[All] Wilmot Councillors Break Silence, Confounding Cabinet Shuffle, Bill 185 Approved, Zoom Meeting Friday, June 14th (tomorrow) at 5:30pm
Kevin Thomason
kevinthomason at mac.com
Thu Jun 13 16:36:02 EDT 2024
Good Day,
Two Wilmot Councillors and Mayor Salonen finally break silence, Bill 185 disappointingly receives Royal Assent stripping citizens of rights, Ford undertakes a massive cabinet shuffle, important local meetings coming soon, and lots more news this week below and to be discussed at our Zoom update meeting on Friday June 14th (tomorrow) at 5:30pm. Join us with your drink from your porch at:
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
Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701
Passcode: 713374
Here’s the latest:
1) Wilmot Industrial Mega-Site Councillor Press Conference - It took more than 14 weeks but it was great to finally see Wilmot Councillors Harvir Sidhu and Kris Wilkinson finally break their silence and hold a press conference yesterday at Stewart Snyder’s farm at the proposed mega-industrial site. There was a great turnout of local media and about 50 citizens to hear both Councillors express concerns about the land assembly process, call for more transparency for the public, and a better process from the Region of Waterloo.
There were many excellent questions from the media though it was local farmer Mark Reusser who called out the elephant in the field, asking why given the amount of concern raised by so many of these Councillor's constituents were the Councillors not simply stating they are unwilling and that Wilmot Township is an unwilling host for this mega-industrial site? Both Councillors re-iterated their concerns but didn’t offer to introduce a motion stating that Wilmot Township was unwilling. We hope that over the weeks ahead we will be able to get all of Wilmot Council to state clearly that they are unwilling - particularly if there continues to be no proper process and no better justification for this absurd site.
Later in the day, Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen stated to media that she too has concerns, is supportive of these Councillors, and is also calling on the Region of Waterloo for more transparency as well.
Here’s some of the media coverage of the Councillor announcement event:
CityNews - Two Wilmot Councillors Are Challenging The Region To Provide Full Technical Details On Land Assembly:
https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/06/12/two-wilmot-councillors-are-challenging-the-region-to-provide-full-technical-details-on-land-assembly/?
The Record - Wilmot Councillors Call On Region Of Waterloo To Release Details On Land Assembly:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/petersburg-residents-demand-air-monitoring-study/article_00c07976-c65e-5b89-ab71-d99bed720f2d.html
CTV News - Two Wilmot Councillors Asks Region For Land Acquisition Details As Turf War Continues:
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/two-wilmot-councillors-asks-region-for-land-acquisition-details-as-turf-war-continues-1.6924360
The Record - This Is The Crack In The Dam: After Months Of Silence, Wilmot Councillors Call For Region To Be Transparent On Land Assembly:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/this-is-the-crack-in-the-dam-after-months-of-silence-wilmot-councillors-call-for/article_6a1849d4-bfe7-52db-82b4-ed5efaa95f33.html
CBC - Region Needs To Be More Transparent About Reasons For Land Acquisition, 2 Wilmot Councillors Say:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/wilmot-township-region-waterloo-farmland-expropriation-1.7233578
Note - both the dates and locations for the upcoming Fight For Farmland Town Hall Meetings are incorrect in this article (more info below).
Photos from the announcement event are attached below.
Action Required - Please continue to call, write, and e-mail Wilmot Councillors to urge the other Councillors to step forward as well and all of Council to declare that they are unwilling.
2) Wilmot Industrial Mega-Site Farm Land Assembly Update - In other Wilmot news, it was good to see a strong turnout of over 40 protestors outside the Wilmot Council Meeting on Monday night for Fight For Farmland where a strong message was sent to elected officials and lots of supportive honking was received from passing cars. People rallying for farmland had a lot of fun and there are plans to increase pressure on Regional Councillors at Wednesday’s upcoming Regional Council Meeting. Please join these informal rallies and speak up:
Region of Waterloo Council - 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener:
Wednesday, June 19th at 6:30pm
Wednesday, August 28th at 6:30pm
Wilmot Township Council - 60 Snyder’s Road, West, Baden:
Monday, June 24th at 6:30pm
Monday, July 29th at 6:30pm
Learn more at: www.fightforfarmland.com <http://www.fightforfarmland.com/> including if the protests may start at an earlier time for any of these meetings if in-camera meetings in advance of regular Council meetings are planned for elected officials.
