[All] Breaking News - Feds Refuse Hwy 413 Assessment, Absurd Brantford PIC, GRCA Source Water Protection Plan, Hamilton Faces Forced Boundary Expansion, Fight For Farmland In The News, Puslinch's Troubling Growth Plans, and More!
Kevin Thomason
kevinthomason at mac.com
Mon Dec 23 10:30:25 EST 2024
Good Day,
**** Breaking News as the Federal Government announces at 4:59pm on Friday that it refuses to intervene in Highway #413:
0) Federal Liberals Put Another Nail in the Coffin of their Declining Environmental Record by Refusing to Designate Highway 413 Under the Impact Assessment Act - Despite overwhelmingly scientific evidence that Highway 413 will decimate key species at risk in Southern Ontario including the endangered Redside Dace, the threatened Western Chorus Frog and the endangered Rapids Clubtail in Southern Ontario - the Federal government informed Highway 413 foes just shy of 5pm on Friday before Christmas holiday that they are not proceeding with a comprehensive Environmental Assessment which is well within their jurisdiction. This is an incredibly disappointing decision as it signals that Ontario's addiction to the automobile that necessitates the building of very expensive destructive infrastructure that undermines our farmland, forests and wetlands will continue into the coming decades.
A big thanks to everyone that has been working on this campaign and we can confirm that organizations such as Environmental Defence will use every legal and political tool available to protect the natural spaces and farmland that would be sacrificed for this corrupt highway.
Environmental Defence media statement:
https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/12/23/federal-governments-refusal-to-designate-highway-413-for-impact-assessment-is-disappointing-and-reduces-the-tools-available-to-properly-protect-federal-environmental-values/
Action Required: Continue to speak up with concerns about Highway #413. In such rapidly changing political landscapes and such widespread public opposition there still could many opportunities to see this highway cancelled and better initiatives undertaken instead.
It’s been a crazy week in politics, Brantford wins for the most absurd Public Information Centre event, the Grand River Conservation Authority surprises with a January 13th deadline for an update to its Source Water Protection Plan, Hamilton faces continued forced boundary expansion threats, Fight For Farmland is in the news on a variety of issues, Puslinch Township announces growth plans that could spell trouble for groundwater, and more.
Here’s the latest:
1) Brantford D’Aubigny Creek Watershed Development Plan Open House - Friday, December 20th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm - The City of Brantford wins the prize for the most absurd Public Information Centre event time of this past Friday night from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the start of the Christmas holidays. It’s unknown if they hoped that people would stop at the Open House on their way home from Christmas Festivities or that perhaps if the mall was too busy one would attend the PIC instead. However, kudos for their optimism and tenacity (unless the goal was to try to choose the absolute worst possible time to ensure the least amount of public turnout late on a Friday evening right before the holidays just as school is out, etc). Thankfully there is a second date in January if you happened to miss this first very unique Open House.
D’Aubigny Creek is a cold water tributary of the Grand River and the development proposed by developer LIV Communities would negatively impact the wetlands that feed the tributary. Study information is available at:
https://www.rjburnside.com/shellard-lane-development/
Note: Apparently a neighbourhood meeting for the Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendment for the Shellard Lane Special Policy Area 20 will be occurring during the same times/same locations as the PIC #2 Meeting:
Public Information Centre (PIC #2) Drop-In:
Date: Friday, December 20, 2024 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Location: Saint Basil / Walter Gretzky Catholic Elementary School, 365 Blackburn Dr, Brantford N3T 0G5
Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Location: Saint Theresa School, 12 Dalewood Ave, Brantford N3T 5L7
Action Required - Speak up to protect this watershed from development impacts.
