[All] Trump Changes Wilmot, Greenbelt Scandal Continues, Bike Lanes Aren't The Problem, Highway 413 Actions, Energy Act Hearings & Many Other Upcoming Activties
Kevin Thomason
kevinthomason at mac.com
Fri Nov 8 11:47:38 EST 2024
Good Day,
Breaking news this morning as The Record reports Trump’s win puts into question the Wilmot Land Assembly, the Greenbelt Scandal continues to make headlines along with Premier Ford’s absurd attack on bike lanes. There’s lots you can do to speak up on Highway 413 concerns, Bill 214 the (not) Affordable Energy Act, and Bill 212 The (not) Reducing Gridlock Act as well as lots of other activities around the Grand River Watershed.
Here’s the latest:
***0) Breaking News - Trump’s Win Puts A Question Mark Over Proposed Wilmot Mega-Industrial Site - Today's Record newspaper has an excellent leading article on page A3 by Luisa D’Amato questioning the entire Wilmot Land Assembly now that Donald Trump has been elected US President as he is vowing to curtail EV’s, cut government subsidies, and impose daunting border tariffs - making it highly unlikely that any manufacturer is going to invest billions of dollars in a large EV battery plant or clean industry here in Wilmot Township or any part of Canada.
Tony LaMantia from the Waterloo EDC who has been one of the only proponents for this absurd farmland destroying location for one of the largest mega-industrial sites in the world has astonishing comments in today's article admitting that large projects like the Wilmot Land Assembly are “going to be put on hold” and that “maybe this all dries up and blows away.”
These are real lives, homes, farms, and local businesses that Tony LaMantia has been advocating to be destroyed without a single public meeting or study and now he's casually stating it might just quietly go away!?!
We need to end this decisively and make sure that heads roll so that a fiasco like this that has consumed our community for months never happens again. It was simply bad planning and awful, unjustified decisions that sought to take advantage of local landowners and overturn decades of good planning and broad community efforts for a sustainable, successful future. There has been no proper process, no transparency with all decisions happening in secret backroom meetings, no proper studies or costing, and there needs to be a clear termination with assurances that overriding proper planning processes will never happen again along with systems such as our Regional Official Plan, Regional Planning Authority, and the Countryside Line restored, and perhaps even Greenbelt expansion atop our Protected Countryside to help ensure the long-term certainty needed for our communities.
We already had the balanced, sustainable Regional Official Plan we needed to grow our population to 930,000 people over the next 30 years. We need to end this Land Assembly decisively and not have things languish or bad decisions like this be put on hold dragging out for years and hampering so much in our community in the meantime.
The Record - Trump’s Win Puts A Question Mark Over Proposed Industrial Site In Wilmot:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/trumps-win-puts-a-question-mark-over-proposed-industrial-site-in-wilmot/article_bd35d7a9-7b90-5836-937c-2ae569a042e9.html
Action Required - Please call and 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 - particularly in light of these most recent events.
1) Fight For Farmland - It’s been fantastic to see the ongoing Letters To The Editor and people speaking up with e-mails and phone calls to elected officials at the municipal, regional and provincial levels. We know a provincial election must be coming because Mike Harris Jr. even sent his first electronic newsletter in 6 years to hundreds of citizens throughout our community - but not surprisingly without a single word about the Wilmot Land Assembly despite it being potentially the largest expenditure of taxpayer dollars ever in his riding.
The Record - Questions Remain Unanswered About Wilmot Corn Crop:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/oct-31-let-the-lcbo-start-recycling-cans-and-bottles-questions-remain-unanswered-about-wilmot/article_0a662f67-c279-51f6-b99f-6dd3f9eb77e6.html
Join us at the next Region of Waterloo Council meeting on Wednesday, November 20th at 6:30pm to protest and rally, then join us inside the Council Chambers where we hope there will be at least be a General Interest delegation or two on the Wilmot Land Assembly. Please register to speak with the Regional Clerk at regionalclerk at regionofwaterloo.ca if you can speak about your concerns with the proposal and how it will impact you and your family.
