[All] Regional Hearings, Greenbelt Legal Challenges, Highway #413, and Bill 23 Update

[Kevin Thomason]

Happy New Year!

We hope that you had a good holiday.  There are pending deadlines and upcoming hearings that we need to be speaking up at and sending a strong message to the provincial government.

1) Provincial Pre-Budget Consultations Deadline Monday, January 8th - There will be meetings across Ontario over the next couple of weeks regarding the planning for the provincial budget.  While many of our groups may have never appeared at these hearings before, they are one of the best remaining ways to provide feedback to this provincial government and ensure that our concerns are heard - in-particular on issues such as Bill 23, Regional Reform, and Highway #413.

	2024 Provincial Budget Consultations:
	https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/committees/finance-economic-affairs/parliament-43/notice-hearings/2024-feb-1-notice-hearings-standing-committee-finance-economic-affairs
	
Dates and locations of nearby hearings include:

	- Oakville - Tuesday, January 9th
	- Welland - Thursday, January 11th
	- Chatham - Tuesday, January 16th
	- London - Wednesday, January 17th
	- Cambridge - Thursday, January 18th

To register or send a written submission:
	https://www.ola.org/en/apply-committees


2) Regional Reform Hearings - As announced back in November, Provincial MPPs will be holding public hearings in January as the next steps in the long, chaotic process of Regional Reform for upper-tier municipalities such as Waterloo Region, Durham Region, Halton Region, and York Region.  It remains to be seen what impact the recent cancellation of the dissolution of Peel Region will have on these other upper-tier reform efforts.  It will be important that we speak up at hearings to prevent the provincial government from destroying even more of our communities and our current high quality of life.  Register online at:

	Request to Participate In Committee Hearings:
	http://ola.org/en/apply-committees

The Region of Waterloo Hearings are scheduled for Thursday, January 18th - the same day as the budget hearings mentioned in #1 above.


3) Greenbelt Legal Challenges - It was only a matter of time until the legal challenges started to pile up for the provincial government despite their efforts to grant immunity to themselves in so much recent legislation.  It’s feared that taxpayers could be stuck paying for millions of dollars of legal bills in addition to hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars in legal settlements to developers due to the incompetence of this government:

	Global News - Developer Launches Constitutional Challenge Of Law Returning Greenbelt Lands:
	https://globalnews.ca/news/10173199/developer-launches-constitutional-challenge-greenbelt/

	CBC - Developer Launches Constitutional Challenge:
	https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/greenbelt-court-challenge-1.7060761


4) Highway #413 - It is important that we reach out to local federal MP’s to urge them to continue to act on Highway #413 and to keep up the Federal Review.  The Ford government is currently trying to bypass and pressure the federal government to approve this absurd and destructive highway that has such little public support, would destroy so much farmland, natural areas and Greenbelt, while only really benefitting well-connected developers.

The province of Ontario has launched a judicial review of the impact assessment of Highway 413 trying to catch the federal government before they update the Impact Assessment Act.  If the federal government drops the case it would mean that Doug Ford could get shovels in the ground very quickly.  

Environmental Defence has an excellent primer at:

	https://environmentaldefence.ca/2023/10/24/statement-the-ontario-governments-application-for-judicial-review-of-the-federal-impact-assessment-act-is-an-attempt-to-create-a-temporary-gap-in-environmental-protections/

Please reach out to local Liberal Members of Parliament such as Tim Louis, Bardish Chagger and Lloyd Longfield and let them know that we expect them to stand up against Highway #413.


5) GREN Wins Recognition and Award - It was great to have GREN - The Grand River Environmental Network recognized by students and youth as one of the winners this year of Ayr Farmer’s Mutual Insurance’s annual environmental donation.  Scholarship candidates were asked where they would donate money in the community and GREN was one of four local organizations chosen for a $2,500 award.  Read more about this award and the importance of engaging youth in climate action below:

	The Record - Engaging Youth in Climate Action is Critical:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/engaging-youth-in-climate-action-is-critical/article_27101174-8f96-59d3-92e5-b2380aa0d2c4.html


6) Ontario Place Chalkboard - In a rather brilliant act of civil disobedience, citizens in Toronto have turned the massive black fence erected to block the view of the Ontario Place destruction and development into a giant chalkboard expressing broad public sentiment about this very concerning project.

	Plywood Wall Transforms Into Toronto’s Largest Blackboard:
	https://efreepr.com/plywood-wall-transforms-into-torontos-largest-blackboard-sparking-civic-engagement/


7) Recent Media - Despite the legislature being recessed early to avoid the Auditor General’s latest report there has been lots of recent media coverage over the holidays of MZO’s. housing, and ongoing provincial flip-flops:

	The Toronto Star - Province To Revoke Some Zoning Orders, Review Others Over Lack Of Progress:
	https://www.thestar.com/province-to-revoke-some-zoning-orders-review-others-over-lack-of-progress/article_598bd314-99e5-11ee-9709-9f642d3a5b44.html

