some for your lawn and neighbourhood.

4) Protecting the Greenbelt Town Hall Meetings - Join NDP Leader Marit Styles at a Townhall Meeting on Protecting the Greenbelt.  There will be a series of Townhall Meetings including a Niagara meeting on Friday, March 31st from 6pm to 8pm at the Fleming Memorial Area in Beamsville.  Learn more and register at:

	https://www.ondpcaucus.com/greenbelttownhallniagara

5) Recent Media Coverage - Media articles and news stories continue across the province on Bill 23, the Greenbelt, and Regional Planning:

	Toronto Life: If You’re A Developer Eyeing the Greenbelt, Just Know The Federal Government Has The Power To Intervene:
	https://torontolife.com/city/if-youre-a-developer-eyeing-the-greenbelt-just-know-the-federal-government-has-the-power-to-intervene-a-qa-with-environment-minister-steven-guilbeault/

	The Agenda: Should Ontario Preserve or Build on the Greenbelt?:
	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOPhizInimghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOPhizInimg

	Globe & Mail: Greenbelt plans promote sprawl over sustainability, mayor warns:
	https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-greenbelt-sprawl-newmarket/
       	And a great response to the article through a letter to the editor:
	https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/letters-to-the-editor/letter-good-on-you-mayor-for-standing-up-to-doug-ford-6770912

       	Doug Ford calls the Federal Environment Minister "a real piece of work”:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2023/03/30/doug-ford-calls-federal-environment-minister-a-real-piece-of-work.html?

        Niagara developer who is pushing for Hwy 413 through the Greenbelt gets caught giving a Niagara councillor $10K in cash:
	https://niagaranow.com/news.phtml/breaking-notl-asks-opp-to-investigate-developers-10000-payment-to-town-councillor/

	Last week was a busy week for the Greenbelt Promise and we were successful in amplifying the Federal announcement as a key step on our path to protecting the Greenbelt.  A number of media picked up on the press release including: 

	Newmarket/York Region: 
	https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/greenbelt-group-pleased-with-federal-intervention-more-studies-6738232

	Markham/York Region: 
	https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/10872130--it-is-a-victory-markham-activist-applauds-federal-government-s-intervention-in-greenbelt-development/

	Stop Sprawl Durham: 
	https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/10871921-feds-launch-study-on-pickering-greenbelt-lands-facing-development/

6) City of Waterloo Leads with Affordable Housing Strategy - City of Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe reached out to us this week to ensure that we were aware of the leading work that City Staff have done on developing 59 actions that the City of Waterloo will be undertaking to improve the affordability of housing.  Kudo’s to the City of Waterloo once again for their leadership on key issues - this is a Mayor, Council, and Staff that is setting the example for the entire province and we need to ensure their pioneering, progressive leadership is recognized:

	City of Waterloo Affordable Housing Strategy - 59 actions for missing middle housing:
	https://www.waterloo.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=0d868655-ba17-4efa-988b-1951530c7aec&newsId=fb9ce76b-d68a-4e3f-a1ef-89f08346881d

7) Other Upcoming Rally’s - Halton Hills - Folks in Halton Hills are organizing another pop-up rally this Saturday, April 1st, 11am-12pm EST in Milton at the corner of Main and Ontario Sts., outside MPP Parm Gill's office.  All are welcome!  Bring homemade signs, noisemakers and help us draw attention to the cause and remind the government we're not going away and remain committed to protecting the Greenbelt!  The plan is to continue the pop-rallies across Halton, having them in Oakville, Burlington and Halton Hills in coming weeks.  For more information contact: haltongreenbeltguardians at gmail.com

Kincardine - The Huron Fringe Field Naturalists invites concerned citizens to show Premier Ford the error of his ways and demonstrate their support for protecting farms, forests and wetlands by attending a rally in Kincardine from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15th. Participants will park at the Davidson Centre, 601 Durham Street, Kincardine, and gather near the Lions Splash Pad. Marchers will spread out along Durham Street east to Highway 21. Inquiries may be made through the Huron Fringe Field Naturalists Facebook page <https://ontarionature.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=https%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2fHuronFringeFieldNaturalists&srcid=52743&srctid=1&erid=10738928&trid=1e4d4feb-7574-42fb-91d8-00b55c3fea95> - https://www.facebook.com/HuronFringeFieldNaturalists

