[All] New Devastating Bill 185 Changes, More Ford Flip-Flops, Wilmot Farmland Updates, PPS Updates, Bill 23, Bill 109 Retractions

Fri Apr 12 19:42:14 EDT 2024

Good Day,

It’s been a busy week with an astounding amount of media coverage on the massive Wilmot Farm Land destruction, many concerning new changes announced on Wednesday with Bill 185 & Provincial Planning Statement updates, and Bill 162’s final amendments.  Here’s the latest:

1) Bill 185 Cutting Red Tape Act and Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) - As outlined in the update sent on Wednesday night, the new Bill 185 The Cutting Red Tape To Build More Homes Act makes significant negative changes province-wide to urban boundary expansions, planning processes, appeals, and oversight designed to prevent low-density sprawl and instead facilitates farmland, wetland, and natural area destruction for new development. 

The province is also removing Planning Authority from the Region of Waterloo along with 7 other GTA Upper-Tier Regions, changing what can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), and changing what constitutes “public notice” - all of which could have far-reaching consequences.

In typical Ford fashion there are also many flip-flops, reversals, and roll backs finally realizing that parts of Bill 23, Bill 109, and other issues we have been raising for months were discouraging rather than encouraging new housing.  Development charges are finally being partially reinstated to the relief of nearly bankrupt municipalities, new rules are finally being implemented around MZO’s, the ability to appeal official plan boundary expansions is being reinstated, and numerous other corrections and reversals from recent legislation is included Bill 185.

The many changes, flip-flops, and concerning proposals will likely create even more confusion and chaos that will worsen the housing crisis.  Removing Planning Authority and severely compromising or even eliminating key environmental protections in Waterloo Region such as our visionary Countryside Line policy that was so integral to providing planning certainty, guiding growth, farmland protection, and helping to ensure farming remained affordable by lessening land speculation will have far reaching negative impacts and destroy decades of good planning along with our farms/countryside.

Osler Law has drafted a good summary table of the proposed changes:

	Osler Law - Ontario Government Announced Proposed Amendments To Planning Act And Development Charges Act:
	https://www.osler.com/en/resources/regulations/2024/ontario-government-announces-proposed-amendments-to-planning-act-and-development-charges-act

In case you missed it, Environmental Defence released the following statement on Bill 185 focusing on the lack of accountability and huge potential for corruption when so many millions of dollars are at stake in urban boundary expansions with little oversight and inexperienced municipal councils:

	https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/04/10/bill-185-and-proposed-provincial-planning-statement-would-unleash-a-wave-of-greenfield-scandals-by-removing-tribunal-oversight-of-sprawl-approvals/ <https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/04/10/bill-185-and-proposed-provincial-planning-statement-would-unleash-a-wave-of-greenfield-scandals-by-removing-tribunal-oversight-of-sprawl-approvals/#:~:text=Together%2C%20the%20new%20law%20and,natural%20areas%20outside%20the%20Greenbelt.>

And media coverage on Bill 185 so far has been mixed with reporters getting distracted by minor changes that could be positive such as removing parking minimums, approving standardized home designs, use it or lose it powers, and allowing timber structures, but overlooking massive negative things such as the removal of Planning Authority and OLT appeal changes favouring only developers:

	Toronto Star - Ford Government Attempts To Speed New Housing Starts With Sweeping Bill:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/ford-government-attempts-to-speed-new-housing-starts-with-sweeping-bill/article_c696510c-f73f-11ee-877a-a710a19d709b.html

	TVO Today - The Ford Government’s Scattershot Housing Bill Does Not Enough Of Too Much:
	https://www.tvo.org/article/the-ford-governments-scattershot-housing-bill-does-not-enough-of-too-much

2) Wilmot Land Assembly By Wilmot Township and Waterloo Region - Reflecting the extreme amount of concern in the community, there is an incredible amount of new media coverage regarding both the Region’s plan to locate a mega-industrial site in Wilmot and the Township of Wilmot’s request to Minister Calandra to destroy hundreds and hundreds of acres of additional farmland along with the Countryside Line to grow New Hamburg and Baden by tens of thousands of people into potentially a city of 75,000 to 100,000 people.  Neither Wilmot Township nor the Region have plans for any public consultation, any studies, environmental assessments, nor data, nor even a mandate for their efforts to so radically change a rural township in ways so contrary to all previous expectations, Official Plans, and long-term planning.