2) Will Federal Political Chaos Impact Our Local Environmental Issues? - This has been a very busy news week in a year of busy news weeks. This week is unusual as it has been dominated by federal politics with the surprise announcement on Monday by Chrystia Freeland with her decision to quit the federal cabinet just hours before she was scheduled to do the fall economic statement. Her exit as Minister of Finance has has created a lot of uncertainty. The loonie has dropped in value. In the US Donald Trump is attempting to interfere and his inauguration in January is looming. Will these events have an impact on local planning and decisions - such as the proposed Wilmot land assembly? We need to keep a close eye as it appears more and more people in the US are talking about Canada as a 51st state:
CTV - U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump Says Canada Becoming 51st State Is A Great Idea:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/donald-trump-says-canada-becoming-51st-u-s-state-is-a-great-idea-jean-charest-calls-the-comment-a-wake-up-call-1.7149805
CBC - Unpacking Trump’s Latest Broadside About Canada As A ‘51st State’:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-canada-us-post-1.7413551
It was positive to see the Toronto Star suggesting that the new, bold approach to housing brought by new Minister Nate Erskine-Smith might actually help to ease the housing crisis:
The Toronto Star - This New Liberal Minister Has A Tiny Window Of Time To Ease The Housing Crisis. He Just Might Do It:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/this-new-liberal-minister-has-a-tiny-window-of-time-to-ease-the-housing-crisis/article_34eafe3c-bf09-11ef-a25a-4f8251b22faa.html
Finally, it was interesting to see threads of conversations from environmentalists online with the following suggestion:
“Trudeau could save himself and the Liberal Party by enacting electoral reform with proportional representation, immediately. Saving the rest of us from a majority Conservative government in 2025.”
However it should be noted that with the far-right People’s Party of Canada (PPC) getting twice as many votes as the Green Party in the last federal election, Canadians should be cautious before enacting any significant change that could hand 15+ seats to a party that has never before won a single seat.
3) Fight For Farmland Presents Hundreds Of Petitions - While media coverage about the proposed staggering 51% municipal tax increase in Wilmot continues to dominate the media and reflect the chaos as well as incompetence of the local government, it was a busy week with lots of important activities including hundreds and hundreds of petitions that were presented to Wilmot Council on Monday night by the Fight For Farmland group asking that Wilmot declare it is an Unwilling Host. The presentation called out Wilmot Township and listed so many concerning issues with the proposed land assembly. Watch the presentation starting at 37:37:
https://www.youtube.com/live/1t_bRE1hbmk?t=2257s
There has also been strong media coverage:
Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette - “Thomason Asks Wilmot Council To Become An Unwilling Host; One Councillor Pushes Back Against Designation”:
https://www.granthaven.com/post/thomason-asks-wilmot-council-to-become-an-unwilling-host-one-councillor-pushes-back-against-designa
51% Wilmot Tax Increase - The widespread concerns about Wilmot Township and the proposed 51% tax increase continue with significant media coverage this past week on the radio and in area newspapers. There still has been no financial costing done for the proposed Wilmot mega-industrial site and there is no evidence that the Land Assembly will provide any financial benefit to the municipality and will most likely only further deepen the Township’s troubles and financial woes.