Region of Waterloo Council Meeting: 150 Fredrick Street East, Kitchener - Wednesday, November 20th - 6:30pm Rally & Protest, Council Meeting starts at 7:00pm
Excellent NDP Video - In case you missed it here’s the link to watch the great video done by the Official Provincial Opposition on the Wilmot Land Assembly:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/n5cpKbUE_XA
LWIFF Rebels With A Cause Film Night Follow-up - Thanks again to the amazing team at the Laurier Wellbeing In Film Forum (LWIFF) for organizing such an great night for Fight For Farmland at the Princess Cinema recently. Their next film One Voice about the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir will feature a live performance by Waterloo Region’s own Interfaith/Multicultural community choir Inshallah at the Princess Cinema. Learn more at:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DB38nIRp6KM/
Friends of Fight For Farmland Instagram - Erin & Lilly, two high school students with a deep passion for agriculture and respect for hardworking farmers, started an Instagram account to engage their peers on the critical issues facing Wilmot. With the potential loss of 770 acres of prime farmland at stake, they’re committed to keeping the community updated on events and news in support of the Fight for Farmland group!
Follow them @friendsoffight4farmland for event reminders, updates, and insights into why Gen Z and Millennials must stand up and stop this mega-industrial site:
https://www.instagram.com/friendsoffight4farmland/
Action Required - We need to keep writing and calling Premier Ford, Cabinet Ministers, and local MPPs Mike Harris Jr, Jess Dixon, Brian Riddell, and others to keep the pressure on Queen’s Park and let them know that we are an UNWILLING HOST.
2) Greenbelt Scandal Continues To Make Headlines - There were several more media articles this week as new details continue to emerge about the Greenbelt Scandal. The government’s stories just don’t add up, key information is still missing, and fired staffers continue to withhold evidence as personal e-mails were used against regulations for official government business:
The Toronto Star - The Former Ford Government Staffer At The Centre Of The Greenbelt Scandal Used Personal E-mails To Do Government Business. He Is Refusing To Hand Them Over:
https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/the-former-ford-government-staffer-at-the-centre-of-the-greenbelt-scandal-used-personal-emails/article_b8a2cf90-9865-11ef-814c-ff4bea7b1cee.html
The Toronto Star - Housing Minister Wants Former Staffer To Hand Over Personal E-mails Related To Greenbelt:
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/housing-minister-wants-former-staffer-to-hand-over-personal-emails-related-to-greenbelt/article_8691cd7e-9aec-11ef-adb4-ef32553f4111.html
The Narwhal - Key Figure In Ontario Greenbelt Scandal Worked On Highway 413 And Bradford Bypass. But Records Are Scarce:
https://thenarwhal.ca/ryan-amato-greenbelt-highway-records/
3) Bike Lanes Attacks, Protests, And A Defiant Waterloo Region Council Approves New Bike Lanes - Premier Doug Ford continued his attacks on bike lanes as protests increased around the province. Kudos to Region of Waterloo Councillors who stood firm and approved new bike lanes despite the Premier’s antics. Learn more on how you can speak up and push back in the next section #4 Bill 212 below;
The Trillium - Ford Government Starts Work To Remove Bike Lanes From Bloor, Yonge and University:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/ford-government-starts-work-to-remove-bike-lanes-from-bloor-yonge-and-university-9740172?
The Toronto Star - Star Wars Said It Best - Doug Ford’s Attack On Bike Lanes Is A Trap:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/star-wars-said-it-best-doug-fords-attack-on-bike-lanes-is-a-trap/article_c32f9c52-9867-11ef-a17c-efb4f70dad69.html
The Trillium - Doug Ford Says Only 1.2% Of Torontnians Commute By Bike. That’s Not True:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/doug-ford-says-only-12-of-torontonians-commute-by-bike-thats-not-true-9743715
The Globe & Mail - Drivers, Bike Lanes Are Not The Enemy. Ripping Them Out Will Only Make Commutes Worse:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/culture/article-drivers-bike-lanes-are-not-the-enemy-ripping-them-out-will-only-make/
I Can’t Believe That I Have To Make This Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZDEehlaC4
Over 2,408 comments!