Below are maps and further information showing the extent of what is being proposed.  You can read the March 4, 2024 Wilmot Staff Report requesting this massive amount of development land starting on page 151 of the Council Package:

	https://calendar.wilmot.ca/townshipcalendar/Detail/2024-03-04-1900-Council-Meeting/e1189e00-e790-4e4c-8bc7-b12401781ee7

Premier Ford’s visit to Kitchener yesterday was overshadowed by Wilmot situation questions.  The Premier admitted that he was troubled by how things had unfolded so far in Wilmot and “that if there isn’t a willing host just move on.”  There are more questions than ever now such as if the Province is or isn’t behind these massive growth efforts with some media reporting yes the province is, others reporting regional and municipal ownership.

Here’s just some of the recent media over the past few days: 

	CKCO CTV News - Regional Chair Breaks Silence On Wilmot Township Farmland Expropriation:
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/regional-chair-breaks-silence-on-wilmot-township-farmland-expropriation-1.6832370

	CKCO CTV News - Wilmot Farmland Owners Still In The Dark About Next Steps On Expropriation:
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/wilmot-farmland-owners-still-in-the-dark-about-next-steps-on-expropriation-1.6833863

	CityNews - Residents, Local Politicians Gather In Wilmot Over Land Expropriation Concerns:
	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/04/04/residents-local-politicians-gather-in-wilmot-over-land-expropriation-concerns/

	CityNews - More Land In Wilmot Could Be At Risk Than 770 Acres: Grand River Environmental Network:
	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/04/05/more-land-in-wilmot-could-be-at-risk-than-770-acres-grand-river-environmental-network/

	The Record - “A Horrific Plan” - Wilmot Farmers And Their Supporters Rally To Fight Region And Township:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/a-horrific-plan-wilmot-farmers-and-their-supporters-rally-to-fight-region-and-township/article_f9521bd2-fe12-56dc-b77c-8a7b9ac3493f.html

	The Record - Business Leaders Say Wilmot Land Assembly Essential:	
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/business-leaders-say-wilmot-land-assembly-essential/article_fae0b2b7-fc92-5349-971e-1b01d2b3642b.html

	CKCO CTV News - Business Leaders Get Behind Waterloo Region’s Plan To Buy Up Wilmot Farmland:
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/business-leaders-get-behind-waterloo-region-s-plan-to-buy-up-wilmot-farm-land-1.6836152

	The National Post - Private Land Is Sometimes Take For The Public Good, And That’s OK:
	https://nationalpost.com/opinion/julia-malott-sometimes-private-land-needs-to-be-taken-for-the-public-good-and-thats-ok
	Interesting to see national news coverage of this local issue that has such broad regional and provincial implications.

	The Record - Waterloo Region Already Has Lots Of Land Set Aside For Industrial Expansion So Why Is It Looking For More Land From Wilmot Farms?:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/waterloo-region-already-has-lots-of-land-set-aside-for-industrial-expansion-so-why-is/article_7a945a77-495d-51df-9994-b415cd590180.html

	The Record - Wilmot Land Assembly A Betrayal Of A Sacred Trust:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/wilmot-land-assembly-a-betrayal-of-a-sacred-trust/article_3dcaaad0-e3d1-5621-af9c-c9e2482677de.html
	A fantastic Op-Ed written by Faith Climate Justice members and providing a great example of the sort of articles we could all be writing to local media!

	The Record - Wilmot Expropriation Will Take Far Longer Than Planned:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/wilmot-expropriation-will-take-far-longer-than-planned/article_28afb911-cb30-5011-b14c-33939c0767c0.html

	The Record - McLean Insulted People Who Are Concerned About Wilmot Expropriation.  But Maybe He Also Did Us A Favour:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/mclean-insulted-people-who-are-concerned-about-wilmot-expropriation-but-maybe-he-also-did-us/article_f3388b53-cf8a-5fb9-8222-eabaf7d8d50d.html

	CTV CKCO - Wilmot Council Responds To Community Concern Over Region’s Land Buy:
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/wilmot-council-responds-to-community-concern-over-region-s-land-buy-1.6841626

