[All] Taxpayer Funded EDC Campaign Targets Fight For Farmland, RCMP Greenbelt Investigation Update, Wilmot Township Continues To Impede Schneider's Land Donation, And More!

Fri Oct 11 12:54:36 EDT 2024

Good Day,

Tony LaMantia and the Waterloo Economic Development Corporation use taxpayer dollars to fund a campaign targeting Fight For Farmland, the RCMP continues to investigate the Greenbelt scandal, Wilmot Councillors vote against their own Staff Report about on-road parking for the Schneider’s Lands so there will be no access to hiking and skiing trails this winter from anywhere in Wilmot Township.  Here’s the latest on all this and more:

1) Waterloo EDC Targets Fight For Farmland In New Online Campaign - It seems that Tony LaMantia, CEO of the Waterloo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) doesn’t like the Fight For Farmland group calling out the lack of transparency, absence of any studies or reports, poor planning, and lack of any public meetings regarding the proposed Wilmot mega-industrial land assembly.  

We learned back in early September that Waterloo EDC, the Region of Waterloo, and the four rural townships of Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich, and North Dumfries were launching a Rural Investment Readiness Strategy to guide growth and development of employment areas over the next 30 years in our rural townships.  Several leading consulting firms have been hired to study employment land needs, economic development, and long-range master planning for municipal services.  One would have thought that this sort of planning would have been done in advance of the Wilmot mega-site assembly efforts not after the fact.

A Community Engagement meeting was planned for October 1st for the study, yet amazingly no farmers, no agricultural organizations, nor any community groups were invited to the meeting to plan our rural municipalities over the coming decades.  Several Fight For Farmland members did attend the event though and raised considerable concerns about the lack of agriculture, farming, and sustainability in this Rural Investment Readiness planning process underway and contrasted this detailed planning exercise to the complete lack of any proper planning process, studies, and public meetings for the Wilmot industrial mega-site land assembly.

It seems that our presence and raising so many major issues at the meeting has caused the CEO of the Waterloo EDC to draft an article trying to justify the proposed Wilmot Land Assembly and the brutal lack of process and information to date.  Unfortunately, the article is full of inaccurate, incorrect, and misleading information and omits many key issues and concerns.  Worse yet, the Waterloo EDC is now running online advertisements using taxpayer dollars to promote the article and further the attack on Fight For Farmland while also directing people to a further article on Three Reasons Why The Wilmot Land Assembly Must Proceed.

	Here’s the concerning EDC Article written by Tony LaMantia:

	The Record - Why Wilmot Matters To Ontario’s Manufacturing Future:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/why-wilmot-matters-to-ontario-s-manufacturing-future/article_66c19b85-27af-5a89-9443-c05ca7ec24af.html

The Fight For Farmland group is determined to ensure proper planning processes, clear factual information, transparency, public engagement, and detailed studies/research/financial costing - all things that are missing to date - for this proposed Wilmot mega-industrial site land assembly rather than opinions and misleading attempts at justification from an upset CEO.  The Fight For Farmland group has issued a Formal Response that can be found at the link below:

	Fight For Farmland Response To Waterloo EDC:
	https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65fca845277db5669ac677f7/t/6707381ea6a1cb7490c364f3/1728526367067/Fight+For+Farmland+Response+to+Tony+LaMantia+a+Letter.pdf

Attached below in Appendix B) is an overview of the Rural Investment Readiness Strategy Study currently underway, Appendix C) is an example of the online ads running using taxpayer dollars to target our community group efforts and Appendix D) contains a detailed factual response stating why the Three Reasons Why The Wilmot Land Assembly Must Proceed are incorrect.

Already Letters To The Editor both in support and against the Fight For Farmland are appearing in local papers:

	Letters To The Editor Both In Support and Against Fight For Farmland:
	https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/oct-10-two-views-on-the-wilmot-land-assembly-poverty-in-ontario-could-be-greatly/article_c69f37c2-8bdd-58bb-911f-d96d809ebd53.html

Action Required - We need to push back against misinformation and call for transparent, proper planning processes to ensure this mega-industrial site is located where there are far fewer negative impacts.  Keep writing, speaking up to elected officials, and demanding better.

2) Fight For Farmland Receives International Television Coverage And Additional Media Coverage - It was fantastic to learn that the Wilmot Land Assembly was featured as one of the top stories this past week on RFD TV reaching 52 million farms globally and Sirius XM Rural Radio reaching a further 33 million listeners.  Check out this international perspective on the Fight For Farmland at:

	RFD TV - Canadian Producers Are Fighting To Keep Land From Being Industrialized:
	https://www.rfdtv.com/farmers-worst-nightmare-canadian-producers-are-fighting-to-keep-land-from-being-industrialized

There was also continuing local media coverage on the NDP request to the Auditor General for an investigation, great front page coverage in the Woolwich Observer, as well as NDP Leader Marit Stiles raising the need for an Auditor General investigation into the Wilmot Land Assembly fiasco on social media that has received over 2,000 likes, 700+ reposts, and 110 comments:

	The Record - Waterloo MPP Presses For Audit Of Wilmot Land Assembly:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-mpp-presses-for-audit-of-wilmot-land-assembly/article_f6e5dba1-c636-5396-b6ec-11d9c207c7fc.html

	The Woolwich Observer - Critics Challenge Region’s Rationale For Wilmot Land Assembly Bid:
	https://www.observerxtra.com/this-week-in-print/

	TwitterX - Marit Stiles - Lies. Lies. And More Lies:  We Won’t Let The Premier Get Away With It:
	https://x.com/MaritStiles/status/1842280725308915891