Brantford Expositor - Bike Lane Debate Reaches Brantford City Council:
https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/bike-lane-debate-reaches-brantford-city-council
BayToday.ca - Cancel Culture Comes To Bicycling:
https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/opinion-cancel-culture-comes-to-bicycling-9739436
CityNews - Regional Councillors Approve New Bike Lane Plans For Waterloo:
https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/11/07/regional-councillors-approve-new-bike-lane-plans-for-waterloo/?
Action Required - See next section (Item #4) for actions you can take to speak up and better guide things.
4) Citizens And Groups Push Back On Bill 212 and Highway #413 - The provincial Conservative government this week passed a motion to cut off debate and restricted public hearings on Bill 212, The Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act (though better referred to as the More Highways, Less Bike Lanes Act). This act will fast-track Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, bypass environmental assessments, and restrict bike lanes. Speak up or request to appear before the committee hearings. Details are as follows:
Hearings on Bill 212 - November 18th 9am to 10am, 1pm to 6pm
Request to appear by November 8th (today) at: https://www.ola.org/en/apply-committees.
Written submissions due by November 18th at 7pm to: https://www.ola.org/en/apply-committees
Clause-By-Clause Review - November 21st 9am to 10:15am, 1pm to 6pm, 7pm to midnight
Environmental Defence is encouraging folks to “witness” the committee hearings on Bill 212 on November 18th by attending in person. If you can attend, please reach out to Mike Marcolongo (mmarcolongo at environmentaldefence.ca) and he can provide more details.
Environmental Defence Webinar - Learn about the request for a new federal impact assessment of Highway 413, details about Bill 212, and the actions that you can take including the upcoming Day of Action at this free webinar. Details and registration is as follows:
Webinar Date: Tuesday, November 19th, 2024
Time: 7pm to 8pm
Register for the Zoom link at: https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/160526/petition/1
Environmental Defence is helping to co-ordinate A Day Of Action and a number of rallies to push back on Bill 212 on Friday, November 22nd - more details to follow. If you are interested in leading a rally in the KW/Guelph area, please reach out to Mike Marcolongo (mmarcolongo at environmentaldefence.ca).
The Wilderness Committee Letter Writing Tool - Highway 413 Urgently Needs A Federal Impact Assessment - Use this simple form to draft a letter and automatically send it to the Premier and Cabinet:
https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/take-action/highway-413-urgently-needs-federal-impact-assessment
Recent Media:
The Pointer - Ford’s Latest Bill Fast Tracking Construction Of 413 Could Be The Gateway For Highways To Hell:
https://thepointer.com/article/2024-11-03/ford-s-latest-bill-fast-tracking-construction-of-413-could-be-the-gateway-for-highways-to-hell
Caledon Citizen - Councillor Tables Motion Against Building Highway 413 As Outlined In Province’s Bill 212:
https://caledoncitizen.com/councillor-tables-motion-against-building-highway-413-as-outlined-in-provinces-bill-212/
Action Required - Write, call, and delegate to protest Bill 212 and call for better solutions for transportation and better public transit.
5) Some Mayors Support Overriding Rights Of Most Vulnerable - In an astonishing move after failing to pass a motion asking for the Notwithstanding Clause to deal with encampments, 13 of Ontario’s 29 big city mayors ask Ford directly (at his behest and invitation) to pass legislation to move homeless people out of encampments:
The Trillium - Mayor’s Accept Fords “Invitation” To Ask For Notswithstanding Clause To Deal With Encampments”:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/housing/mayors-accept-fords-invitation-to-ask-for-notwithstanding-clause-9740513?
