[All] Huge Wilmot Protests Planned, More Answers Denied, New PPS, Ford Backtracks On Wind Energy, Zoom Meeting Friday at 5:30pm

Thu Aug 22 23:57:54 EDT 2024

Good Day,

It’s been an astonishing week as cabinet ministers attack the Region of Waterloo, the Region fights back, huge rallies are planned for this coming Monday and Wednesday, more Freedom Of Information Requests have been denied, a new Provincial Planning Statement has been released - changing everything in the province, Ford flip flops on wind energy, and lots more to discuss at our Friday at 5:30pm Zoom meeting.  Details are as follows:

	Join us Friday August 23rd at 5:30pm:
	https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

And here’s the dial-in information in case you want to join by phone:

	One tap mobile: +17806660144,,82644695701#,,,,*713374# Canada or dial direct: (647) 558-0588:

	Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701
	Passcode: 713374

Here’s the latest:

1) Wilmot Fight For Farmland Update - After the breaking news late last week with the stunning statement from Minister Vic Fedeli and Minister Mike Harris Jr. blaming the Region of Waterloo for everything that has gone wrong with the Wilmot Land Assembly, it was surprising to see Regional Chair Karen Redman fight back.  In a series of interviews and statements Chair Redman admitted that the province was the entity behind things from the onset, that it was the province that had demanded all the secrecy, refused any public meetings, and forced the Region of Waterloo down the disastrous path it has been on for this massive mega-industrial site.

Be it the Ontario Science Centre, the Greenbelt, Ontario Place, or numerous other provincial fiascos this Wilmot Land Assembly seems to fit the provincial pattern of not nearly enough planning, too little knowledge, no public consultation, lots of secret backroom meetings, and lots of very expensive bungling to try to make a bad idea from the onset somehow work.  Renown Queen’s Park reporter John Micheal McGrath summed things up the best:

	“The problem for Harris, at least is that it’s now clear that the government is already up to its neck in all this, and short of abandoning the mega-site plan entirely, voters aren’t likely to forget."

Read the entire excellent article at:

	TVO Today - Does The Province Want Municipalities To Expropriate Land Or Not?:
	https://www.tvo.org/article/does-the-province-want-municipalities-to-expropriate-land-or-not

It’s clear that citizens are the losers here as we are still in the dark and are having an awful mega-industrial site that is contrary to all previous planning forced onto our communities without any of the proper processes, studies, planning, or even anyone having a clue what this is all going to cost while our farmers and local communities pay the price.

Below are numerous new media articles detailing the bashing between the province and region. It’s clear that this absurd project needs to be restarted with a better location, proper planning processes, and a far better outcome:

Cabinet Ministers Attack Region:

	The Record - Playing The Blame Game Over Wilmot - “No Part Of This Has Gone Well”:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/playing-the-blame-game-over-wilmot-no-part-of-this-has-gone-well/article_428e61bc-229e-5499-a193-41a4ca70898c.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=ymbii

	CTV CKCO News - Minister and MPP “Disappointed” In Land Assembly Process In Wilmot Township:
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/minister-and-mpp-disappointed-in-land-assembly-process-in-wilmot-township-1.7001921

	Waterloo Chronicle/The Record - Playing The Blame Game Over Wilmot:
	https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/waterloo-region/playing-the-blame-game-over-wilmot/article_df9f6c3c-4d11-57df-bf7c-edef7b9ba13c.html

	CTV CKCO News - Waterloo Region Councillors Look For Answers After Crop Destruction: - Updated
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/waterloo-regional-councillors-look-for-answers-after-crop-destruction-1.7001912

	CityNews - MPP Harris Says Province Helping To Fund Wilmot Land Assembly:
	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/15/mpp-harris-says-province-will-be-helping-fund-wilmot-land-assembly/?

Region Attacks Province:

	CityNews - “Surprised” And “Confused”: Regional Chair Responds To Ford Government Slamming Wilmot Land Assembly:
	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/16/surprised-and-confused-regional-chair-responds-to-ford-government-slamming-wilmot-land-assembly/?