	The Record - Region of Waterloo Recruiting New Manager For Industrial Land Reserves And Affordable Housing:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/region-of-waterloo-recruiting-new-manager-for-industrial-land-reserves-and-affordable-housing/article_d3c5619d-4687-5e84-b098-30231a9a704e.html

	CityNews - Premier Ford Supports Region’s Land Assembly Efforts In Wilmot Township:
	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/04/11/premier-ford-supports-regions-land-assembly-efforts-in-wilmot-township/

	CTV CKCO News - Ford Addresses Wilmot Land Acquistion Controversy
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/ford-addresses-wilmot-land-acquisition-controversy-1.6843353

	The Record - “There’s No Companies That Are Waiting To Get The Land” Premier Doug Ford Offers Support For Land Assembly, But Disagrees With Process Unfolding In Wilmot:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/theres-no-companies-that-are-waiting-to-get-the-land-premier-doug-ford-offers-support/article_0ea90254-e456-55f8-b2e4-1d678f8055b7.html

	Mike Farwell - How Many Jobs Is Wilmot Farmland Worth?
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/how-many-jobs-is-wilmot-farmland-worth/article_b8860d95-faff-508b-9556-10e927baf5a4.html

	Queen’s Park Today - Waterloo Region Threatens Expropriation After PCs Ask:
	PDF Attached Below

	The Record - Doug Ford’s Comments Make The Wilmot Land Assembly Even Harder To Understand:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/doug-fords-comments-make-the-wilmot-land-assembly-even-harder-to-understand/article_035dbcbb-527f-5e04-9acc-f911d48e9e86.html

Other noteworthy media includes a good blog post by Former Regional Councillor Jane Mitchell who was instrumental in Waterloo farmland protection and kudos to Angie Koch of Fertile Ground Farms who has already created a great page on her farm website to help raise awareness and to help Wilmot farmers:

	Former Regional Councillor Jane Mitchell - The Countryside Line Is Dead:
	https://janemitchell.blog/2024/04/10/the-countryside-line-is-dead/

	Angie Koch - Farmers Helping Farmers:
	https://www.fertilegroundcsa.com/about/fight-for-our-farmland

Finally for some humour on things in an otherwise devastating situation, here’s a great clip from yesterday in Kitchener where Doug Ford forgets Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, his good friend, his really good friend's name:

	https://x.com/tdotresident/status/1778430744286711863?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw

Lawn Signs - Fight For Farmland - There are lawn signs now available with hundreds of them up already throughout the community.  Order yours online and learn more at:

	www.fightforfarmland.com <http://www.fightforfarmland.com/>

If you can volunteer either as a sign captain for your community/neighbourhood or help to distribute them at the Farmer’s Markets please reach out to wilmotlandowners at gmail.com.

Online Petition - The online petition has almost 30,000 signatures already!  Please sign and promote it:

	https://www.change.org/p/stop-appropriation-targeting-wilmot-township-farmland

3) Bill 162 - The Get It Done Act - Bill 162 is going through final amendments and reading this week at Queen’s Park.  Kudos to Aislinn Clancy, Sandy Shaw, and other opposition MPPs who proposed numerous amendments to prevent the forced boundary expansions to the Official Plans of Waterloo Region and Halton from causing the unnecessary destruction of thousands of acres of irreplaceable farmland as well as other changes to land expropriation and Environmental Assessments to facilitate highway construction, carbon taxes, and road tolls.  Unfortunately all of their amendments were defeated by the Conservatives.

Kudos to local Record Reporter Terry Pender who attended the Standing Committee Line by Line Amendments at Queen’s Park in-person.  We are so lucky to still have media left in our Grand River watershed and working for the greater public good.  Here’s his excellent story:

	The Record - Bill 162 Opening Thousands Of Acres To Developers:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/bill-162-opening-thousands-of-acres-to-developers/article_e7025e68-2f43-56fa-b98b-964c21fa64c6.html

4) Greenbelt Scandal Continues - The provincial Greenbelt scandal continues to be investigated by the RCMP and others.  Even though dates don’t line up and there are serious concerns about using personal e-mail accounts for government business the Ontario Integrity Commissioner has cleared Doug Ford’s Chief of Staff of wrongdoing claiming Ryan Amato overlooked an e-mail informing the Premier’s office 10 days earlier than ever acknowledged of Greenbelt changes.  