- with lots of quotes from Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett
CTV Kitchener - Cambridge Council Supports Ontario’s Big City Mayors Resolution Addressing Homelessness:
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/cambridge-council-supports-ontario-s-big-city-mayors-resolution-addressing-homelessness-1.7100791
Action Required - Speak up to elected officials on the need for better solutions to address our housing and homelessness crisis.
6) Guelph City Council And The Green Party Push Back on Enbridge's A Free Ride - Its great to see Mike Schreiner and the Green Party introduce a private members bill to allow municipalities to charge utilities to run pipes under public lands and roads. Currently, while other utilities and telecom companies pay millions of dollars each year to area municipalities for the right to use public lands to deliver their products and services, Enbridge is exempt. We need to ensure that fossil fuel companies pay their fair share and help to provide much needed revenues to our municipalities.
It was fantastic to have Guelph City Council vote against a Staff recommendation with an 11-2 vote to push back on Enbridge’s free ride and ask staff to renegotiate the upcoming municipal franchise agreement to start to charge Enbridge for the use of municipal rights of way:
Guelph Today - Council Wants More Money In New Contract With Enbridge:
https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/council-wants-more-money-in-new-contract-with-enbridge-9768089
Fill out the easy online petition from the Green Party to show your support for their private member’s bill and automatically send letters to elected officials at:
https://secure.gpo.ca/stop-subsidizing-fossil-fuels
Action Required - Encourage your municipality to push back against Enbridge as well and start to charge for access to municipal rights of way like other utilities. Ensure your elected officials know we need to be curtailing fossil fuels - not subsidizing them.
7) Bill 214 The Affordable Energy Act (or more appropriate the pushing fossil fuels and nuclear act) - This bill gives the government sweeping control over Ontario’s energy planning and nuclear investments without public hearings or public information. Bill 214 also does not require the province to consider affordability, conservation, energy alternative, reliability or sustainability. Similar to Bill 212, the province has cut off further debate and is limiting public hearings. However, there is still time to speak up. Details are as follows:
Hearings on Bill 214 - November 18th 9am to 10am, 1pm to 6pm
Request to appear by November 12th at: https://www.ola.org/en/apply-committees.
Written submissions due by November 18th at 7pm to: https://www.ola.org/en/apply-committees
Clause-By-Clause Review - November 21st 9am to 10:15am, 1pm to 6pm, 7pm to midnight
Action Required - Write, call, and delegate to protest Bill 214 and call for better and more sustainable energy solutions.
8) City of Waterloo Official Plan Update - The City of Waterloo has announced the formal public meeting to be held on December 2nd for its Official Plan update. The draft plan will be available starting on Monday, November 11th on the Engage Waterloo website:
https://www.engagewr.ca/waterloo-official-plan
A PDF attached below provides more details on what to expect in the weeks ahead and how to register to delegate on December 2nd.
These Official Plans are our blueprint for the future and it is so important that we speak up for the future that we want to see. The City of Waterloo Official Plans have been excellent and could be the model for many communities across Canada.
Action Required - Please review this progressive Official Plan and then write and delegate to ensure it receives the needed public support for its focus on sustainability, housing, vibrant communities, and environmental protection.
9) City of Kitchener Official Plan Review - The City of Kitchener’s Official Plan Review continues as well with a new Speakers Series. The first panel discussion will be on “Ability and Mobility - What Does It Mean To Build A Caring And Connected City” on Tuesday November 19th from 6pm to 8pm at the Kitchener Public Library. Register online at:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/speakers-series-ability-and-mobility-tickets-1059007202049?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
There are also other opportunities to participate in the Kitchener 2051 Plan through online surveys and activities but the deadline of November 22nd is rapidly approaching. Learn more at Engage Kitchener:
https://www.engagewr.ca/kitchener2051
Action Required - Learn more about the Kitchener Official Plan and then speak up to ensure the best possible plan for the future. While there are some positive ambitions being proposed by Kitchener, there are also troubling plans for significant urban sprawl destroying sensitive environmental and groundwater aquifer areas.