Fossil Fools Day Rallies - here are various rallies across the country on Saturday, April 1st -- "Fossil Fools Day" -- targeting RBC and their investments in fossil fuels and the violation of Indigenous sovereignty, especially surrounding the Coastal Gaslink pipeline on the Wet'suwet'en territory. You can check out what's going on in your area:

	https://act.leadnow.ca/FossilFoolsDay/

8) Earth Day Events - At least 35 different Earth Day events are being planned across Ontario.  You can learn more and list your event at the Yours to Protect website:

	https://environmentaldefence.ca/ytpweekend2023/

9) Greenbelt Guardians Seek Land Scouts - The Greenbelt Guardians are seeking people or groups to assist in the monitoring of the Greenbelt for evidence of development on the parcels removed by Bill 23 as well as building Response Teams.  Learn more and sign up to help at:

	https://greenbeltguardian.com/protect-our-ontario-land-scout-sign-up/

10) New Greenbelt Promise Website - check out the new Greenbelt Promise website and learn how you can take action including getting lawn sign, joining a pop-up rally, or even find a complete guidebook on how to run a rally:

	https://greenbeltpromise.ca/

11) Municipal Leaders for Stronger Communities Webinar - the next webinar called "Addressing Local Housing Issues: From Ineffective to Effective Solutions”  is being held on Wednesday, April 5th at 4 pm.  It features Colin Best (President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario) and Kevin Eby (Registered Planner, Former Director of Community Planning with the Region of Waterloo).

The panel discussion will focus on Kevin’s recent report on the large amounts of land already available for housing and discussion about what municipalities can do to address the actual causes of the housing problems facing their residents.  You can register at: 

	https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KvkQj4iRQiq7pU8XgbY4ig

Please encourage your local Council, municipal staff, and community leaders to attend.

12) Reminder - Meeting this Friday - Our next update meeting will be this Friday, March 31st at 5:30pm - Please join us for the latest news and information.

	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, March 31st - 5:30pm - Next update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Friday, March 31st - 6:00pm - Greenbelt Townhall Meeting in Niagara - https://www.ondpcaucus.com/greenbelttownhallniagara

Saturday, April 1st - 11am - 12 pm - Halton Hills “Save the Greenbelt and Stop Sprawl Rally" at Main and Ontario Streets in Milton (400 Main Street East, Milton)

Sunday, April 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:00pm - Rally to Respect Waterloo Region’s Official Plan - 475 King St North, Waterloo - https://www.facebook.com/events/167796549418015

Wednesday, April 5th - 4:00pm - Municipal Leaders for Stronger Communities - Addressing Local Housing Issues - Effective Solutions - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KvkQj4iRQiq7pU8XgbY4ig

Saturday, April 15th - 11am - 12:30pm - Kincardine Rally Against Bill 23 - details below

Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 21st, 22nd, and 23rd - Lots of Earth Day Events happening across Ontario - https://environmentaldefence.ca/ytpweekend2023/

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B) April 2nd Waterloo Rally Posters and Additional Information - please feel free to share and circulate these materials widely including the designs specifically for social media:

Rally Poster:

a) Rally Social Media - Instagram 

b) Rally Social Media - Twitter 

c) Rally Social Media - Facebook

d) Regional Official Plan Lawn Sign

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C) Municipal Leaders for Stronger Communities Webinar - April 5, 2023

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D) Kincardine Rally Information - April 15th

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E) Earth Day Events 

https://environmentaldefence.ca/ytpweekend2023/

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F) Greenbelt Townhall Meeting - March 31, 2023 - 6pm to 8pm

INVITATION: ‘Protecting the Greenbelt’ Town Hall

Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition, invites you to her ‘Protecting the Greenbelt’ Town Hall.  
Marit will be touring the Hamilton and Niagara areas later this week listening to Ontarians.  

You are invited to come out and have your concerns heard and questions answered.  
It’s a chance to engage with the Leader of the Official Opposition and Hamilton and Niagara area Ontario NDP MPPs on an issue so important to us all.

Event Details:
Protecting the Greenbelt Town Hall – Hamilton Area
Date: Thursday March 30, 2023
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: West Avenue Cider House, 84 Concession Rd 8 E, Freelton, ON L8B 1N7
RSVP: https://www.ondpcaucus.com/greenbelttownhallhamilton <https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ondpcaucus.com%2Fgreenbelttownhallhamilton&data=05%7C01%7CCKheirallah%40ndp.on.ca%7C1d48fda924ae4ba58d2908db2ef13696%7C6b9fd2ec77a64ae0822a6bb9108fb274%7C0%7C0%7C638155385750582883%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iInWmzuJFCmJerAvbGy03ItulOmrBkFUdeKm8eQfigE%3D&reserved=0>

Protecting the Greenbelt Town Hall – Niagara Area
Date: Friday March 31, 2023
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: Fleming Memorial Arena, 5020 Serena Dr, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B8
RSVP: https://www.ondpcaucus.com/greenbelttownhallniagara <https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ondpcaucus.com%2Fgreenbelttownhallniagara&data=05%7C01%7CCKheirallah%40ndp.on.ca%7C1d48fda924ae4ba58d2908db2ef13696%7C6b9fd2ec77a64ae0822a6bb9108fb274%7C0%7C0%7C638155385750582883%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=D4dES1l%2F4Ib%2BH1jaP0Hl5l2km4duOGZu2q5WObjAoAc%3D&reserved=0>

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G) 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

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/>

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

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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