Wilmot Council Meeting - Citizens packed Wilmot Council Chambers this past Monday to standing room only to show support in the Fight for Farmland and to help support motions to create a new Agricultural Advisory Committee and a motion to increase opportunities for citizens to be able to delegate at Wilmot Council. Both motions were approved and there was considerable media coverage:
CityNews - Wilmot Council Passes Motion To Look At Changing Delegate Speaking Bylaw:
https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/06/11/wilmot-council-passes-motion-to-look-at-changing-delegate-speaking-bylaw/
The Record - Wilmot Looks To Relax Rules For Delegations:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/wilmot-looks-to-relax-rules-for-delegations/article_0775bb37-331f-522e-a92b-f17447933507.html
The Record - Wilmot Council Agrees To Listen To Farmers, Which Is More Significant Than It Looks:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/wilmot-council-agrees-to-listen-to-farmers-which-is-more-significant-than-it-looks/article_b08c43b6-ee1f-5b75-8652-708e02ce8192.html
Lawn Signs - Fight For Farmland - There are now over 2,700 signs up in our communities! Order yours online, pick them up from local Sign Captains throughout Waterloo Region, and learn more at:
www.fightforfarmland.com <http://www.fightforfarmland.com/>
Canvassing - Join us this Saturday in Elmira where we will be going door-to-door to get petitions signed and lawn signs distributed around Mike Harris Jr’s office to help show him firsthand that our community is unwilling. It’s a fun way to engage the community and support so far has been terrific. Also, for once they are finally calling for nice weather in contrast to all the rain, snow, sleet, and wind previous volunteers have endured. Please meet at the Tim Hortons at 305 Arthur Street at S. Field Drive in Elmira at 11:00am on Saturday, June 15th. E-mail wilmotlandowners at gmail.com with any questions or ideas.
Upcoming Fight For Farmland Town Hall Meetings - The Fight For Farmland Group is actively working on multiple Townhall Meetings to present what we have been able to learn to date and seek answers on behalf of the community. The goal is to share information and facilitate a community discussion. Strong attendance will be important. More details will be available soon but please mark your calendars to attend either event:
Thursday, June 20th, 7:00pm - New Hamburg Community Centre Hall, 251 Jacob Street, Downtown New Hamburg
Monday, June 24th, 7:00pm - New Hamburg Community Centre Hall, 251 Jacob Street, Downtown New Hamburg
Stay tuned for further updates, dates, and locations.
Action Required - Please continue to speak up and show firsthand that we are unwilling!
3) Bill 185 Receives Royal Assent - It was unfortunate to see Bill 185 receive Royal Assent and become law this past week. This Bill strips citizens of important rights including 3rd Party Appeal Rights at the Ontario Land Tribunal meaning that there is no longer any way for citizens, farmers, community groups and others to challenge many sorts of development approvals. It also stands to remove Planning Authority from Waterloo Region - threatening all of our environmental protections while also making urban settlement area boundaries irrelevant and the ability to protect farmland from sprawl almost impossible. Learn more in this excellent article:
The Record - New Laws For Housing Development Clear Legislature:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/new-laws-for-housing-development-clear-legislature/article_5519f3e7-88d9-504a-95d6-7e803f9adb95.html
The full impacts are unclear, but Bill 185 changes development on university campuses so that it is no longer subject to municipal oversight. This Instagram post by Brendon Samuel shows concerns with plans for Western University in London: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8F99c-MdvV/?igsh=MXNlaHR2emQ0NGx3eA==
4) OntarioPlace4All Loses Significant Legal Battle - The citizen group, OntarioPlace4all which is more than 30,000 people strong fighting Doug Ford’s plans to turn Ontario Place into a private spa, lost a significant court decision this week when the Divisional Court of Ontario ruled against them on a law that was changed retroactively by the Ford Government. It is appalling to see a democratic government changing laws after the fact to thwart citizens and enable this very concerning project:
The Toronto Star - Group Fighting Ontario Place Spa Dealt Legal Blow In Fight Against Doug Ford Government:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/group-fighting-ontario-place-spa-dealt-legal-blow-in-fight-against-doug-ford-government/article_d5df98f2-2814-11ef-9d42-93a7b875e8dc.html
5) Provincial Cabinet Shuffle and Extended Summer Break - The Ford government announced an extensive cabinet shuffle late last week, creating the largest and most expensive cabinet bureaucracy in the history of Ontario and then announced not only would they be shutting down the Legislature a week early for their summer break but that they would be delaying its start 6 weeks from early September until mid-October.
Obviously the best way to deal with a housing crisis, health-care crisis, desperate pleas from municipalities for funding, and numerous other pressing issues is to shut down the government and go away for 19 weeks! Opposition MPP’s stated:-“This is a government that doesn’t actually want to get any work done and doesn’t want to be held to account…”
At least if this Conservative government isn't working in the Legislature it may limit the damage and the number of absurd Bills they can be introducing in the months ahead.