Even more interesting is the statement “options to go larger depending on Executive Interest” in the e-mail.  It remains to be seen if this is in reference to taking even larger amounts of land from the Greenbelt for development, or adding more lands to the Greenbelt for protection along the Paris-Galt Moraine.

	The Toronto Star - Ethics Watchdog Clears Doug Ford’s Chief Of Staff After He “Overlooked” Greenbelt E-mail:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/ethics-watchdog-clears-doug-fords-chief-of-staff-after-he-overlooked-greenbelt-email/article_f986ebaa-f2a1-11ee-95d4-cb800771a308.html

Also regarding the RCMP investigation of the Greenbelt, it appears that even the disgraced Minister and other fired employees are expressing surprise that they have yet to be contacted by police more than six months since the investigation began:

	“It’s Very, Very Strange”: Key Figures In Doug Ford’s $8.28 billion Greenbelt Land Swap Are Still Waiting For RCMP Quesitons:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/its-very-very-strange-key-figures-in-doug-fords-8-28b-greenbelt-land-swap-are/article_a15a856a-f5ce-11ee-b11a-4bee696a3d59.html

5) New Troubling Conservation Authority Changes - Hamilton and other Conservation Authorities are expressing concerns about yet more changes limiting the roles of our Conservation Authorities that came in to effect on April 1st:

	The Hamilton Spectator - Hamilton Conservation Authority’s Important Work Threatened:
	https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/hamilton-conservation-authoritys-important-work-threatened/article_b62a1a87-6609-5f8d-9e24-d045ff225447.html

	And the accompanying new provincial regulation on conservation authorities - Regulation 41/24:	
	https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r24041

6) Bill 165 - Keeping Energy Costs Down Act - Doug Ford wants you to pay more for heating and continues to push the ironically named Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, Bill 165 to override the OEB's December decision that Enbridge gas pipeline expansions shouldn't be subsidized by current gas ratepayers given that there are now better alternatives such as heat pumps available.  

The Globe & Mail had a great recent article:

	The Globe & Mail - Why Is Ontario Taking From Homeowners To Subsidize Gas Companies?:	
	https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-why-is-ontario-taking-from-homeowners-to-subsidize-gas-companies/

And on Wednesday evening Environmental Defence led a webinar on Bill 165 including the implications for Ontario. There were some great speakers that spoke to the implications of the proposed legislation including municipal leaders who have been bringing and passing motions at their local Councils.  You can check out the recording here:

	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJgUwSp2K-M

Please see if you can get your local Council to pass a similar motion in support of the OEB and phasing out fossil fuels like Guelph, Hamilton and others.  The Clean Air Alliance has great tools and examples for you:

	https://www.cleanairalliance.org/cities-speak-up/

There is an online petition from Leadnow that makes it easy for everyone to speak up:

	https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/support-the-oeb-don-t-let-doug-ford-and-enbridge-sabotage-our-future

7) YTP Weekend - A reminder that the Yours To Protect Weekend is coming up on April 19th, 20th and 21st with lots of Earth Day focussed activities around Ontario:

	https://environmentaldefence.ca/ytpweekend2024/

8) Recent Articles - Excellent media stories this week include federal housing initiatives, concerns about how Doug Ford is changing housing statistics, Highway #413 and more:

	CBC - Federal Government To Launch $1.5 Billion Fund To Protect Affordable Rentals:
	https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-rental-protection-fund-1.7163429

	The Toronto Star - “It’s Misleading”: Ford Government Ridiculed For Including Student and Retirement Units In New Homes Target:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/its-misleading-ford-government-ridiculed-for-including-student-and-retirement-units-in-new-homes-target/article_114b5c00-f692-11ee-a8f5-ab6f5a337d1f.html
	“At this point the government is going to start counting tents…"

	TVO - The Ford Government Needs To Get Real About Its Own Housing Statistics:
	https://amp.tvo.org/article/the-ford-government-needs-to-get-real-about-its-own-housing-statistics

