[All] Schneider's Lands Approved!, Get It Done Deadlines Looming, OEB Concerns Continue, Bill 23, Meeting March 7th at 5:30pm

Thu Mar 7 17:24:46 EST 2024

Good Day,

A reminder that tomorrow (Friday, March 8th) at 5:30pm is our regular bi-weekly Update Meeting on Zoom.  Join us to discuss the latest on Bill 162 - The Get It Done Act deadlines, the Schneiders Lands approval, new reports, and other updates:

	https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09   

Here’s the latest news:

1) Bill 162 - The Get It Done Act - Bill 162 continues to raise concerns across the province.  Numerous municipal staff reports are coming forward raising even more concerns.  This bill will be particularly brutal for Halton Region and Waterloo Region that will see forced boundary expansions destroying Regional Official Plans and causing the unnecessary destruction of thousands of acres of irreplaceable farmland.  The omnibus bill also includes changes to land expropriation and environmental reviews to facilitate highway construction that are very concerning along with Doug Ford’s attempt to block future carbon taxes.

There’s lots not to like about this Bill so please speak up through all of the following easy methods:

	LeadNow.ca <http://leadnow.ca/> Campaign - Stop Ford’s Latest Overeach - The Get It Done Act:
	https://act.leadnow.ca/getitdone-opposition/

Environmental Defence is urging citizens to use their simple calling tool to urge MPP’s to vote against the Get It Done Act:

	Environmental Defence - The Get It Done Act Will Hit Waterloo and Halton Regions Hard:
	https://ca.engagingnetworks.app/page/email?mid=048f71fb903d4ca4bdd2869480712d45

And we urge you to speak up on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) as well as e-mail your MPP so there is a public record of concerns against this Act:

	ERO - Get It Done Act, 2024 - Amending the Official Plan Adjustments Act, 2023
	https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8273

We only have until March 21st until the comment period on the ERO closes.

2) Special Project *G - The Narwhal announced more news about the Greenbelt Scandal yesterday with a new story outlining the extreme measures the provincial government went to for secrecy on the plan to open up parts of the Greenbelt including using code names, personal e-mail accounts, files that have been wrongly deleted, and other concerning issues that should give the RCMP even more to investigate:

	The Narwhal - Special Project G*: Ontario Government Staff Used Code Name For Greenbelt Carveouts:
	https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-greenbelt-code-words/

Global News also reported that the Ford government considered the Greenbelt decision to be “medium” policy risk before the August and September of discontent in 2023:

	Global News - Government Considered Greenbelt “Medium” Risk:
	https://globalnews.ca/news/10340749/ontario-greenbelt-medium-risk-documents/

3) Schneider’s Land Donation - It was fantastic to see Wilmot Township finally approve the ecological land severances, zoning changes, and Official Plan Amendments on Monday night that will finally allow the Schneider’s Land donation to the Rare Charitable Reserve proceed without the absurd requirement for a parking lot that would have been so challenging and damaging to construct.  Thank you to the amazing team at the rare Charitable Reserve and everyone who spoke up to urge Wilmot Township to approve this donation in a more timely manner.

Unfortunately, Wilmot Councillors were unwilling to change any of the troubling proposed changes to area roads despite all of the concerns raised about illogical speed limits, the need to reduce heavy truck traffic on all area roads, the potentially quite dangerous new intersection being proposed at Wideman Road, and the considerable No Parking zones being created for kilometres in the area that will prevent people from being able to access many trails for winter skiing when parking is most needed.

Despite all the challenges from Wilmot Township, thankfully, the City of Waterloo will still be allowing parking along Wideman Road year-round that will permit the winter use of the cross-country ski trails to continue and to do everything they can to ensure the successful donation of the Schneider Lands.

There is still the need to develop a vision for this entire Laurel Creek Headwaters Environmentally Sensitive Landscape and Waterloo Moraine area in the years ahead to ensure that rapid growth doesn’t overwhelm this area with traffic on rural roads not suitable for large amounts of traffic, destroy natural areas, impact groundwater aquifers, etc.  We will need to work together as a community to help find the optimal solutions to ensure the best balance of people and nature in the years ahead.