It was extremely troubling to see disgraced former Minister Steve Clark promoted back into a position of power as Government House Leader despite an ongoing RCMP investigation into his activities. Learn more at:
The Record - Doug Ford’s New Appointments To His Bloated Cabinet Are Shameless - And Revealing:
https://www.therecord.com/politics/political-opinion/doug-fords-new-appointments-to-his-bloated-cabinet-are-shameless-and-revealing/article_4fb11e53-4711-52c6-9cec-ce3e29311585.html
Global - Cost of Doug Ford’s Cabinet, Parliamentary Assistants Exceeds $10M:
https://globalnews.ca/news/10557934/doug-ford-cabinet-cost-increase-2024/
The Record - Insiders Say Doug Ford’s Cabinet Shuffle Reveals Anger At Surprise Kaffiyeh Ban, Confidence He’ll Be Exonerated In RCMP Greenbelt Probe:
https://www.therecord.com/politics/provincial/insiders-say-doug-fords-cabinet-shuffle-reveals-anger-at-surprise-kaffiyeh-ban-confidence-hell-be/article_cdd8320c-0dbe-529b-9672-151e68fce89a.html
Josh Matlow Tweet:
https://twitter.com/tomstdenis2/status/1799163276556636408
- Doug Ford has appointed nearly half his caucus as Ministers - boosting their pay while opposition salaries are frozen for years,
- 74/80 PC MPPs have positions with salary enhancements giving 92.5% of PC MPP’s salary bumps.
Disturbing statistic from @TDotResident on TwitterX:
https://x.com/tdotresident/status/1800245457228280208?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw
“The Ontario PCs have been on their 5 month break for maybe 3 days and already they have scheduled at least 4 new $1000/person cash-for-access fundraisers” [to be held between June 10-12]
TwitterX Post by @MindenPaper:
https://x.com/mindenpaper/status/1800130414415393003?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw
“Only 19 weeks until the Ford government comes back [from] their early and extended vacation. From now until October, remember that hospitals are bankrupt, schools are bankrupt, housing is priced-out and the province is on fire. And Ford is on vacation”
Some humour:
Barney Panofsky’s Best Intentions:
https://twitter.com/mynamesnotgordy/status/1799154853567922300?
5) Climate ActionWR Presentations - Over the next two weeks ClimateActionWR will be attending local Councils to present the latest 2022 Greenhouse Gas Report (we are indeed half way through 2024 already but apparently these numbers take time to compile and report - only adding to our climate woes). Unfortunately, instead of decreasing, our emissions are actually increasing and we are far off target to meet the 50% required emissions reduction target by 2030. You can download the report at the following link:
https://climateactionwr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2022-Waterloo-Region-Community-Greenhouse-Gas-Inventory-Report-Published-June-2024.pdf
Kai Reimer-Watts and the team at the Waterloo Climate Collaborative is holding a delegation training session tonight (Thursday, June 13th) at 6:00pm on Zoom - Zoom Link: https://wilfrid-laurier.zoom.us/j/92009893553
The next opportunities to attend or delegate <https://docs.google.com/document/d/17X7DmRd1UsMwhbMZlTrTSQOMgaAA7_BxARGBp_daTPs/edit> are:
Mon June 17, 6:30pm - City of Waterloo (delegation form here <https://forms.waterloo.ca/Legislative-Services/Delegation-Registration>)
Tue June 18, 7pm - Woolwich (delegation form here <https://forms.woolwich.ca/Speak-to-Council-Registration-Form>)
Mon June 24, 7pm - City of Kitchener (delegation form here <https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/appear-as-a-delegation.aspx>, date may change)
Mon July 8, 6pm - North Dumfries (delegation form here <https://www.northdumfries.ca/en/township-services/speak-before-council.aspx>)
Tue July 16, 6:30pm - City of Cambridge (delegation form here <https://forms.cambridge.ca/Delegation-Request-Form>)
In addition to the presentations given by Kyra, Tova and Patrick from ClimateActionWR, the Waterloo Climate Collaborative made progress delegating:
June 4 - Regional Council - Kai Reimer-Watts delegated
June 10 - Wilmot Council - Although public delegation requests, including ours, were rejected, Kevin spoke to the importance of having a more open delegation process.
June 11 - Wellesley Council - Alex Latta delegated
We would love to see more delegations and also expressions of support for bold climate action at the upcoming council meetings, as above. Please reach out to mats.vankleff at gmail.com if you have any questions or are interested to support.