There will be upcoming Townhall meetings held by Wilmot Councillors about the tax increase that you are encouraged to attend and speak up regarding concerns, the need to declare we are unwilling, and abandon this mega-industrial site. Details are as follows:
Wilmot Ward 3 Townhall Meeting - Councillor Harvir Sidhu - Thursday, Jan 2nd from 7pm to 8:30pm in Meeting Room A, Wilmot Recreation Centre, 1291 Nafziger Road, Baden
Wilmot Ward 4 Townhall Meeting - Councillors Steven Martin & Lillianne Diunstall - Saturday, Jan 4th from 10am to 12pm at the New Hamburg Community Centre, New Hamburg
Wilmot Ward 1 Townhall Meeting - Councillor Stuart Cressman - Thursday, Jan 9th from 7pm to 9pm, New Dundee Community Centre, New Dundee
Here’s recent media regarding this staggering tax increase:
The Record - Wilmot’s Budget Troubles Didn’t Happen Overnight:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/wilmots-budget-troubles-didnt-happen-overnight/article_04631291-8723-5ee4-83dc-b70c8623210f.html
Farms.com - Fight For Farmland Confronts Rumours About Staggering 51% Wilmot Property Tax Increase:
https://www.farms.com/news/fight-for-farmland-confronts-rumours-about-staggering-51-wilmot-property-tax-increase-221111.aspx
Fight For Farmland on 570 News - Spokesperson Alfred Lowrick appeared on the Mike Farwell show this week to speak to how the proposed land assembly has yet to have any public meetings or demonstrate any financial benefits to our community. Listen to the show starting at 35:33:
570 News Mike Farwell Show - Fight For Farmland Confronts 51% Tax Increase:
https://kitchener.citynews.ca/podcast-episode/the-mike-farwell-show-december-16th-2024/
Additional media coverage included:
CityNews Fight For Farmland Not A Fan Of Proposed 51% Tax Increase In Wilmot:
https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/12/16/fight-for-farmland-not-a-fan-of-proposed-51-tax-increase-in-wilmot/
Democracy In Danger - Record Columnist Luisa D’Amato wrote an excellent column this week using the complete lack of proper process nor any public consultation as an example of how democracy is changing rapidly and is in danger of being overridden by authoritarian regimes. Check out her excellent and very troubling article:
The Record - A Disturbing Pattern Of Silence From Elected Officials - Democracy Is In Danger:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/a-disturbing-pattern-of-silence-from-elected-officials/article_9423c734-2904-59f4-8659-05928111a8ed.html
Holiday Fun - Twas The Night Before Christmas In Wilmot - Kudos to local citizen and activist Judy Brown who channelled her holiday energy and community concerns into a very creative Christmas story that is attached below in Section A).
Action Required - Attend upcoming events, and call or write elected officials at Wilmot Township, the Region of Waterloo and the provincial government and tell them to finally abandon this absurd Wilmot Industrial Mega-site location - that we are an UNWILLING community, the landowners have made it clear they are UNWILLING, and a better plan is needed.
4) GRCA Source Water Protection Plan - January 13, 2025 Deadline! - In yet another surprise discovery, local activists have found that the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has once again failed to notify the public in any meaningful way about important updates to the Grand River Souce Protection Plan to ensure the integrity of our municipal drinking water sources.
Changes are related to the replacement of a decommissioned well in Lynden (City of Hamilton) and policies have also been updated to conform to the 2021 technical rules for identifying drinking water threats.
Learn more about the Source Protection Plan Update at:
https://www.sourcewater.ca/source-protection-areas/grand-river-source-protection-area/grand-river-source-protection-plan-update/
We only have until January 13th to respond by sending comments to comments at sourcewater.ca
Action Required - Please review the proposed plan and follow-up with feedback before the January 13th deadline.
5) Federal Government Releases New Climate Targets - In a very disappointing move, the federal government this week unveiled new “acheivable” targets to cut Greenhouse Gas emissions. The new goals fall far short of previous 2035 goals and what is needed to properly address our climate change challenges. However, any goals, particularly achievable goals that reduce emissions are likely better than no targets or efforts at all.
It’s unfortunate to see Canada failing to adequately address climate change and not being the climate leader that we should be - particularly when we are one of the world’s heaviest emitters and a major fossil fuel producer. Other countries have far more ambitious targets and are doing much better at achieving targets - even countries such as China are strongly outperforming Canada on cleaner energy. Learn more and demand better:
The Toronto Star - Trudeau Government Unveils Achievable New Target To Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/trudeau-government-unveils-achievable-new-target-to-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions/article_cff97a3a-b89b-11ef-b498-637cc5c06aed.html <https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/trudeau-government-unveils-achievable-new-target-to-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions/article_cff97a3a-b89b-11ef-b498-637cc5c06aed.html?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_email=2DF5A405D6082D2C0C4FDB5202BCAE69&utm_campaign=frst_6630>
It’s certainly a bleak prognosis however at least GHG in Canada has not been rising since 2000, is down from 2010, and we could achieve 90% of the 2030 targets as EVs, clean energy, and other improvements are making a difference - just no where near the calibre needed.