Here’s the latest media stories:

	CBC - Wilmot Council Considers New Safety Report for Schneider Land Donation:
	https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/schneider-family-wilmot-council-land-donation-parking-1.7124052

	CTV CKCO News - Council Recommends Rezoning Schneider Land To Facilitate Donation:
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/council-staff-recommends-rezoning-schneider-land-to-facilitate-donation-1.6789237

	CityNews - Schneider Family Land Donation Approved By Wilmot Council:
	https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/03/04/schneider-family-land-donation-approved-by-wilmot-council/

	CTV CKCO News - Wilmot Council Clears Major Roadblock in Schneider Land Donation:
	https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/wilmot-council-clears-major-roadblock-in-schneider-land-donation-1.6795060

4) Kitchener Inclusionary Zoning - On March 18th, Kitchener City Council will vote on whether to require “Inclusionary Zoning”, which requires a portion of all new developments around iON Light rail stations to be affordable housing.  Community support is needed to counter developer objections and ensure that this opportunity to see more than 800+ affordable homes built over the next 10 years.  

Hal Jaeger and his team have been doing an incredible job of raising awareness and ensuring a strong community response but far more petition signatures are needed to show the broad level of support there is to better address our housing crisis.  Please ensure that yourself and others have signed the petition at:

	https://stopsprawlwr.wixsite.com/inclusionaryzoning

Please also let Hal know if you can delegate or support other delegations at the March 18th Council Meeting at 519-341-6007 or hzjaeger at gmail.com <mailto:hzjaeger at gmail.com>.

5) New Conservation Authority Regulations - Fatima Syed of the Narwhal summarizes the significant negative impact of the new regulations that came into force for Ontario's Conservation Authorities in the article below. The article includes this zinger: "The minister better staff up if he wants to tell us what to do," Tim Byrne, head of Essex Region Conservation Authority in-between Lake Erie and the Detroit River, told The Narwhal. "And as for overruling us or appealing our decisions, well f*ck you, minister. Based on what?”.  Even Ecojustice claims “it’s just going to cause chaos” as Conservation Authorities see their ability to ensure people and property is adequately protected further eroded.

	The Narwhal - Ontario Weakens Watershed Protections (Again) As Natural Resources Minister Gets New Powers:
	https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-conservation-authorities-changes/

6) Blueprint For More And Better Housing - The Task Force For Housing and Climate headed by former Conservative Cabinet Minister Lisa Raitt, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson as well as former Bank of Canada/England Governor Mark Carney has released their latest report “Blueprint For More And Better Housing” that states we need to build 5.8 million homes by 2030 that are affordable, sustainable, and resilient for climate change.  Key aspects include the importance of where to build - avoiding sprawl and ensuring transit access, what we build - with better efficiency and better use of space, as well as how we build with better innovations, materials and processes.  Most importantly it confirms that we can address both affordability and climate goals together.

Download and read the report (also attached below as a PDF):

	https://housingandclimate.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Blueprint-for-More-and-Better-Housing-Mar-2024-EN.pdf

Read a great analysis by one of the authors:

	Cherise Burda - Building The Homes Canada Needs Doesn’t Have To Cost Us Our Climate Goals - Here’s How:
	https://www.torontomu.ca/city-building/news-research/2024/03/housing-climate-task-force-blueprint/

7) SC Johnson To Stay in Brantford - Great news that SC Johnson has been able to find a solution to be able to remain in Brantford and won’t be forced to relocate because of a pending residential development being located in an industrial area making it almost impossible for them to continue plant operations.  Learn more at:

	Brantford Expositor - Done Deal: SC Johnson Staying In Brantford:
	https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/done-deal-sc-johnson-staying-in-brantford

	City of Brantford - City Celebrates SC Johnson’s Continued Commitment To The Brantford Community:
	https://www.brantford.ca/en/city-celebrates-sc-johnson-s-continued-commitment-to-the-brantford-community.aspx

8) Disturbing Changes Proposed for the Province's Municipal Environmental Assessment Requirements -   Please remember that we only have until March 17th to speak up about the egregious proposal to change the municipal environmental assessment requirements by allowing a slew of municipal construction projects to be exempt from the Municipal Comprehensive Environmental Assessment such as new pumping stations, expanding sewage treatment plants up to 25% of existing rate capacity, all municipal roads or new parking lots, reconstruction of bridges with or without cultural heritage value and the list goes on. 

