[All] Greenbelt Scandal Continuation, Schneider's Lands Update, OLT Issues, Bill 23, and Other Updates
Kevin Thomason
kevinthomason at mac.com
Fri Feb 2 09:45:10 EST 2024
Good Day,
News, efforts, and activities continue on a number of fronts:
1) Greenbelt Scandal Continues - A great synopsis from TVO on the ongoing investigations into the Greenbelt Scandal and the recently released e-mails from the provincial government. The author, John McGrath minces few words stating that recent actions “prove that the Tories are, at best, totally out of their depth”:
TVO Today - The Greenbelt Scandal Takes Another Turn - And Trust In The Ford Government Takes Another Hit:
https://www.tvo.org/article/the-greenbelt-scandal-takes-another-turn-and-trust-in-the-ford-government-takes-another-hit
2) Schneider’s Land Update - Thanks to the hundreds of people and groups who have written letters and made calls to urge Wilmot Township to stop delaying the Schneider’s land donation to the rare Charitable Reserve. Councillors have asked for a Staff Report that is expected to be presented at the Wilmot Council Meeting on Monday, February 12th. We should see a copy of the report in the Council Package released on Friday, February 9th just before our 5:30pm Zoom call where we will be able to discuss things in more detail. Please continue to keep reaching out to Wilmot Council and Staff.
CityNews - Local Group Calls On Wilmot Council To Approve Schneider Land Donation:
https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/01/29/local-group-calls-on-wilmot-council-to-approve-schneider-land-donation/
The Record - Wilmot Township Is Not The Enemy Here:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/wilmot-township-is-not-the-enemy-here/article_fb8164aa-7bf0-5eb4-b65e-d43d5af4368c.html
Unfortunately, another article that misses the significant challenges parking creates, overlooks the fact that even a small 12 car parking lot still would require most people to continue to park on area roads along with requiring illegal wetland destruction and/or forest clear-cutting and extensive hill grading for its construction, and erroneously claims most people park on the Wilmot Line.
3) Recent Media - Recent news articles include changes to the Peel Region dissolution reversal as the provincial government backtracks again causing even more chaos, record low home construction numbers, more questions over ServiceOntario, and the troubling end of the Canada Greener Homes grant:
Global News - Peel Region Separation Reversal Reversal:
https://globalnews.ca/news/10251453/peel-region-separation-reversal-transition-board-mandate/
The Narwhal - Ontario Sides With Enbridge Gas In Fight To Connect New Homes To Natural Gas:
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-energy-board-enbridge-gas/
The Toronto Star - Sales Of Newly Built Homes Hit Lows Not Seen Since 1995:
https://www.thestar.com/real-estate/sales-of-newly-built-homes-hit-lows-not-seen-since-1995/article_01f5d04c-bad2-11ee-9b48-1f2fe2ea6eba.html
The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Government Approves Three MZO’s - With Olivia Chow’s Blessing:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-government-approves-three-mzos-with-olivia-chows-blessing/article_7a4108c6-bc96-11ee-abac-1b1f5b379894.html
The Record - 13 Towers Proposed On Site Of Former Waterloo Steel Factory - 46 Towers Proposed in Waterloo:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/13-towers-proposed-on-site-of-former-waterloo-steel-factory/article_87af38f3-1b16-50ca-8f74-3b7f0665602c.html
The Toronto Star - Ford Government Slammed For Secrecy Over ServiceOntario Deals:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/ford-government-facing-renewed-questions-over-serviceontario-deals/article_b0d0e07c-bec2-11ee-8064-6b9ab1930fc3.html
The Record - We Know How To Create Affordable Housing. Will We Do It?:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/we-know-how-to-create-affordable-housing-will-we-do-it/article_94d051d0-50fa-5038-a549-19dc412abb0a.html
The Record - Affordable Housing Policy Will Increase Costs Developers Warn:
https://www.therecord.com/news/council/affordable-housing-policy-will-increase-costs-developers-warn/article_113c680a-bce8-58cd-ae01-1bd0c1e89eaf.html
CBC - Canada’s Greener Homes Program Is Ending. Thousands of Layoffs Could Follow:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bakx-canada-greener-homes-grant-retrofit-application-layoffs-1.7100748
The Record - One Regional Government Better Than Giving Lower Tiers More Power:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/one-regional-government-better-than-giving-lower-tiers-more-power/article_eed517ac-5c92-5a45-ba2c-e8ce3514fc55.html
The Public Record - Hamilton Developers Push For Urban Boundary Expansion Through Ford Planning Act Loophole:
https://www.thepublicrecord.ca/2024/01/upper-west-side-landowners-appeal-to-olt-in-urban-boundary-application-dispute/
The Globe and Mail - Ottawa Withholding Housing Funds From Windsor Ontario Over Zoning Laws:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-windsor-ontario-housing-funds/
4) Ontario’s Hidden Climate Study - Our peers at the amazing Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition have written an excellent synopsis about the provincial Climate Studies that the province delayed releasing for months. It’s well worth reading at the link below:
Ontario’s Hidden Climate Study:
https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/241418/111723518609065863