10) Federal Government Introduces Long-Awaited Emissions Cap - This past week federal Environment Minister Steven Guibeault unveiled draft regulations to cap oil and gas emissions, requiring fossil fuel companies to limit pollution that they have so far refused to do voluntarily. Learn more at:
CBC Video: Canada Can Increase Oil And Gas Production As It Caps Emissions:
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6555509#
The draft regulations can be found here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2024/11/canada-releases-draft-regulations-to-cap-pollution-drive-innovation-and-create-jobs-in-the-oil-and-gas-industry.html
11) Recent Articles - Includes Canada’s housing crisis and Conservative MP’s advocating for funding from a housing program their leader vows to cut:
The Tyee - Canada’s Housing Crisis Is A Feature, Not A Bug:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/doug-ford-says-only-12-of-torontonians-commute-by-bike-thats-not-true-9743715
CBC - At Least 17 Conservative MPs Advocated For Money From A Housing Program Poilievre Vows To Cut:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/poilievre-housing-accelerator-conservative-mp-1.7374419
The Trillium - 20 More Ontario Place Options Revealed Via Complete List Of 2019 Bidders:
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/20-more-ontario-place-options-revealed-via-complete-list-of-2019-bidders-9756951
12) Waterloo Region Climate Collaborative (WRCC) - The Waterloo Region Climate Collaborative is a coalition of local groups in Waterloo Region striving to support each other in taking collective action on climate change and towards a more sustainable future. You can read more about the collaborative at their webssite and sign up for the monthly newsletter. Also, check out the events page and group directory. The next meeting is happening on Thursday, November 14th in person at Wilfrid Laurier University at 7pm and is focussing on community collaboration for the next elections.
https://wrclimatecollaborative.ca/
When: Thursday, November 14th from 7pm to 9pm
Where: Wilfrid Laurier University, Dr. Alvin Woods Building, Room 2-104
Parking passes available via e-mail from: alatta at wlu.ca <mailto:alatta at wlu.ca>
Action Required: Please attend this meeting and see how you and your organization can boost synergies and results in upcoming federal and provincial elections.
13) Other Articles - Includes countering the increasing climate denial in Canadians politics, the future pressure to export water, the youth lead court case against Ontario’s climate plans (or lack of), the climate fight under Trump, cancelled local lecture and a TikTok ban:
Canada’s National Observer - Cap The Crap - The Alarming Rise In Climate Denial In Canadian Politics:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/11/05/opinion/cap-crap-climate-denial-canadian-politics
The Tyee - Pressure On Canada To Export Water Will Be Immense:
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2024/11/04/Pressure-Canada-Export-Water-Immense/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial
A global water crisis will leave half of the world’s food production at risk in the next 25 years….
The Narwhal - Four Things To Know About A Youth Led Court Case Against Ontario;s Climate Plans:
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-youth-climate-court-case/
HEATED - 1.5C Is Dead With Trump’s Re-Election. The Climate Fight Isn’t:
https://heated.world/p/15c-is-dead-the-climate-fight-isnt
The Record - Perimeter’s Hawking Chair [Katie Mack] Cancels Speaking Event After Security Concerns:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/perimeters-hawking-chair-cancels-waterloo-speaking-event-after-security-concerns/article_7f35ee11-71fd-5810-90ca-30caf8d59333.html
CBC News - Trudeau Government Bans TikTok From Operating In Canada:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tiktok-canada-review-1.7375965
14) Southwestern Ontario Science Centre - Despite the demise and destruction of the Ontario Science Centre there is another fascinating proposal for a new local Science Centre underway in Puslinch:
The Record - A New $52 Million Science Centre In Ontairo? Here’s What To Know:
https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/a-new-52-million-science-centre-in-ontario-heres-what-to-know/article_bce53fcb-3647-58e7-b0d8-90785a6d1bd7.html
15) Help Endorse ALO Report - The Alliance for a Liveable Ontario is seeking additional groups to endorse its report on Five Ways To Make Homes Affordable In Ontario. Please contact Franz Hartmann at info at liveableontario.ca <mailto:info at liveableontario.ca> for more information and to help endorse this report to Ontario political party leaders that will be released in late November.