The ERO posting can be found here: 

	https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7891#supporting-materials

9) Recent Media - Includes ongoing concerns about Doug Ford interfering with judicial appointments, Greenbelt investigations continuing, and how to boost housing affordability:

	Global News - Chair of Ontario Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee Also Lobbying Government For US Gun Firm:
	https://globalnews.ca/news/10321561/ontario-jaac-chair-registered-lobby/

	TVO - The Anatomy Of A Bungled Press Conference:
	https://www.tvo.org/article/an-anatomy-of-a-bungled-press-conference

	The Pointer - Greenbelt Scandal Far From Over, RCMP Investigation Continues:
	https://thepointer.com/article/2024-01-31/greenbelt-scandal-far-from-over-rcmp-investigation-continues-integrity-commissioner-review-underway-as-community-opposition-grows

	The Narwhal - Ontario To Cut Protections For Tiny Endangered Fish Found Along Route Of Highway #413:
	https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-endangered-species-redside-dace-highway-413/

	TVO - Want To Boost Housing Affordability?  Then Start Thinking About Sewers:
	https://www.tvo.org/article/want-to-boost-housing-affordability-then-start-thinking-about-sewers

	The Toronto Star - Judges Do Not Take Orders From Government.  Ex-Chief Justices Ring Alarm Over Doug Ford Wanting Like-Minded Judges:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/judges-do-not-take-orders-from-government-ex-chief-justices-ring-alarm-over-doug-ford/article_122e2780-dbe7-11ee-9f18-4f31c21b35c6.html

10) 1.2 Million Pre-Construction Units In Pipeline - Thanks to Laura for pointing out this new article showing more than 1.2 million pre-construction units in the pipeline across the GTHA showing that we certainly don’t need to be destroying the Greenbelt or building Highway #413 to reach a 1.5 million home target:

	Urban Toronto - 1.2 Million Pre-Construction Units In The Pipeline Across The GTHA:
	https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2024/02/12-million-pre-construction-units-pipeline-across-gtha.55270 

11) Wheels On The Bus - A reminder about the great new report from Environmental Defence and Equiterre if you haven’t seen it yet that concludes the largest factor in the ability to reduce emissions is urban built form and the importance of the need to reduce sprawl while building transit ridership with frequent, fast public transit.

	Meeting Canada’s Climate Goals and Unlocking The Potential of Public Transit:
	https://environmentaldefence.ca/report/putting-wheels-on-the-bus-public-transit-policy-to-meet-canada-climate-goals/

12) Concern Continues About Plans To Overrule the OEB - Doug Ford wants you to pay more for heating and continues to push the ironically named Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, Bill 165 to override the OEB's December decision that Enbridge gas pipeline expansions shouldn't be subsidized by current gas ratepayers given that there are now better alternatives such as heat pumps available.  

Tell Doug Ford and Energy Minister Todd Smith that Ontarians want affordable, green heating and to leave the Ontario Energy Board alone.  We need to be banning natural gas and following other jurisdictions in prohibiting new connections - not overruling independent energy boards and forcing new connections on citizens for decades to come.  Speak up and sign the online petition from LeadNow.ca <http://leadnow.ca/> at:

	Leadnow - Doug Ford Wants You To May More For Heating:
	https://act.leadnow.ca/oeb-mpp/

13) Drought In Western Canada - The multi-year drought in the Prairies continues as farmers sell off their herds:

	CBC - As Drought Persists On The Prairies, Some Farmers Are Selling Off Their Herds:
	https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/prairies-drought-farmers-alberta-1.7134770

14) The Future of Farmland Forum - The Ontario Farmland Trust would like to invite you to the annual Farmland Forum on March 21st from 9am to 5pm at the Grandway Events Centre in Elora and online.  Registration and more information can be found at:

	https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/forum/

15) Reminder - Next Meeting - Join us next Friday, March 8th 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

Friday, March 8th - 5:30pm - Next update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

The Future of Farmland Forum - Thursday, March 21st 9am to 5pm - https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/forum/

ERO Deadline Municipal Environmental Assessment Requirements - Deadline - Sunday, March 17th - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7891

ERO Deadline Get It Done Act Amending the Official Plan Adjustments Act, 2024 - Deadline - Thursday, March 21st - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8273

Guelph Climate Action Network - Saturday, April 6 - 1:30pm - Climate Solutions Screening Bookshelf Cinema - https://jamesgordon.ca/guelph-climate-action-network 

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B) The Get It Done Act, 2024

The Get It Done Act - All of the red arrows on the map are unnecessary forced boundary expansions being imposed by the provincial government on the Region of Waterloo - destroying thousands of acres of local farmland for rampant urban sprawl at the expense of our sustainable Regional Official Plan.

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C) ERO - Get It Done Act, 2024 - Amending the Official Plan Adjustments Act, 2023

Please respond by March 21, 2024

	https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8273

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8273

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D) Blueprint For More and Better Housing by the Task Force for Housing & Climate:

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E) Recent Media

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F) 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 - 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

-----------------------------------
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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