5) Trouble At The Ontario Lands Tribunal - Queen’s Park Reporters uncover significant political interference and a toxic culture at the OLT so bad that the Attorney General stepped in to investigate. A Ford friend in charge created a “toxic” workplace that the government is now reviewing again. How chaos created by this government continues to add to our housing crisis despite more than 97% of all rulings favouring developers:
The Trillium - The OLT Decides What Gets Built In Ontario. Insiders Say That It’s Broken:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-trillium-investigations/the-olt-decides-what-gets-built-in-ontario-insiders-say-its-broken-8183941
6) Ontario Announces Backwards Plans To Rebuild Pickering Nuclear - In a very disappointing and astonishing announcement (given that they are already some of the oldest operating nuclear plants in the world) the Ontario government has announced it has signed off on a deal to rebuild reactors and will attempt to run the Pickering Nuclear facility for yet another 30 years. The costs will be significant though the government isn’t releasing much information on this backroom deal - particularly as costs for far greener forms of energy continue to fall so rapidly. We need renewable wind and solar energy - not more high-cost nuclear:
Ontario’s Backoom Deal To Rebuild Ancient Pickering Nuclear Reactors:
https://ocaa.cmail19.com/t/y-e-xihjjiy-iykiiyidjj-yh/
7) Concerning Endangered Species Act Revisions - The provincial government has just released very troubling changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that could make it much easier to build Highway #413 and the Bradford Bypass. Ontario Nature has put together a great sign on letter for interested groups. A draft is attached below and you can learn more at:
Protections Plummet For Vulnerable Species in Ontario, Again:
https://ontarionature.org/protections-plummet-for-vulnerable-species-in-ontario-again-blog/
Individuals can also send a letter through the Action Alert with just one click:
https://ontarionature.good.do/weakening-SAR-protections/email/
8) Other Issues - Other current articles you should be aware of include immigration abuses and concerning natural gas expansions:
CBC - GO Train Service On 2 Weekends This Month Is Encouraging, But Waterloo MPP Questions Why It Can’t Continue:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/weekend-go-trains-kitchener-line-reading-week-why-not-more-fife-1.7102029
Bayshore Broadcasting - It’s Never Too Late For Rural Municipalities To Also Grow Up - 6 Storey, 180 Unit Building Coming To Markdale:
https://www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca/2024/01/22/grey-highlands-makes-alterations-to-proposed-markdale-apartment-building/
The Record - Blame Doug Ford For Turning A Blind Eye To Student Immigration Abuses:
https://www.therecord.com/politics/political-opinion/blame-doug-ford-for-turning-a-blind-eye-to-student-immigration-abuses/article_b174abe5-ef77-5261-8cbd-5b45302de4bd.html
The Toronto Star - As US Reconsiders LNG Expansion, It’s Time Canada Does The Same:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/as-the-u-s-reconsiders-lng-expansion-it-s-time-canada-does-the-same/article_0bde4e66-bc69-11ee-a8b9-8f94c893dfc6.html
9) Salt and Chlorides - There is a new coalition coming together to get better water protection for Ontario from salt and chlorides. The Ontario Salt Coalition has created a website and is eager to get folks involved. Check it out at:
Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition:
https://saltcoalition.ca/
10) Mike Schreiner’s Bill 156 - Building Homes You Can Afford in Communities You’ll Love Act - later this month the legislature will be debating Bill 156 which will make it legal to build fourplexes, four story walkups, and 6 to 11 story buildings on all major transit corridors. Here is a draft of the legislation that will be debated at the end of February:
https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-156
11) Waterloo Region Environmental and Climate Change Groups Collaborative - An initial meeting was held recently with representatives from a broad array of environmental and climate change groups from across Waterloo Region to discuss communications, collaboration, and creating tools that will allow us to better work together and support each others events. It was a successful meeting with a Steering Committee being created and the date of Thursday, February 22nd at 6:30pm chosen for the next hybrid meeting at the Kitchener Civic Hub and online. Please reach out to Mats van Kleef at mats.vankleef at gmail.com <mailto:mats.vankleef at gmail.com> if you would like more information or to join the next meeting.
12) Reminder - Next Meeting - Join us next Friday, February 9th 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.
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A) Upcoming Events
Saturday, February 3rd - 12:00pm - OFL Rally in Niagara Falls at PC Party Convention - see poster below
Friday, February 9th - 5:30pm - Next update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
February 5th to February 10th - 7 Generations Summit - Toronto - https://www.legacyproject.org/7gen/summit.html#not
Saturday, February 10th - 1:00pm to 2:30pm - Elmira Solar Panel Event - see poster below
Saturday, February 10th - 2pm to 4pm - Greenbelt Valentine’s Tea - Hockley Community Hall - more details in poster below
Wednesday, February 21st - 8pm - Elmira Awareness Event - Rural Roots, Elmira - more details below
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B) Ontario Federation of Labour Niagara Falls Rally - Saturday, Feb 3rd 12:00pm