	The Record - We Know That We Are In A Housing Crisis - Kitchener Streamlines Approvals To Move Faster On New Homes:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/we-know-that-were-in-a-housing-crisis-kitchener-streamlines-approvals-to-move-faster-on/article_3b7dd308-81f0-5239-85e8-a5577c641958.html

	The Record - Housing Starts Plunged In November Compared To A Year Ago:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/housing-starts-plunged-in-november-compared-to-a-year-ago-in-waterloo-region-new-data/article_e8b561e9-22c6-59e1-a811-8e0398b0d9df.html

	The Record - Find Joy and Community In Climate Action:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/finding-joy-and-community-in-climate-action/article_b4fc756c-d342-5503-9010-8a4006499187.html

	The Toronto Star - Toronto Wants Assurance Ontario Will Pay For Housing Bill Costs After Doug Ford Cancels Audits:
	https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-wants-assurance-ontario-will-pay-for-housing-bill-costs-after-doug-ford-cancels-audits/article_fe44c802-9dc3-11ee-8610-8b6eb7564b7f.html

	The Toronto Star - Inventory of Newly Built Homes At Best Level Since 2015, Building Industry Says:
	https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/inventory-of-newly-built-homes-at-best-level-since-2015-building-industry-says/article_96c7a950-9f5e-11ee-9b65-2f37b3826780.html
	“There is enough supply and choice of newly built GTA condos and houses for buyers to find what they are looking for…"

	The Record - Council Pumps Brakes On Industrial Land Readiness Plan For Waterloo Region:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/council-pumps-brakes-on-industrial-land-readiness-plan-for-waterloo-region/article_cb0937b7-d250-5e68-83bf-99d3269a83fb.html

	The Guelph Mercury Tribune - Homelessness, Housing and Strained Relationship With The Province Mark 2023 For Guelph:
	https://www.guelphmercury.com/news/homelessness-housing-and-strained-relationship-with-province-mark-2023-for-guelph/article_9c45db47-d81f-5dad-b040-902a87233e37.html

	The Toronto Star - An Unexpected New Toronto Mayor, Municipal Flip-Flops And An Abrupt Greenbelt Reversal: 2023 Was A Roller Coaster Of A Year:
	https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/an-unexpected-new-toronto-mayor-municipal-flip-flops-and-an-abrupt-greenbelt-reversal-2023-was/article_fb46000e-a65f-11ee-b5c9-a33b4998e237.html


8) Recent Editorials and Features - there have been some excellent recent editorials and features including a synopsis of the entire Greenbelt Scandal in the Narwhal:

	The Globe and Mail Editorial Board - Cities Need A Lot Less Planning:
	https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-cities-need-a-lot-less-planning/

	The Narwhal - The Entire Greenbelt Story:
	https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-greenbelt-scandal/

	
9) Joint ENGO Submission - Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act - With so many reversals and so much news from Queen’s Park recently, we never got a chance to share the final PDF of the joint ENGO submission to the ERO and provincial government.  Attached below please find a detailed PDF listing the recommended and much needed changes to the Act.  It was unfortunate to see the provincial government approve the Act with none of these changes implemented however, this document provides a clear guide for issues that we need to address in the future.  Kudo’s to the folks at Ontario Nature for the great work on this feedback to the government:

	https://view.publitas.com/on-nature/re-greenbelt-statute-law-amendment-act-2023/page/1 


10) Other Media - Here’s other related issues that we need to be paying attention to:

	CBC - Overwhelming Relief For Youth Activists Cleared To Sue Ottawa Over Climate Change:
	https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/young-activists-climate-change-lawsuit-federal-government-1.7067880

	The Toronto Star - PC Attack Ads Show A Lack Of Civility:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/pc-attack-ads-show-lack-of-civility-new-ontario-liberal-leader-bonnie-crombie-says/article_3b6b416a-c616-5e4a-af93-9d652307f772.html

	The Toronto Star - Bonnie Crombie Ridicules Doug Ford’s “Government Driving In Reverse”:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/bonnie-crombie-ridicules-doug-ford-s-government-driving-in-reverse/article_93b2592c-9f4f-11ee-b547-f7b3c458f153.html

	The Toronto Star - Want To See Doug Ford And Pierre Poilievre Lose?  Then The Left Needs To Get Its Act Together:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/want-to-see-doug-ford-and-pierre-poilievre-lose-then-the-left-needs-to-get/article_cd40a9b0-a0e3-11ee-ba3b-0fa5ee29e1d7.html


11) Reminder - Next Meeting - Join us Friday, January 12th 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

Monday, January 8th - Final day to register for Pre-Budget Consultations - 	https://www.ola.org/en/apply-committees

Friday, January 12th - 5:30pm - Next update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

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B) GREN Wins Ayr Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Award:


GREN Treasurer Greg Michelanko speaking at the award event on December 18th.


The GREN Executive (rear row), Ayr Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Executives (rear row) and student scholarship award winners (front row).
‘
We will invest these funds in environmental efforts around the Grand River watershed.  Please let us know any ideas.


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C) Joint ENGO Submission - Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023 - ERO 019-7739



https://view.publitas.com/on-nature/re-greenbelt-statute-law-amendment-act-2023/page/1


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D) 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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