	CBC - Region And Province In “Lockstep” On Wilmot Land Purchase, Chair Surprised By Minister’s Comments:
	https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/wilmot-township-land-purchase-waterloo-region-province-comments-1.7296363

And the Green Party has issued a scathing statement:

	Green Party Of Ontario - Ford Government Shirking Responsibility For Wilmot Wrongs:
	https://gpo.ca/2024/08/15/ford-government-shirking-responsibility-for-wilmot-wrongs/

And some great Letters to the Editor:

	The Record - Politicians Acting Like Bullies In Wilmot Need Timeout, All Is Not Lost In Wilmot Land Chaos:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/aug-17-politicians-acting-like-bullies-in-wilmot-spat-need-a-timeout-blue-jays-fans/article_dead414e-ba0c-59ca-95e4-813a82990180.html?

2) Huge Wilmot Rallies Planned - We need you, your family, your friends, and other citizens outraged about so many concerns being ignored by Wilmot Township, Waterloo Region, and MPP Mike Harris Jr., to rally and show firsthand that we are unwilling.  Bring your signs and banners.  PunkeyDoodles Steve will perform his hit “770 acres”, there will be presentations by impacted farmers, and we encourage you to bring boxes of Corn Flakes cereal to donate to the Wilmot Family Resource Centre. 

It would be fantastic to have crowds unlike Wilmot Township or the Region has ever seen.  Come and spend part of a beautiful summer evening with your neighbours speaking up for the future you would like to see:

	Wilmot Township Council: 60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden - Monday, August 26th - 5:30 pm (council meeting starts at 7:00 pm)

	Region of Waterloo Council: 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener - Wednesday, August 28th - 6:00 pm (council meeting starts at 7:00pm)

We encourage you to walk, cycle, take transit, or park on area side streets.  Attached below is a poster with additional details.

3) Additional Freedom Of Information Requests Denied - In yet another astounding action continuing the secrecy and lack of transparency about this mega-industrial site the latest Fight For Farmland Freedom Of Information Request has been denied and citizens remain in the dark about any studies or research done for this mega-industrial site.  

This latest request was simply seeking “responsive records” or a simple listing of the names and titles of any studies we have been denied access to in early FIR requests.  Quite simply we are trying to see if there have even been any studies done and the refusal to provide us with even just the names of such studies may be indicative that there are no studies to reference and proper planning studies have not even been undertaken or completed.

It certainly isn’t in the best public interest to have so much secrecy surrounding this massive proposed industrial development that has already been bungled so badly.  We continue to work with the Privacy and Information Commissioner on investigations and appeals, along with the Integrity Commissioners, and Provincial Ombudsman.

4) Additional Fight For Farmland Media Coverage - The considerable media coverage of the Wilmot land grab continues in agricultural publications across Ontario including:

	Ontario Farmer - Is It A Bullying Tactic Ahead Of Farmland Expropriation To Create 770 Acre Site?:
	https://www.ontariofarmer.com/news/farm-news/is-it-a-bullying-tactic-ahead-of-farmland-expropriation-to-create-770-acre-site

	Farmtario - Editorial: Shrouded In Secrecy:
	https://farmtario.com/news/editorial-shrouded-in-secrecy/

	Farmtario - Wilmot Township Not A Willing Host For Industrial Site:
	https://farmtario.com/news/wilmot-township-not-a-willing-host-for-industrial-site/

5) New Provincial Planning Statement - In a surprising announcement at the AMO Conference on Tuesday, Housing Minister Paul Calandra released a new Provincial Planning Statement.  This is the paramount document that sets the tone and standards for all planning rules in Ontario and will have far-reaching impacts.  One of the most significant negative impacts is the elimination of the provincial Growth Plan that sought to more sustainably guide growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.  Environmental Defence has described these announcements as a disaster for Ontario’s environment and noted it will lead to significantly more unaffordable urban sprawl.  Read their full statement:

	Environmental Defence Statement - Killing Growth Plan For Greater Golden Horseshoe Is A Disaster For Ontario’s Environment and Efforts To End Housing Shortage:
	https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/08/20/killing-growth-plan-for-greater-golden-horseshoe-is-a-disaster-for-ontarios-environment-and-efforts-to-end-housing-shortage/

Here’s the official government press release with links to the full PPS document:

	Government Press Release - Ontario Giving Municipalities The Tools They Need To Get More Homes Built Faster:
	https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004950/ontario-giving-municipalities-the-tools-they-need-to-get-more-homes-built-faster

And media reports include:

	The Record - Ontario Sets New Planning Rules Intended To Boost Home Building:
	https://www.therecord.com/business/ontario-sets-new-planning-rules-intended-to-boost-home-building/article_9b58f58e-129a-564b-8606-1c4100cb6daf.html

While the government tried to position the removal of so many important rules and guidelines as a way to get more homes built faster, the reality is that more changes and continual chaos isn’t going to provide the planning certainty builders and investors need for a stable housing market.  Housing numbers continue to plummet here in Ontario while other provinces are successfully adding increasing amounts of new housing:

	The Record - Waterloo Region’s Housing Slump Deepened In July:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-regions-housing-slump-deepened-in-july/article_96679b47-785e-598f-a643-b7b63857f636.html
	- new home construction is still falling far short of even half the needed level

6) Doug Ford's Reverse-Course On Wind Energy - After wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars foolishly cancelling clean energy contracts on his first days in office, Premier Doug Ford is now trying to convince energy companies to return to Ontario to deal with looming electricity shortages.  Unfortunately, Ontario's lead in clean energy has been squandered, we’ve had to endure years of additional unnecessary fossil fuel emissions, and we will now be struggling to catch-up to the rest of the world that has moved forward with astonishing amounts of wind power.

Hopefully, the provincial government will start to realize even more of the benefits of wind and solar power including how much more cost effective free wind and sunshine are than expensive polluting fossil gas and uranium for nuclear generating stations.

	CBC - Doug Ford Shifts Direction On Wind Energy In Ontairo:
	https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-wind-power-green-energy-doug-ford-electricity-1.7297217

7) Grand River Conservation Authority Announces Troubling Changes - This Friday, the GRCA will be approving a land disposition policy and moving to radically cap public delegations to future GRCA meetings:

a) Land Dispositions - The GRCA has identified 9 parcels of land for potential disposition, including an 8 ha parcel of the former Kortright Waterfowl Park in Guelph.

	Please engage with your MPPs and members of the GRCA Board, listed at this link:
	https://www.grandriver.ca/en/who-we-are/GRCA-Board-of-Directors.aspx#gsc.tab=0

In particular, Green Party Leader, Mike Schreiner, is encouraging people to contact his office so he can document community concern: mschreiner-co at ola.org <mailto:mschreiner-co at ola.org>

Tell GRCA Board members that "mitigation" of ecologically sensitive lands is not good enough - they need to be protected!  Ask Board members why the disposition policy is silent on the issue of species at risk.  Ask how financial contributions to conservation land purchases made by local municipalities will be accounted for if land is sold!

b) Limit and Cap Public Delegations - Tell the GRCA Board not to cut and cap total public delegations.. 10 out of 17 meetings in the last year and a half had ZERO delegations.  This move to cut delegations when people actually engage with issues is undemocratic and sends a message that public input is not welcome or wanted.

You can read about the big issues facing Conservation Authorities on this blog on the Environmental Defence website:

	Premier Ford's greenspace carve outs: Coming soon to a Conservation Area near you:
	https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/08/14/premier-fords-greenspace-carve-outs-coming-soon-to-a-conservation-area-near-you/

Here is recent coverage of GRCA issues that you can reference in your letters, calls and presentations:

	The Record - GRCA identifies land parcels for housing, but keeps locations secret:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/grca-identifies-land-parcels-for-housing-but-keeps-locations-secret/article_e4045c81-19bd-5f94-972d-7c03201383b9.html#tncms-source=login

	GuelphToday.com - GRCA approves Niska Management Plan, but does it go far enough?:
	https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/grca-approves-niska-lands-management-plan-but-does-it-go-far-enough-9153763

	GuelphToday.com - Mistake to start selling off Kortright Waterfowl Park:
	https://www.guelphtoday.com/letters-to-the-editor/letter-mistake-to-start-selling-off-kortright-waterfowl-park-9363006

c) GRCA Nature Centres For School Students - Also, we need to ensure that the GRCA Nature Centres find future funding or they face closure and potential disposition.  In a conversation last week GRCA Chair Sue Foxton stated that discussions are underway with area municipalities to help to provide the needed funding.  We had originally been told there was a January 2024 deadline for funding, then a September, 2024 deadline, and apparently now there is until 2026 to find the needed funds.  Please continue to ask questions and do everything possible to ensure that these essential outdoor education centres remain open, fully functional, and are not sold off.