Action Required - Speak up and demand better for our country and future generations.
6) Ontario Government Ignores Expert Advice And Pursues Increasing Fossil Gas - Despite spending $1.5 million taxpayer dollars on an expert report recommending a shift away from natural (fossil methane) gas, the Ford government never publicly released the study and has tried to hide its recommendations. Through Freedom of Information Requests, The Narwhal has written an excellent article about how once again the provincial government is working against the best public interest and the more sustainable future we need to advocate for more expensive, polluting fossil fuel solutions. Read this excellent article and demand a better future for Ontario:
The Narwhal - Ontario Didn’t Inform The Public About Advice Urging A Shift Away From Natural Gas:
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-energy-report-natural-gas/
7) The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) Calls For Better Energy In Ontario - Carbon emissions from electricity in the GTAH rose by 30% last year and grid emissions have more than doubled in the last four years of Doug Ford’s leadership of the provincial government and are expected to double again in the next three years - dramatically increasing air pollution, creating health issues, and moving us in the opposite direction we need to be going to address climate change.
We need to reduce, rather than increase our dependance and use of fossil fuels. TAF has outlined the issues and opportunities ahead in this great article:
TAF - How Ontario’s New Energy Plans Can Tackle Surging Electricity Emissions:
https://taf.ca/how-ontarios-new-energy-plans-can-tackle-surging-electricity-emissions/
Action Required - Support TAF and help call for better energy plans in Ontario.
8) Forced Boundary Expansions - Developers Pushing For Hamilton Boundary Expansion Yet Again - In a troubling move, developers continue to push for Hamilton urban boundary expansion out onto farmland despite the very clear Official Plans, overwhelming citizen feedback to protect farmland, and numerous recent wins against developers and a provincial government determined to push boundary expansion:
The Hamilton Spectator - Deja Vu Debate: Hamilton Must Consider Expanded Urban Boundaries In Elfrida, Again:
https://www.thespec.com/news/council/d-j-vu-debate-hamilton-must-consider-expanded-urban-boundaries-in-elfrida-again/article_40ccd7a1-147f-55f3-b697-c41a4e741a3e.html
Action Required - Speak up and help hold the line in Hamilton for a more affordable and sustainable future.
9) Recent Articles - Include news on a new anti-encampment bill, a fun holiday article on the naughty and nice list (spoiler alert - the Grand River Environmental Network and Kevin Thomason made the nice list), Toronto bike lane removals to start in March, the struggle for new housing, and an absurd strategy in London to destroy farmland with urban sprawl first before other communities can destroy their farmland:
The Trillium - Anti-Encampment Bill Promises To Give Ontarians Back Their Parks:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/anti-encampment-bill-promises-to-give-ontarians-back-their-parks-9948176
The Record - I’m Santa’s Little Green Helper:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/i-m-santa-s-little-green-helper/article_e0b79ad3-f423-5254-8708-084a1b68bb13.html
The Trillium - Toronto Bike Lane Removals To Start In March At The Earliest:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/toronto-bike-lane-removals-to-start-in-march-at-the-earliest-9961352 <https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/toronto-bike-lane-removals-to-start-in-march-at-the-earliest-9961352?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Dec%2017,%202024%2010:34%20am&utm_content=mc_tri_wrap>
The Record - Waterloo Plans For More 30-Storey Towers But Is Struggling To See Them Built:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-plans-for-more-30-storey-towers-but-is-struggling-to-see-them-built/article_9cb1be28-e73d-55b8-b97c-510bd428f056.html
CTV News London - Exodus Of New Home Construction To Sprawling Rural Communities Sparks New Strategy To Lower Lot Prices In London:
https://london.ctvnews.ca/exodus-of-new-home-construction-to-sprawling-rural-communities-sparks-new-strategy-to-lower-lot-prices-in-london-1.7154600
10) Guelph National Urban Park Update - In an near-unanimous vote (with only Mayor Cam Gutherie opposed) Guelph Council has supported in principle the plan to turn the former Ontario Reformatory Lands into a National Urban Park:
GuelphToday.com - Guelph Council Supports National Urban Park Plan In Principle:
https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/council-supports-national-urban-park-plan-in-principle-9859538
11) Puslinch Plans Growth - We all want to see a strong, growing economy however it is troubling to see hundreds and hundreds of homes being proposed for Puslinch Township mostly on septic systems and many through rural severances over the coming decades. It is good to see the Puslinch Official Plan rule to discourage land speculation that requires the applicant must own their land for at least five years before requesting a severance and that another five years must pass before other severances can be requested. Though it could still see valuable farmland and rural lands sliced up and whittled away compared to places like Waterloo Region where no rural severances have been allowed for over 50 years - keeping large farm parcels intact.