	The Toronto Star - This Doesn’t Solve Doug Ford’s Federal Problem: Highway 413 Future Unclear Despite Removal Of Roadblocks:
	https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/this-doesn-t-solve-doug-ford-s-federal-problem-highway-413-future-unclear-despite-removal/article_191cbc64-f299-11ee-857d-d754378d0360.html

	CBC - Freeland Announces Housing Affordability Measures For First Time Buyers, Current Owners:	
	https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/freeland-housing-affordability-measures-1.7170671

	TVO - Doug Ford’s Government Is Hands Off - Except When It’s Not:	
	https://www.tvo.org/article/doug-fords-government-is-hands-off-except-when-its-not

9) GreenDrinks KW - Green Drinks KW is a casual gathering where folks interested in the environment can gather to chat, network and enjoy some refreshing drinks.  It’s held on the 4th Wednesday of the month and this time will be on Wednesday, April 24th at Abe Erb in the Tannery Building at 151 Charles Street W., Kitchener from 7pm to 9pm.  

10) Highway #413 Webinar by Environmental Defence - Learn how Highway #413 could still receive a federal impact assessment and other opportunities for challenging this destructive highway on Thursday, April 18th at 7pm as Environmental Defence hosts and educational webinar.  Sign up and learn more at:

	https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/147651/petition/1

Also, Ontario Nature launched an Action Alert to make it easy for you to reach out to your Member of Parliament to encourage federal intervention in this devastating highway:

	 https://ontarionature.good.do/stopthe413/

11) Ontario FAO Report - The Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario has released their latest report comparing revenues, spending, budget balance and net debt between provinces. Ontario’s performance is terrible.  Thanks to Joan Faux for a link to this video that provides a quick summary:

	https://youtu.be/KRakzcB97tE?si=lhxE-3cF_q99gRYj

Here’s a link to more detailed summary and the full report:

	https://fao-on.org/en/Blog/Publications/interprovincial-comparision-2024

12) Other Articles of Interest - Rally’s against RBC, Doug Ford forcing paper bags, fossil fuel subsidies, and the Premier’s office staff earning over $100k doubling in recent years are all stories you may want to read:

	CityNews - Climate Activists Rally Against RBC In Waterloo:
	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/04/06/climate-activists-rally-against-rbc-in-waterloo/

	The Star - Doug Ford Can Fix Your LCBO Bag Woes - Just Don’t Expect Him To Do The Important Part Of His Job:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/doug-ford-can-fix-your-lcbo-bag-woes-just-dont-expect-him-to-do-the/article_5029264e-f694-11ee-9ab8-27254520ac95.html

	The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Forces LCBO To Reinstate Paper Bags:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-forces-lcbo-to-reinstate-paper-bags-for-customers/article_aa44ea56-f5ad-11ee-bbd9-23f329654c91.html

	The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Bristles At Questions About $100,000 Salaries In His Office That Have Doubled:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-bristles-at-questions-about-100-000-salaries-in-his-office/article_b518a430-f5cc-11ee-adbf-1356d93117c7.html

	The Tyee - Worried About Taxpayer Dollars? Focus on Fossil Fuel Subsidies - They Cost Canadians A Lot More Money Than The Carbon Tax:
	https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2024/04/11/Worried-Taxpayer-Dollars-Focus-Fossil-Fuel-Subsidies/

	The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Should Stop Subsidizing Our Hydro Bills - Because He’s Starving Health Care and Education To Pay For It:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/doug-ford-should-stop-subsidizing-our-hydro-bills-because-hes-starving-health-care-and-education/article_01947df6-f777-11ee-a812-5b45ee123520.html

13) Reminder - Next Meeting - Join us next, Friday, April 19th at 5:30pm to discuss the latest news and what’s next:

	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.