8) Conestoga Meats Seeks To Clearcut Significant Forest - An expansion by Conestoga Meats near Breslau is coming to Region of Waterloo on August 28th for a decision on wether to permit the destruction of a significant 36 acres of forest on the property.  There have been proposals to try to reforest other parcels and offset damages, however considerable issues remain with each alternative.

Amazing Woolwich citizen forester Inga Rinne is looking for citizens eager to work with her to find better solutions including how best to recreate deep forest interior habitat.  Please reach out to her at inga at rinne.ca if you can assist or would be interested in delegating next week at the Region.

9) Hamilton’s Firm Urban Boundary Threatened By Developers - Despite being successful at keeping their visionary Official Plan with no farmland loss intact from numerous provincial attempts to override it, the City of Hamilton is now facing new issues from a provincial government determined to undermine sustainability for farmland-destroying urban sprawl.  Learn more:

	The Hamilton Spectator - Provincial Changes Undermine Hamilton’s Frozen Urban Boundary:
	https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/provincial-changes-undermine-hamiltons-frozen-urban-boundary/article_79ef1b1d-ef9a-5562-ba84-d052fa47daa4.html
	“The entire point of Bill 195, The Cutting Red Tape To Build More Homes Act is to undermine local decisions that were not in line with the province’s goal"

10) Recent Articles - Includes waiving property taxes in Kitchener, Waterloo affordable housing, crushing GTA gridlock forecast, and how Ontario allows industry to evade pollution rules:

	The Record - “Absolute Game-Changer”: Kitchener To Waive Property Taxes For Some Affordable Housing Providers:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/absolute-game-changer-kitchener-to-waive-property-taxes-for-some-affordable-housing-providers/article_04b5b483-6bb0-5c13-bfa0-c329b28b09e9.html

	The Record - Waterloo City Hall Describes Affordable Housing It Wants In A Hurry:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-city-hall-describes-affordable-housing-it-wants-in-a-hurry/article_e8fc2e69-5648-5018-a96e-7a9cf4dbee77.html

	CityNews - City Of Waterloo Seeks Developer For Affordable Housing Project Near RIM Park:
	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/16/waterloo-seeks-developer-for-affordable-housing-project-near-rim-park/?

	The Trillium - Internal Ontario Government Forecast Shows Crushing Gridlock Ahead - Even With Highway 413:
	https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/internal-ontario-government-traffic-forecast-shows-crushing-gridlock-ahead-even-with-the-413-9356033

	The Record - Preserving Indigenous Archeological Sites Shouldn’t Be Seen As Just More “Red Tape”:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/preserving-indigenous-archeological-sites-shouldnt-been-seen-as-just-more-red-tape/article_9fde8cb7-edda-55d1-8236-b82ba04a8cdb.html <https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/preserving-indigenous-archeological-sites-shouldnt-been-seen-as-just-more-red-tape/article_9fde8cb7-edda-55d1-8236-b82ba04a8cdb.html?source=newsletter&utm_content=a05&utm_source=ml_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_email=2DF5A405D6082D2C0C4FDB5202BCAE69&utm_campaign=wrop_740>

	The Narwhal - How Ontario Allows Industry To Evade Air Pollution Rules:
	https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-air-pollution-rules/

11) Save Birds! - FLAP Webinar - In preparation for fall migration FLAP (the Fatal Light Awareness Program) is hosting a special webinar on September 4th at 12:00 noon to help raise awareness and deal with the millions of birds that will be killed in collisions with buildings and windows.  Learn more at:

	Make Every Bird Count, Join The Global Bird Rescue:
	https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U4IFXuU-Rx-ztQ8LtwBkMg?mc_cid=0d258fd9c6&mc_eid=691e5ea74e#/registration

12) Narwhal Calls Out Enbridge and the Provincial Government - It’s becoming increasingly apparent just how much the provincial government is propping up fossil gas companies at great cost rather than facilitating the transition to the carbon-free future we need to have to successfully address global climate change.  Is this close contact between the Ford government and Enbridge leading up to the OEB decision that has been revealed through FOI requests a reason for the abrupt departure last week of former Minister of Energy Todd Smith?