It’s also good to see the goal of trying to protect farmland by expanding existing hamlets and estate subdivisions but again, we need to ensure the most sustainable solutions possible for the decades head as we need to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions while accommodating far more population more efficiently.
Learn more:
The Wellington Advertiser - Puslinch Growth Target Is 600 Homes By 2051:
https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/puslinch-growth-target-is-600-new-homes-by-2051/
12) Caledon Residents Launch Legal Challenge and “Quash The Caledon Bylaws” Campaign - Strong community support and positive media coverage continues regarding the legal challenge by Democracy Caledon against the massive unplanned growth and development recently approved by Caledon Council with no proper study or consultation.
You can check out their fantastic website: https://www.democracycaledon.org/our-focus
Learn more in this most recent media article this week:
Canada’s National Observer - Residents Take Ontario Town To Court Over Farmland Rezoning:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/12/20/news/caledon-residents-ontario-town-court-farmland-rezoning
And check out the following blog: https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/12/13/caledon-residents-stand-up-for-democracy-by-taking-the-town-to-court/
Action Required - Lets see how we can all best support Caledon and ensure this model for massive development doesn’t become the new normal across Ontario.
13) ALO Announces Election Readiness Webinar - The Alliance For A Liveable Ontario (ALO) is holding a webinar on January 8th, 2025 at 7:00pm to prepare for an early Spring provincial election. David Crombie will be a special guest speaker. Learn how we can help to convince friends, family and neighbours to make housing affordability and building a liveable Ontario an election priority:
Register at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_28eLse0NQOeOAIdsHD2uZQ#/registration
14) Cooperate For Canada - The C4C plan urges the Liberals, NDP and Greens to work together - without any mergers - to ensure we elect governments that better reflect the values, concerns, and priorities of the majority of Canadians. Our plan seeks to address the split in the progressive vote that results in under representation in government. Threats due to the multiple crises we face - housing affordability, attacks on our democracy, foreign interference, and disinformation are reaching emergency levels. A business as usual approach will not work.
Cooperate for Canada has both a federal focus: https://cooperateforcanada.ca/
And a provincial focus (Ontario): https://cooperateforcanada.ca/ontario/
Check out the latest newsletter: https://cooperateforcanada.ca/2024/12/15/december-2024-newsletter/
New C4C chapters are also being organized in the GTA, Hamilton- Niagara, Ottawa, and Kingston. Encourage people you know to get involved in these areas, or start their own chapter as momentum continues to build.
15) Waterloo Climate Collaborative (WCC) - The next Waterloo Region Climate Collaborative meeting will be Wednesday, January 8th at the REEP House. It will be one year since we first met and decided to create the Climate Collaborative to support our various groups and efforts. We will devote part of the meeting on January 8th to strategic planning, in part because we have the opportunity to apply for funding to support our efforts. Please save the date and plan to attend:
Next Group Meeting: Wednesday, January 8th, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: REEP House, 20 Mill Street, Kitchener. For a virtual link to join the meeting e-mail wrclimatecollab at gmail.com for a link.