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C) Ontario Nature Draft Endangered Species Act Sign-on Letter:

If you would like to endorse the submission on your organization's behalf, please submit your name, position/title, organization and logo through this online form:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=g6Vlf28uP0-GmHa2rf4Q7UQTY5ePvw9Juk1Zg_0jb6FUNFBTNUI3M0FESlBONFY3WVc1SFEyWU9FUS4u
The deadline for sign-on is February 14, 2024. We will submit the joint letter to the Minister before the comment period closes on February 20.
For individuals who would like to voice their opposition, please consider signing our Action Alert and sharing it with your networks, as you see fit at:
https://ontarionature.good.do/weakening-SAR-protections/email/
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D) Elmira Solar Panel Event, Sat Feb 10th 1:00pm

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E) 7 Generation BioRegional Earth Summit - Toronto, Canada - Feb 5th to 10th 2024
https://www.legacyproject.org/7gen/summit.html#not

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F) Greenbelt Valentine’s Tea - Saturday, February 10th at 2pm to 4pm

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H) Speak Up and Ensure Your Voice is Heard:
Premier Doug Ford - doug.fordco at pc.ola.org <mailto:doug.fordco at pc.ola.org> or 416-325-1941
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.org <mailto:mschreiner at ola.org> or (519) 836-4190
New! - Aislinn Clancy - MPP Kitchener Centre - new contact information coming soon
Independent MPPs:
Bobbi Ann Brady - MPP Haldimand-Norfolk - babrady-co at ola.org <mailto:babrady-co at ola.org> or (519) 428-0446
-----------------------------------
Kevin Thomason
Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network
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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