It’s troubling to see our government moving in the wrong directions and congratulations to Fatima Syed at the Narwal for more great investigative journalism:

	The Narwhal - Ontario Is Taking Cues From Enbridge Gas - A Fossil Fuel Giant “Freaking Out” About Its Future:
	https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-consults-enbridge-natural-gas-decision/

13) Yet Another Quarry We Don’t Need - Ramara Township - Please consider signing, sharing and promoting the petition, "Say No to LCP Brechin Quarry Application & Quarry Monopoly in Ramara Township”. 

	https://chng.it/yQ2pV6HSTb 

Midhurst Aggregates (MNR) also responded with an ERO (Environmental Registry Ontario) number, ERO 019-8945. 

	https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8945

Please share widely and submit as many comments as possible to the Environmental Registry Ontario using ERO 019-8945. The comment period runs from August 7th to October 7th.  

14) Speak Up For A Deposit-Return System - Environmental Defence has launched a campaign to encourage the provincial government to reconsider a deposit-return system which would greatly benefit the environment by less littering, better re-use/recycling and less wasteful garbage.  Act with one-click at:

	https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/154049/action/1?ea.url.id=7350370

15) Healthcare Not Highways Weekend - September 14th & 15th - With a healthcare crisis it is troubling to see the provincial government wasting billions of dollars on unnecessary highways through the Greenbelt.  Rallies and events will be held across Ontario.  Learn more at:

	https://environmentaldefence.ca/healthcarenothighways/

16) Other Articles To Note - Include solar power providing more energy than big oil and nurses calling out Highway #413, 

	Bloomberg - Solar Power Giants Are Providing More Energy Than Big Oil:
	https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-06-13/solar-power-s-giants-are-providing-more-energy-than-big-oil?
	Seven solar companies most people haven’t heard of, are ALREADY providing more energy for the global economy than Exxon, Chevron, Shell and BP.

	TVO Today - Why Ontario Nurses Are Calling Out Highway #413:
	https://www.tvo.org/article/why-ontario-nurses-are-calling-out-highway-413

17) Petersburg Pit Funding Campaign - A Small Change Funding Campaign has been started to help with the fight for the Petersburg pit in Wilmot Township in Waterloo Region.  Learn more at:

	https://smallchangefund.ca/project/stop-the-petersburg-sand-pit/

18) Co-operate For Canada - New Webinar For Academics Aug 29th at 7:30pm - Cooperate For Canada that is urging cooperation between the NDP, Liberals, and Green Parties is continuing with the launch of their campaign with a webinar specifically for Academics to take action.  Attend at the following link:

	https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/89535172887#success

And learn more about their progressive ideas for better government and policy at:

	https://cooperateforcanada.ca/ontario/

19) City of Waterloo Official Plan Open House - September 12th - The City of Waterloo has announced the Open House meetings for their Official Plan Review on Thursday, Sept 12th from 2pm to 4pm or 5pm to 8pm at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex at 101 Father David Bauer Drive in Waterloo.  The Official Plan Reviews are one of the most important times to determine the future of our communities.  Speak up for the future that you want to see.  More details are in the attached PDF and the link below:

	https://www.engagewr.ca/waterloo-official-plan

20) Labour Day Picnic - Waterloo Regional Labour Council - Monday, Sept 2nd - Come to Waterloo Park from 12pm to 4pm on holiday Monday, September 2nd for $1 food items, activities, and free live music.  RSVP and learn more at:

	https://waterloolabour.ca/events/labour-day-picnic-2024/

21) Fordfest Follow-up - Thanks to everyone who travelled to Milton this past Friday for FordFest.  It was fantastic to see over 250 energetic people out to give FordFest attendees a warm welcome.  There were tons of signs, banners, flags and lots of noise.  There was also considerable media coverage with at least four different television stations providing live coverage of our protest.  Well done!  Lets continue to send a strong message to Doug Ford and his government that we need better.