Parking is available. Please come unscented.
16) Other Articles - Include Canada needing to prepare for a influx of scientists and educators from the US as their health breakdown is just beginning, the Ontario Science Centre delayed by another year, and new oversight following an expensive Italian art shopping trip for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board:
The Tyee - America’s Health Breakdown Is Just Getting Started - Canada Should Prepare For An Influx Of Scientists, Educators, And More:
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2024/12/19/America-Public-Health-Breakdown/
Global News - New Science Centre At Ontario Place Delayed Until 2029:
https://globalnews.ca/news/10925478/ontario-place-science-centre-opening/
CBC - Ontario Appoints Reviewer For Brantford Area Catholic School Board After Pricey Italy Art Trip:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/trustee-trip-review-1.7415347
17) Reminder - Next Meeting - Our next e-mail update is planned for the week of December 30th. Join us Friday, January 10th at 5:30pm online at the Zoom link below to discuss the latest:
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! And keep us posted on your events so we can share them:
Thursday, January 2nd - 7pm to 8:30pm - Wilmot Ward 3 Townhall Meeting - Councillor Harvir Sidhu - Meeting Room A, Wilmot Recreation Centre, 1291 Nafziger Road, Baden
Saturday, January 4th - 10am to 12pm - Wilmot Ward 4 Townhall Meeting - Councillors Steven Martin & Lillianne Diunstall - New Hamburg Community Centre, New Hamburg
Wednesday, January 8th - 7pm - Alliance For A Liveable Ontario Election Readiness Webinar - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_28eLse0NQOeOAIdsHD2uZQ#/registration
Wednesday, January 8th - 6:30pm to 8:30pm - Waterloo Climate Collaborative Strategic Planning Meeting - https://wrclimatecollaborative.ca/
Thursday, January 9th - 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Ward 1 Townhall Meeting - Councillor Stuart Cressman - New Dundee Community Centre, New Dundee
Friday, January 10th - 5:30pm - Next group update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
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B) Twas The Night Before Christmas In Wilmot by Judy Brown:
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Wilmot
Not a creature was stirring, not even a farmer.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that the good land would still be there.
The farmers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of good crops danced in their heads;
And Fight for Farmland people, all in their caps
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the fields there arose such a clatter
We sprang from our beds to see what was the matter.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to fields below.
When what to our wondering eyes should appear
But two big farm tractors from Strathroy here!
With a blond driver so notwithstanding,
I knew in a moment it must be Ford landing!
More rapid than eagles his minions they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Now, Harris, now, Redmond, Now Lamantia and all,
On Salonen, on Wilmot councillors and all!
From the top of 7/8 to Bleams Rd.
From Nafziger to Wilmot Centre Rd;
Plow away, plow away, plow away all!
So up to the farms the politicians they flew,
With plows and chainsaws and Ford himself too,
And then in a twinkling, I heard in the chambers
“We are willing, we are willing, let it go thru!”
As I drew in my head and was turning around
Down the highway Ford came with a bound
He was carrying his new laws and keeping his secrets,
And the countryside line was forever defeated!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his laws,
Soon gave me to know I had lots to dread,
Pollution and traffic, rising taxes, water threats
All for vague promises of jobs, he said.
He spoke not a word, used the NDA,
Destroyed all the farms and turned with a jerk.
Putting his middle finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up to Queens Park he rose.
And I heard him explain when he drove out of sight,
“Wary Christmas to All, and to crops a bad night!”

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C) Fight For Farmland - Media Release Confronting Wilmot 51% Tax Increase Rumours:

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D) 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
Vic Fedeli - Minister of Economic Development- vic.fedeli at pc.ola.org <mailto:vic.fedeli at pc.ola.org> or 416-326-8475
Rob Flack - Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness - rob.flack at pc.ola.org <mailto:rob.flack at pc.ola.org> or 416-326-3074
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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