6) WRCE High Performance Development Standard Meetings - One of the best ways to reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions and be dramatically decreasing GHG like Toronto, rather than seeing GHG's increase, is through the implementation of Green Development Standards and High Performance Building Standards. After years of preparations, it is exciting to finally see the initial public meetings happening on the weeks ahead. Please join the upcoming Waterloo Region Community Energy Education and Design Workshops as follows:
Monday, June 24th 6:00pm at the Cambridge Centre of the Arts - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-design-workshop-cambridge-tickets-924667012927
Tuesday, June 25th 6:00pm at the Waterloo Memorial Recreational Complex - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-design-workshop-waterloo-tickets-924668226557
Wednesday, June 26th 3:00pm at the Kitchener Public Library - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-design-workshop-kitchener-tickets-915403866607?aff=oddtdtcreator
Wednesday, June 26th 7:00pm at the Kitchener Public Library - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-design-workshop-kitchener-tickets-915575660447?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thursday, June 27th 7:00pm at the New Hamburg Community Centre - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-workshop-new-hamburg-tickets-924660864537
Learn more at EngageWR at: https://www.engagewr.ca/high-performance-development-standards
7) Recent Articles - Include stories about massive growth in Waterloo, changing neighbours in Cambridge, troubling changes in Haldimand County, and struggling municipalities across Ontario:
The Record - Waterloo’s Northfield Drive Is An Uneasy Mix Of Traffic Today. Can It Support 7,620 Apartments Without Further Congestion?
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloos-northfield-drive-is-an-uneasy-mix-of-traffic-today-can-it-support-7-620/article_28de2a2d-d450-588d-81ce-7baa9e93a15a.html
The Record - Cambridge Neighbours Worry Development Will Change Face Of Scenic Community:
https://www.therecord.com/news/council/cambridge-neighbours-worry-development-will-change-face-of-scenic-community/article_d3714915-9de5-5996-bad7-afadf17dceae.html
The Record - Ontario Municipalities Struggling Terribly As Province Continues To Underfund:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/ontario-municipalities-struggling-terribly-as-province-continues-to-underfund/article_cdb881f6-ed14-5277-9106-422c46606db7.html
The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Quietly Disbands Ministry Overseeing $1-Billion Queen’s Park Renovation:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-quietly-disbands-ministry-overseeing-1-billion-queens-park-renovation/article_7be846e2-272d-11ef-89cd-c3fed1e13cb2.html
The Record - Turtle Season Has Waterloo Region Shell-Shocked:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/turtle-season-has-waterloo-region-shell-shocked/article_4035489d-1679-5ae1-8459-3a294cb45541.html
The Record - Monstrosities In Preston Area Of Cambridge Shock Resident:
https://www.therecord.com/news/council/monstrosities-in-preston-area-of-cambridge-shock-resident/article_4cead7a9-43ad-5fe0-b055-2b0cafcfae92.html
The Toronto Star - Doug Ford’s Beer In Corner Store Move Makes Me Wish For The Good Old Fashioned Boondoggles Of The Past:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/doug-fords-beer-in-corner-store-move-makes-me-wish-for-the-good-old-fashioned/article_5602934c-234f-11ef-8832-3fe1edbd0986.html
The Narwhal - The Thrill Of Galvanizing People - And The Importance Of Good Investigative Reporting:
https://thenarwhal.ca/the-thrill-of-galvanizing-people/
The Spectator - Haldimand County Undertaking Comprehensive Review Of Ward Boundaries And Council Composition:
https://www.thespec.com/news/haldimand-county-launching-public-consultation-for-ward-boundary-review/article_76282aec-29f0-5a17-9e94-5d654cc4f78c.html
Fascinating details revealed: Ford’s top aide, Patrick Sackville, likes to keep it private:
https://www.corruptario.ca/fords-top-aide-pat-sackville-likes-to-keep-it-private/?ref=corruptario-newsletter
8) Meeting Waterloo Region’s Housing Targets Town Hall Meeting - June 20th, 7pm - An all-star panel is coming together at First United Church in Uptown Waterloo at 16 William Street. Join Liberal MPP Adil Shamji, Housing Expert Cherise Burda, Expert Planner Kevin Eby, Activist Sean Campbell, and Urban Planner/Former Councillor Jeff Henry on a discussion on how Waterloo Region can meet its housing targets. Learn more and register at:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/waterloopla/1278974