22) Greenbelt Party Sept 29th - Greenbelt Promise has announced a Greenbelt fundraiser on Sunday, September 29th from 12pm to 5pm with live music, barn dancing, local food, and family activities to further protection of the Greenbelt at the Bela Farm in Hillsburgh.  There’ll be amazing food, local beverages, and contra dancing!

Learn more and purchase your tickets at:	

	https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-barn-dance-at-bela-farm-tickets-970443391307

A Final Good New Story -
23) A Rapid Shift From Gasoline In A Surprising Place - More than 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) are overtaking gasoline powered cars as Ethiopia became the first country in the world to ban the import of new gasoline powered cars and has significantly raised gasoline prices to instead better utilize cheaper, more environmentally friendly abundant clean hydro-electric power.

	EVs Are Starting To OverTake Gas-Powered Cars In A Surprising Place:
	https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/17/climate/ethiopia-evs-gas-car-ban-climate/index.html

I was recently in Ethiopia last year and continue to marvel at the rapid advancement of this country - not only are there daily flights from Toronto to the a massive airport in Addis Ababa that is bigger than Pearson Airport in Toronto, but the dozens of the most modern airplanes flying today - Boeing 787’s, 777’s, 737 Max, Airbus A350’s, and A321’s - worth billions of dollars all carrying the Ethiopian Airlines logo show their ambitions to become the hub and a leader for the entire continent of Africa.  

24) Reminder - Next Meeting - Join us today Friday, August 23rd at 5:30pm online at the Zoom link below:

	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, Mike Marcolongo, and Joan Faux on behalf of all our community groups.

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A) Upcoming Events - Get out and get involved!

Friday, August 23rd at 5:30pm - Next group update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Friday, August 23rd to Sunday, August 25th - Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow Mississaugas Of The Credit - https://newcreditcc.com/?service=pow-wow-schedule-fees

Monday, August 26th - 5:30pm - Wilmot Township Council Meeting Protest Rally - www.fightforfarmland.com <http://www.fightforfarmland.com/>

Monday, August 26th - 7pm - City of Kitchener ClimateActionWR/Waterloo Climate Collaborative Council Delegation - https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/appear-as-a-delegation.aspx

Wednesday, August 28th at 6:30pm - Fight For Farmland Rally at Region of Waterloo Council - 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener - www.fightforfarmland.com <http://www.fightforfarmland.com/>

Monday, September 2nd - Labour Day Picnic - Waterloo Park - https://waterloolabour.ca/events/labour-day-picnic-2024/

Saturday and Sunday September 14th & 15th - Healthcare Not Highways - https://environmentaldefence.ca/healthcarenothighways/

Sunday, September 29th from 12pm to 5pm - Greenbelt Party in Hillsburgh - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-barn-dance-at-bela-farm-tickets-970443391307

October 1st - Seniors Day Of Action On Climate - https://actionnetwork.org/forms/join-the-seniors-for-climate-mailing-list

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B) Fight For Farmland - Rallies - Monday, August 26th in Wilmot at 5:30pm
	- Wednesday, August 28th at Regional Council in Kitchener at 6:00pm

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C) City of Waterloo Official Plan Information - September 12th, 2024

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D) Waterloo Regional Labour Council Labour Day Picnic - Monday, Sept 2nd 12pm to 4pm:

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E) Recent Media

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F) 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> or 519-634-8519 x 9351
Stewart Cressman, Councillor Ward 1, Wilmot, stewart.cressman at wilmot.ca <mailto:stewart.cressman at wilmot.ca> or 519-807-1496	
Kris Wilkinson, Councillor Ward 2, Wilmot, kris.wilkinson at wilmot.ca <mailto:kris.wilkinson at wilmot.ca> or 519-807-4173
Harvir Sidhu, Councillor Ward 3, Wilmot, harvir.sidhu at wilmot.ca <mailto:harvir.sidhu at wilmot.ca> or 519-807-2521
Lillianne Dunstall, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, lillianne.dunstall at wilmot.ca <mailto:lillianne.dunstall at wilmot.ca> or 519-807-4975
Steven Martin, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, steven.martin at wilmot.ca <mailto:steven.martin at wilmot.ca> or 519-807-5214

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 - available 24/7 - all calls confidential
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 - Minister of Red Tape Reduction, 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
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 Brock - 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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