-----------------------------------
A) Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 18th - 7:00pm - Highway #413 Webinar - https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/147651/petition/1

Friday, April 19th - 5:30pm - Next update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Saturday, Apr 20th - 1pm to 3pm - Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) Open House - https://reepgreen.ca/reep-house-for-sustainable-living/

Wednesday, April 24th - 7pm to 9pm - GreenDrinks KW - Abe Erb in the Tannery Building at 151 Charles Street W., Kitchener

Sunday, April 28th - Killer Water: The toxic legacy of Canada’s oil sands industry for Indigenous communities - Princess Twin in Waterloo, Sunday April 28th - https://www.ink-stainedwretches.org/film-festival.html

Wednesday, May 1st - 6:30pm to 8:30pm - Waterloo Region Climate Collaborative - Help local environmental groups figure out how we can collaborate and work together better - Civic Hub 23 Water Street N. Kitchener or on Zoom at  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86159205227?pwd=OWhYOEo5ZFN0RjlOU3laVHVLT1RYUT09

-----------------------------------
B) Bill 185 & PPS Resources and Information

Bill 185 Full Official Text:
https://www.ola.org/sites/default/files/node-files/bill/document/pdf/2024/2024-04/b185_e.pdf

PPS - Review Of Proposed Policies For A New Provincial Planning Policy Instrument:
https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8462

-----------------------------------
C) Wilmot Township Farmland Assembly and Massive Development Request To Province

Four Maps:

It’s increasingly clear that there is a plan here larger than these 770 acres of industrial mega-site expansion and that we need to be calling out Wilmot Township’s scheme to create a new city with no public engagement, no studies/research, no mandate, and so contrary to all previous planning/expectations.  

There are 4 significant maps that take on even more significance now:

A) Development Lands provided to Wilmot in August 2022 Regional Official Plan - shown in blue about 46ha of expansion with a focus on minimal farmland loss and population growth of about 7,000 to 14,000 people.

B) Development Lands forced open by Minister Clark in April, 2023 with no explanation or rationale or justification.  No idea how any of this additional growth of thousands of additional people would be serviced but it was all approved for development.

C) Hundreds of Acres of Additional Lands beyond the Minister Clark expansions requested by Wilmot Council in November, 2023 with no public consultation and no idea how any of it would be serviced either or how this population would be supported as it was so incongruent to the ROP and all previous planning including destroying the Countryside Line - which was supposed to be the long-term boundary until at least 2051.

D) The latest map showing the 770 ha of farmland threatened with expropriation in March, 2024.  No clue on how any of this massive industrial facility potentially employing thousands of people would be serviced in addition to all of the residential growth and other employment lands growth.  This is lands for many tens of thousands of people at current density and required intensification levels of at least 85 people/jobs per hectare.  In fact the farmlands being proposed for destruction are almost the size of all of the existing towns New Hamburg and Baden that have taken centuries to build.

March 4th, 2024 Wilmot Township Bill 162 Staff Report again re-requesting all of this massive development in Wilmot Township starting on Page 151.

	https://calendar.wilmot.ca/townshipcalendar/Detail/2024-03-04-1900-Council-Meeting/e1189e00-e790-4e4c-8bc7-b12401781ee7

We need to challenge Wilmot Council on what mandate do they have for all this growth and such significant expansion contrary to the Regional Official Plan and all previous planning expectations at such a cost of our very successful agricultural community.  As well as continue to push back on this absurd location for a mega-industrial site.  There are far better locations with far fewer negative impacts.

--------------------------------
E) Wilmot Farm Land Expropriation - Queen’s Park Today

Waterloo Region Threatens To Expropriate Farmland After PCs Ask:

--------------------------------
F) Thursday, April 18th - Highway 413 Webinar:

Highway #413 Webinar - https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/147651/petition/1

--------------------------------
G) Saturday, April 20th - REEP Open House:

https://reepgreen.ca/reep-house-for-sustainable-living/

----------------------------------
H) Speak Up and Ensure Your Voice is Heard:

Wilmot Township Council

Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Wilmot, natasha.salonen at wilmot.ca <mailto:natasha.salonen at wilmot.ca>
Stewart Cressman, Councillor Ward 1, Wilmot, stewart.cressman at wilmot.ca <mailto:stewart.cressman at wilmot.ca>
Kris Wilkinson, Councillor Ward 2, Wilmot, kris.wilkinson at wilmot.ca <mailto:kris.wilkinson at wilmot.ca>
Havir Sidhu, Councillor Ward 3, Wilmot, harvir.sidhu at wilmot.ca <mailto:harvir.sidhu at wilmot.ca>
Lillianne Dunstall, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, lillianne.dunstall at wilmot.ca <mailto:lillianne.dunstall at wilmot.ca>
Steven Martin, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, steven.martin at wilmot.ca <mailto:steven.martin at wilmot.ca>