9)) ALO Webinar Follow-Up - If you missed the fantastic Alliance For A Liveable Ontario (ALO) webinar “The Lowdown On Housing Preferences And Building Starts” the other day, you can now watch the excellent presentations by Sarah Robertson and Kevin Eby that bring important clarity to the housing crisis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjwUKowcgu8
10) Op-Ed’s Worth Reading - Below are some great Editorials and Op-Eds well worth reading:
The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Seems To Think The Greenbelt Scandal Is Over - It’s Not:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/doug-ford-seems-to-think-the-greenbelt-scandal-is-over-its-not/article_7fd499f8-2733-11ef-89e6-bbcb439964ff.html
Star Editorial: Doug Ford Is Again Ignoring Lessons Of The Past:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/doug-ford-is-again-ignoring-the-lessons-of-the-past/article_8ee375b0-2506-11ef-974e-c7a2991863cd.html
The Toronto Star - Op Ed: Doug Ford Just Promoted A Central Figure In the Greenbelt Scandal. Here’s Why That Should Worry Us:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/doug-ford-just-promoted-a-central-figure-in-the-greenbelt-scandal-here-s-why-that/article_7fd499f8-2733-11ef-89e6-bbcb439964ff.html
11) CAPE Webinar Follow-up - If you were unable to attend the excellent Canadian Association of Physicians For The Environment (CAPE) webinar you can watch their Code Red For Climate online and heat related dangers here:
https://cape.ca/webinars/
12) Ontario’s Natural Gas Addiction Continues - Canadian Climate Institute releases new report criticizing Ontario government while new Minister of Energy doubles down on methane gas. New report found that a cost-effective energy transition will mean that heat pumps are used to heat the vast majority of homes:
https://climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Heat-Exchange-Report-Canadian-Climate-Institute.pdf
The Toronto Star - Expanding Natural Gas Infrastructure To Heat Buildings Today Is Lie Investing In Video Rental Stores 15 Years Ago:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/expanding-gas-infrastructure-to-heat-buildings-today-is-like-investing-in-video-rental-stores-15/article_bfcc5ad0-28cf-11ef-b203-fb592c0e4c0b.html
The Toronto Star - Energy Minister Stephen Lecce Doubles Down On Natural Gas:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/ontarios-new-energy-minister-rejects-ideological-push-to-scrap-natural-gas-fired-power-plants/article_ff1b7d0e-299e-11ef-827d-a72a301250d5.html
13) Other Media - Other stories that may be of interest include the provincial government cancelling our important waste-water surveillance program, toxic lead levels in 50% of Ontario schools, electrification, aggregates, and new nuclear agreements:
The Toronto Star - Ontario To Halt COVID Wastewater Surveillance Program:
https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/ontario-to-halt-covid-wastewater-surveillance-program/article_4ef93028-22c4-11ef-b776-57f40c230d9f.html
TVO - Cancelling Ontario’s Waste-Water Program Is An Affront To Science And Common Sense:
https://www.tvo.org/article/cancelling-ontarios-waste-water-program-is-an-affront-to-science-and-common-sense
University of Toronto School Of Public Health - Toxic Lead Levels Found In Drinking Water In Almost Half Of Ontario Public Schools Over Past 4 Years:
https://ijb.utoronto.ca/news/toxic-lead-showing-up-in-ontario-school-and-daycare-drinking-water-as-evidence-of-serious-health-dangers-grows/
The Toronto Star - The Premier Is Taking Back To "Axe The Tax”:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/doug-ford-wants-to-steal-pierre-poilievres-thunder-for-his-own-re-election-bid/article_7eca36dc-2763-11ef-a24a-f7a2ae16674b.html
Global News - The Conservative Government Continues To Fumble On The Affordable House Front: Developers Say Ontario’s New Affordable Housing Pricing Will Mean Selling Homes At A Loss:
https://globalnews.ca/news/10563757/ontario-affordable-housing-definitions/#:
The Record/The Hamilton Spectator - There’s No Time To Lose On Electrification:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/theres-no-time-to-lose-on-electrification/article_cc70b1fd-9294-518c-995c-efa38203b558.html
The Record - Petersburg Residents Demand Air Monitoring Study - Group Appealing 7th Aggregate Pit Along Snyder’s Road:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/petersburg-residents-demand-air-monitoring-study/article_00c07976-c65e-5b89-ab71-d99bed720f2d.html
Ontario Government News Release - Ontario Land Major Nuclear Agreements Abroad:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004711/ontario-lands-major-nuclear-agreements-abroad-creates-jobs-at-home
Minister of Energy and Electrification Lecce has been busy in his new portfolio. He traveled to Romania and France and made some deals.
14) Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital Town Hall - The merger of our hospitals and creation of a new hospital site continues with an upcoming Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, June 18th at 6:30pm at the Kitchener Public Library. Register at the following link:
https://bit.ly/HospitalTownHall
There is also a survey that you can fill out at:
http://bit.ly/HospitalCareKW
15) Clean Air Alliance - Gas Free Ontario - The amazing folks at the Clear Air Alliance are asking citizens to speak up and send a message to the Auditor General to encourage a financial value for money audit of the new gas peaker plant in Napanee that will increase both pollution and our electricity bills when there are far cheaper and cleaner alternatives. Send a letter with one click:
https://www.cleanairalliance.org/leadership-needed-for-a-gas-free-ontario-cloned/#newmode-embed-21684-66237
16) Upcoming Party Funding And Election Issues - There are big changes coming to Ontario political party funding. Learn more about changes to Premier scrapping the Ontario taxpayer funded per vote subsidies brought in by Premier Wynne to reduce corruption and donor influencing and create a more fair and balanced funding system based on the percentage of votes received. These pending changes will be a big financial hit to opposition parties and those not holding $1,000 per plate dinners for well-connected donors:
Mike Crawley CBC - Ford Scrapping Per Vote Subsidies To Political Parties:
https://x.com/CBCQueensPark/status/1798383825233584279
CBC - Ford’s Early Election Musing Sets Ontario Politics Abuzz:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-ontario-election-early-call-1.7217283
17) Show Your Stripes - Friday June 21st - Climate Stripes were created by Professor Ed Hawkins, Climate Scientist from University of Reading as a representation of how temperatures have increased around the world since the industrial revolution. Everyone is asked to share their stripes with their networks. Learn more:
https://www.reading.ac.uk/planet/events/show-your-stripes-day
Get your stripes here:
https://showyourstripes.info/
In related news Environment Canada expects that most of Canada will experience above average temperatures in summer 2024. The map is very alarming:
https://x.com/environmentca/status/1800592581249966532?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw
18) Heat Pump Event Hosted By Guelph Climate Action Network - Join the Guelph Climate Action Network on Tuesday, June 25 at 7pm at 42 Carden Street to learn more about heat pumps. Learn more by e-mailing Anne Moore at: guelphclimateactionnetwork at gmail.com <mailto:guelphclimateactionnetwork at gmail.com>
19) Our Own Jenna Quinn Received An Honourable Mention In The Narwhal! - A Narwhal feature on how Ontario biologists are fighting poaching of the incredibly cute spotted turtle includes a quote by Jenna Quinn:
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-spotted-turtle/
20) Toxic Plastics Facility Shuts Down - A plastics plant in southern Ontario that was ordered by the provincial and federal government to reduce cancer-causing benzene that sent members of the nearby Aamjiwnaang First Nation to hospital has decided to permanently close:
CBC - Ontario Plastics Plant Facing Government Orders To Reduce Toxic Emissions Will Shut Down Permanently:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/ontario-plastics-plant-facing-government-orders-to-reduce-toxic-emissions-will-shut-down-permanently-1.7231465
21) Reminder - Next Meeting - Join us tomorrow - Friday, June 14th 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 - Please don’t claim there’s nothing happening over the next few weeks! Get out and get involved!
Thursday, June 13th at 6:00pm - Waterloo Climate Collaborative delegation training for Climate presentations: https://wilfrid-laurier.zoom.us/j/92009893553
Friday, June 14th at 5:30pm - Next group update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
Saturday, June 15th - 11:00am - Fight For Farmland Petition and Lawn Sign Distribution Canvassing - Elmira Tim Hortons - 305 Arthur Street, Elmira
Saturday, June 15th - 6pm to 8pm - Council of Canadians Pub Night - The Duke Of Wellington Pub, Waterloo - See poster below.