16) Climate Emergency Vigil This Friday! - This Friday, November 8th, Faith Climate Justice Waterloo Region will be hosting a public climate emergency vigil in Waterloo Public Square, free for all to attend. These vigils build on the power of the 16 vigils hosted last fall, and are designed to create sacred spaces to process complex climate emotions together, to reflect, and to share opportunities for action leading up to the Conference of the Parties climate talks, COP29 happening in November. Spread the word and we hope you will join us. For more information see the poster attached below or visit:
https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/clim <https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/climate-vigils.html>ate-vigils.html <https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/climate-vigils.html>
17) Waterloo Region Community Energy (WRCE) Progress Report Event - Join folks from WRCE at the Walper Hotel to learn the latest on strategic energy plans, High Performance (Green) Development Standards, and district energy on Thursday, November 21st at 4pm. Details are as follows:
When: Thursday, November 21st at 2:30pm
Where: Walper Hotel, Downtown Kitchener
Register - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/wr-community-energys-2024-progress-report-tickets-1047169912397
18) Climate Action Guide For Urban Planners - Kudos to the leaders at C40, who run some of the most progressive cities in the world who have put together an amazing guide for urban planners on climate action. Check it out at:
https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/Climate-action-guide-for-urban-planners <https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/Climate-action-guide-for-urban-planners?language=en_US>
19) Some Good News - Major Canada-Wide Nature Conservation Milestone Reached - More than $1.5 billion has been invested in private land conservation across Canada to protect more than 2 million acres of wetlands, forests, grasslands, and shorelines:
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/17/2964682/0/en/Major-Canada-wide-nature-conservation-milestone-reached.html
Lets continue to see if we can reach 30% of land and water in Canada protected by 2030.
20) Reminder - Next Meeting - Join us next Friday, November 15th 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 - Get out and get involved! And keep us posted on your events so we can share them:
Friday, November 8th - 8pm - Climate Emergency Vigils - Waterloo Town Square - https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/climate-vigils.html
Thursday, November 14th - 7pm - Waterloo Climate Collaborative Election Collaboration Meeting - https://wrclimatecollaborative.ca/
Thursday, November 14th - 8pm - ClimateAction WR and Project Neutral Webinar - https://climateactionwr.ca/project-neutral-workshops/
Friday, November 15th at 5:30pm - Next group update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
Tuesday, November 19th at 7pm - Environmental Defence Highway 413 Webinar - https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/160526/petition/1
Tuesday, November 19th at 7pm - Kitchener 2051 Speakers Series - Kitchener Public Library - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/speakers-series-ability-and-mobility-tickets-1059007202049
Wednesday, November 20th - 6:30pm - Rally/Protest at Waterloo Regional Council Meeting - www.fightforfarmland.com <http://www.fightforfarmland.com/>
Thursday, November 21st - 2:30pm - Waterloo Region Community Energy (WRCE) Progress Update - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/powering-the-energy-transition-wr-community-energys-2024-progress-report-tickets-1047169912397
Friday, November 22nd - Deadline to respond to Kitchener 2051 Official Plan Online Survey and Activities - https://www.engagewr.ca/kitchener2051
Friday, November 22nd - Bill 212 Day Of Action by Environmental Defence - more details coming soon
Monday, December 2nd - City of Waterloo Official Plan Public Meeting - https://www.engagewr.ca/waterloo-official-plan
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B) Bill 212 - Removing Bike Lanes and Forcing Highway #413 Act:
https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-9265

Speak up and let the government know your concerns:
https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-9265
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C) Climate Emergency Vigils every Friday, 8-9pm - October 4th to November 29th
https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/climate-vigils.html

https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/climate-vigils.html
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D) Highway #413 Webinar - Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 - 7pm
https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/160526/petition/1

https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/160526/petition/1
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E) City of Waterloo Official Plan Update Notice of Public Meeting - December 2nd, 2024

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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> 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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