Region of Waterloo Council

Karen Redman, Regional Chair, kredman at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:kredman at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor, Kitchener, berryv at kitchener.ca <mailto:berryv at kitchener.ca>
Dorothy McCabe, Mayor, City of Waterloo, dorothy.mccabe at waterloo.ca <mailto:dorothy.mccabe at waterloo.ca>
Jan Liggett, Cambridge Mayor, Cambridge, liggettj at cambridge.ca <mailto:liggettj at cambridge.ca>
Sue Foxton, Mayor, North Dumfries, sfoxton at northdumfries.ca <mailto:sfoxton at northdumfries.ca>
Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Wilmot, natasha.salonen at wilmot.ca <mailto:natasha.salonen at wilmot.ca>
Joe Nowak, Mayor, Wellesley, jnowak at wellesley.ca <mailto:jnowak at wellesley.ca>
Sandy Shantz, Mayor, Woolwich, sshantz at woolwich.ca <mailto:sshantz at woolwich.ca>
Doug Craig, Regional Councillor, Cambridge, dougcraig at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:dougcraig at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Pam Wolf, Regional Councillor, Cambridge, pwolf at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:pwolf at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Colleen James, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, CJames at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:CJames at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Michael Harris, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, MHarris at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:MHarris at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Kari Williams, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, KariWilliams at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:KariWilliams at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Rob Deutschmann, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, RDeutschmann at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:RDeutschmann at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Jim Erb, Regional Councillor, Waterloo, JErb at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:JErb at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Chantal Huinink, Regional Councillor, Waterloo, CHuinink at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:CHuinink at regionofwaterloo.ca>

Province of Ontario

Premier Doug Ford - doug.fordco at pc.ola.org <mailto:doug.fordco at pc.ola.org> or 416-325-1941
Paul Calandra - Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing - paul.calandra at pc.ola.org <mailto:steve.clark at pc.ola.org> or 416-585-7000
Andrea Khanjin - Minster of Environment, Conservation and Parks - andrea.khanjin at pc.ola.org <mailto:andrea.khanjin at pc.ola.org> or 705-722-0575
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

Local Green Party MPPs:
Mike Schreiner - MPP Guelph - mschreiner at ola.or <mailto:mschreiner at ola.org>g or (519) 836-4190
New! - Aislinn Clancy - MPP Kitchener Centre - aclancy-co at ola.org <mailto:aclancy-co at ola.org> or 519-579-5460

Independent MPPs:
Bobbi Ann Brady - MPP Haldimand-Norfolk - babrady-co at ola.org <mailto:babrady-co at ola.org> or (519) 428-0446

Federal Members of Parliament

Local Liberal MPs:
Bryan May - MP Cambridge - bryan.may at parl.gc.ca <mailto:bryan.may at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 624-7440
Tim Louis - MP Kitchener-Conestoga - tim.louis at parl.gc.ca <mailto:tim.louis at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 578-3777
Valerie Bradford - MP Kitchener-South Hespeler - valerie.bradford at parl.gc.ca <mailto:valerie.bradford at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 571-5509
Bardish Chagger - MP Waterloo - bardish.chagger at parl.gc.ca <mailto:bardish.chagger at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 746-1573
Lloyd Longfield - MP Guelph - lloyd.longfield at parl.gc.ca <mailto:lloyd.longfield at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 837-8276

Local Conservative MPs:
Michael Chong - MP Wellington-Halton Hills - michael.chong at parl.gc.ca <mailto:michael.chong at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 843-7344
Larry Brok - MP Brantford-Brant - larry.brock at parl.gc.ca <mailto:larry.brock at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 754-4300
John Nater - MP Perth-Wellington - john.nater at parl.gc.ca <mailto:john.nater at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 273-1400

Local Green Party MPs:
Mike Morrice - MP Kitchener - mike.morrice at parl.gc.ca <mailto:mike.morrice at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 741-2001

-----------------------------------
Kevin Thomason
Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network
www.gren.ca <http://www.gren.ca/>

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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