Monday, June 17th - 6:30pm - City of Waterloo ClimateActionWR/Waterloo Climate Collaborative Council Delegation - https://forms.waterloo.ca/Legislative-Services/Delegation-Registration
Tuesday, June 18th - 7pm - Woolwich Township ClimateActionWR/Waterloo Climate Collaborative Council Delegation - https://forms.woolwich.ca/Speak-to-Council-Registration-Form
Tuesday, June 18th at 6:30pm Grand River Hospital Town Hall Meeting at the Kitchener Public Library - https://bit.ly/HospitalTownHall
Wednesday, June 19th at 6:30pm - Fight For Farmland Rally at Region of Waterloo Council - 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener - www.fightforfarmland.com
Thursday, June 20th at 7:00pm - Fight For Farmland Town Hall Meeting - New Hamburg Community Centre Hall, 251 Jacob Street, Downtown New Hamburg - www.fightforfarmland.com
Thursday, June 20th at 7:00pm - Housing Town Hall: Reaching Waterloo Region’s Housing Targets, First United Church, 16 William St. Waterloo - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/waterloopla/1278974
Monday, June 24th at 6:30pm - Fight For Farmland Rally at Wilmot Township Council - 60 Snyder’s Road, West, Baden - www.fightforfarmland.com
Monday, June 24th 6:00pm - GDS/High Performance Development Standards - Cambridge Centre of the Arts - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-design-workshop-cambridge-tickets-924667012927
Monday, June 24th at 7:00pm - Fight For Farmland Town Hall Meeting #2 - New Hamburg Community Centre Hall, 251 Jacob Street, Downtown New Hamburg - www.fightforfarmland.com
Monday, June 24th - 7pm - City of Kitchener ClimateActionWR/Waterloo Climate Collaborative Council Delegation - https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/appear-as-a-delegation.aspx
Tuesday, June 25th 6:00pm - GDS/High Performance Development Standards - Waterloo Memorial Recreational Complex - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-design-workshop-waterloo-tickets-924668226557
Tuesday, June 25th - 7pm - Guelph Climate Action Network - Heat Pump Event - 42 Carden Street
Wednesday, June 26th 3:00pm - GDS/High Performance Development Standards - Kitchener Public Library - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-design-workshop-kitchener-tickets-915403866607?aff=oddtdtcreator
Wednesday, June 26th 7:00pm - GDS/High Performance Development Standards - Kitchener Public Library - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-design-workshop-kitchener-tickets-915575660447?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thursday, June 27th 7:00pm - GDS/High Performance Development Standards - New Hamburg Community Centre - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/high-performance-development-standards-community-workshop-new-hamburg-tickets-924660864537
Monday, July 8th - 6pm - North Dumfries Township ClimateActionWR/Waterloo Climate Collaborative Council Delegation - https://www.northdumfries.ca/en/township-services/speak-before-council.aspx
Tuesday, July 16th, 6:30pm - City of Cambridge - ClimateActionWR/Waterloo Climate Collaborative Council Delegation - https://forms.cambridge.ca/Delegation-Request-Form
Monday, July 29th at 6:30pm - Fight For Farmland Rally at Wilmot Township Council - 60 Snyder’s Road, West, Baden - www.fightforfarmland.com
Wednesday, August 28th at 6:30pm - Fight For Farmland Rally at Region of Waterloo Council - 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener - www.fightforfarmland.com
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B) Wilmot Councillor Press Conference Photos - Wilmot, June 12th, 2024:



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C) Council of Canadians Pub Night - Saturday, June 15th 6pm - The Duke Of Wellington Pub, Waterloo:

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D) Housing Town Hall: Reaching Waterloo Region’s Housing Targets, Thursday, June 20th at 7:00pm -
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/waterloopla/1278974

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/waterloopla/1278974
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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>
Stewart Cressman, Councillor Ward 1, Wilmot, stewart.cressman at wilmot.ca <mailto:stewart.cressman at wilmot.ca>
Kris Wilkinson, Councillor Ward 2, Wilmot, kris.wilkinson at wilmot.ca <mailto:kris.wilkinson at wilmot.ca>
Havir Sidhu, Councillor Ward 3, Wilmot, harvir.sidhu at wilmot.ca <mailto:harvir.sidhu at wilmot.ca>
Lillianne Dunstall, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, lillianne.dunstall at wilmot.ca <mailto:lillianne.dunstall at wilmot.ca>
Steven Martin, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, steven.martin at wilmot.ca <mailto:steven.martin at wilmot.ca>
Region of Waterloo Council
Karen Redman, Regional Chair, kredman at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:kredman at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor, Kitchener, berryv at kitchener.ca <mailto:berryv at kitchener.ca>
Dorothy McCabe, Mayor, City of Waterloo, dorothy.mccabe at waterloo.ca <mailto:dorothy.mccabe at waterloo.ca>
Jan Liggett, Cambridge Mayor, Cambridge, liggettj at cambridge.ca <mailto:liggettj at cambridge.ca>
Sue Foxton, Mayor, North Dumfries, sfoxton at northdumfries.ca <mailto:sfoxton at northdumfries.ca>
Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Wilmot, natasha.salonen at wilmot.ca <mailto:natasha.salonen at wilmot.ca>
Joe Nowak, Mayor, Wellesley, jnowak at wellesley.ca <mailto:jnowak at wellesley.ca>
Sandy Shantz, Mayor, Woolwich, sshantz at woolwich.ca <mailto:sshantz at woolwich.ca>
Doug Craig, Regional Councillor, Cambridge, dougcraig at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:dougcraig at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Pam Wolf, Regional Councillor, Cambridge, pwolf at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:pwolf at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Colleen James, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, CJames at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:CJames at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Michael Harris, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, MHarris at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:MHarris at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Kari Williams, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, KariWilliams at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:KariWilliams at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Rob Deutschmann, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, RDeutschmann at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:RDeutschmann at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Jim Erb, Regional Councillor, Waterloo, JErb at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:JErb at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Chantal Huinink, Regional Councillor, Waterloo, CHuinink at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:CHuinink at regionofwaterloo.ca>
Province of Ontario
Premier Doug Ford - doug.fordco at pc.ola.org <mailto:doug.fordco at pc.ola.org> or 416-325-1941
Paul Calandra - Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing - paul.calandra at pc.ola.org <mailto:steve.clark at pc.ola.org> or 416-585-7000
Andrea Khanjin - Minster of Environment, Conservation and Parks - andrea.khanjin at pc.ola.org <mailto:andrea.khanjin at pc.ola.org> or 705-722-0575
Todd Smith - Minister of Energy - todd.smith at pc.ola.org <mailto:todd.smith at pc.ola.org> or 613-962-1144
Michael Parsa - Associate Minister of Housing - michael.parsaco at pc.ola.org <mailto:michael.parsaco at pc.ola.org>
Local Conservative MPPs:
Mike Harris Jr - Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, MPP Kitchener-Conestoga - mike.harris at pc.ola.org <mailto:mike.harris at pc.ola.org> or 519-669-2090
Brian Riddell - MPP Cambridge - brian.riddell at pc.ola.org <mailto:brian.riddell at pc.ola.org> or 519-650-2770
Jess Dixon - MPP Kitchener South - jess.dixon at pc.ola.org <mailto:jess.dixon at pc.ola.org> or 519-650-9413
Will Bouma - MPP Brantford-Brant - will.bouma at pc.ola.org <mailto:will.bouma at pc.ola.org> or (519) 759-0361
Ted Arnott - MPP Wellington-Halton Hills - ted.arnott at pc.ola.org <mailto:ted.arnott at pc.ola.org> or (519) 787-5247
Ernie Hardeman - MPP Oxford - ernie.hardeman at pc.ola.org <mailto:ernie.hardeman at pc.ola.org> or (519) 537-5222
Matthew Rae - MPP Perth-Wellington - matthew.rae at pc.ola.org <mailto:matthew.rae at pc.ola.org> or (519) 272-0660
Local NDP MPPs:
Catherine Fife - MPP Waterloo - cfife-qp at ndp.on.ca <mailto:cfife-qp at ndp.on.ca> or 519-725-3477
Local Green Party MPPs:
Mike Schreiner - MPP Guelph - mschreiner at ola.or <mailto:mschreiner at ola.org>g or (519) 836-4190
New! - Aislinn Clancy - MPP Kitchener Centre - aclancy-co at ola.org <mailto:aclancy-co at ola.org> or 519-579-5460
Independent MPPs:
Bobbi Ann Brady - MPP Haldimand-Norfolk - babrady-co at ola.org <mailto:babrady-co at ola.org> or (519) 428-0446
Federal Members of Parliament
Local Liberal MPs:
Bryan May - MP Cambridge - bryan.may at parl.gc.ca <mailto:bryan.may at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 624-7440
Tim Louis - MP Kitchener-Conestoga - tim.louis at parl.gc.ca <mailto:tim.louis at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 578-3777
Valerie Bradford - MP Kitchener-South Hespeler - valerie.bradford at parl.gc.ca <mailto:valerie.bradford at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 571-5509
Bardish Chagger - MP Waterloo - bardish.chagger at parl.gc.ca <mailto:bardish.chagger at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 746-1573
Lloyd Longfield - MP Guelph - lloyd.longfield at parl.gc.ca <mailto:lloyd.longfield at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 837-8276
Local Conservative MPs:
Michael Chong - MP Wellington-Halton Hills - michael.chong at parl.gc.ca <mailto:michael.chong at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 843-7344
Larry Brok - MP Brantford-Brant - larry.brock at parl.gc.ca <mailto:larry.brock at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 754-4300
John Nater - MP Perth-Wellington - john.nater at parl.gc.ca <mailto:john.nater at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 273-1400
Local Green Party MPs:
Mike Morrice - MP Kitchener - mike.morrice at parl.gc.ca <mailto:mike.morrice at parl.gc.ca> or (519) 741-2001
-----------------------------------
Kevin Thomason
Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network
www.gren.ca <http://www.gren.ca/>
Phone: (519) 888-0519
Mobile Phone/WhatsApp: (519) 240-1648
Twitter: @kthomason
E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com <mailto:kevinthomason at mac.com>
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