And the agricultural press continues to give considerable coverage to the Fight For Farmland following the Premier’s comments at the International Plowing Match last week blaming the Region for everything and feigning that he doesn’t understand all the secrecy when it has actually been the province requiring a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement muzzling all local elected officials and staff:

	Farms.com - Premier Ford Calls Out The Region Of Waterloo For Mishandling The Wilmot Land Acquistion:
	https://m.farms.com/news/premier-doug-ford-calls-out-the-region-of-waterloo-for-mishandling-the-wilmot-land-acquisition-217397.aspx

As well as additional great coverage from our GREN’s Susan Koswan and community leader Martinus DeGroot:

	Susan Koswan - The Record - Where’s Your Food Coming From?:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/where-s-your-food-coming-from/article_3a14b9e4-3465-5430-b586-c75150646a71.html

	Promenade Radio Magazine - Monday, October 7th - Steve Todd Interview & Sings 770 Acres:
	https://marinus.substack.com/p/october-7-2024-promenade-community

Finally, here’s a fantastic 3 minute speech from the Huron County Fair Ambassador at the International Plowing Match on the Wilmot Land Assembly and the staggering amount of daily farmland loss:

	https://www.facebook.com/share/v/DW79uAuZ3JUAiv5p/?mibextid=KsPBc6

Action Required - We need to keep writing and calling MPP Mike Harris Jr, Cabinet Ministers, and the Premier to reinforce we are an UNWILLING community who knows that the province is leading this land assembly effort despite their attempts to foist the blame on others.

3) Yet Again A Cabinet Minister Blames Waterloo Region Despite The Province Making Most Wilmot Land Assembly Decisions - While the Legislature will not resume until October 21st, some Standing Committees are still meeting.  On Tuesday afternoon there was a heated exchange between NDP Agriculture Critic John Vanthof and Minister of Agriculture Rob Flack in a Committee Meeting regarding the lack of any Agricultural Impact Assessments being done for the Wilmot Land Assembly.  

Once again it is good to see the provincial government being called out for the lack of proper planning process required by law for all other development.  Yet, again the Region of Waterloo was blamed by the Minister of Agriculture who claimed that the whole process is run by the Region of Waterloo, that the province never approved expropriation from the beginning, that the province was never consulted on expropriation, and that the province is not putting the land assembly together.

It’s great to see this ongoing questioning by the opposition MPPs and it is fascinating to see the provincial government continuing to distance themselves from from the Wilmot Land Assembly, despite the fact that as MPP Vanthof points out - the highest level of government that is funding everything, is actually in charge and in control of everything.

Check out the video of the heated questioning:  https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z9L-GN5WIWU

4) Princess Film Festival Night - Laurier Wellbeing in Film Forum (LWIFF) - Save the date of Monday October 28th and plan to attend a special Fight For Farmland movie night at the Princess Cinema in Uptown Waterloo as part of the LWIFF Film Forum.  More details will be available soon in future updates and on Instagram at:

	https://www.instagram.com/00lwiff/

5) Wilmot Councillors Once Again Impede Schneider’s Land Donation - In a confounding decision this past Monday night, Wilmot Councillors voted against their own Wilmot Staff Report recommendation to facilitate on-road parking for the Schneider’s Lands along part of Carmel-Koch Road.  Instead of approving the expenditure of $30,000 to $50,000 to improve the road shoulder for parking and install curbs on a nearby intersection, Councillors demanded that the rare Charitable Reserve be requested to pay for these upgrades to Wilmot Township roads and deferred any further action until the budget planning process in 2025 - meaning that there will be no access to hiking and skiing trails this winter from anywhere in Wilmot Township as Wilmot Council recently made parking illegal on all Wilmot Roads in the area.  

It is very troubling to Wilmot Township elected officials continuing to impede, frustrate, and seemingly do everything that they can to block the success of this amazing donation to the community and absurd to think that a non-profit environmental charity is going to have to hold fundraisers to pay for upgrades to Wilmot intersections and roads on township property - particularly when Councillor Kris Wilkinson stated after the meeting that the Township has know about intersection deficiencies and the need for improvements for years.  It’s very unfortunate that Wilmot Township has done nothing to help facilitate one of the largest donations ever in our community as the Schneider family donates hundreds of acres of their environmentally sensitive lands for people to enjoy in perpetuity under the stewardship of rare.

Thank goodness for the common sense approach of the City of Waterloo whose Mayor and Council has done everything possible to try to facilitate this incredible community donation and will continue to allow parking along Wideman Road and roads in the nearby City of Waterloo for trail access.

The rejected Wilmot Staff Report recommending the common sense solutions and the parking access so many in the community have been advocating for is attached below in Appendix E) or can be found at:

	https://pub-wilmot.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=ceeefaf3-f4e1-41dc-bd56-bc2b0ebc22cc&Agenda=Merged&lang=English

Watch the unbelievable Wilmot Council Meeting and deliberations to go against Staff and defer further actions until next year starting at the 2:06:00 mark:

	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOs37LdbqYY&t=195s

Action Required - Write and call Wilmot Councillors (contact information in Appendix J below) to express concerns about their continued troubling approach to the Schneider’s Lands donation and call for better outcomes in our community.

6) Greenbelt RCMP Investigation 1 Year Anniversary - It’s been a year now since it was announced that the RCMP would be conducting a criminal investigation into the Ontario Greenbelt Scandal.  At least 8 current and former top aides to the Premier have been interviewed with the pressing question of “Where did the direction come from to remove lands from the Greenbelt?” being asked of all of them.  The Conservative Party of Ontario is bracing for a million dollar+ legal bill as they are providing legal counsel to many of those being interviewed.

Learn more in yesterday’s Toronto Star detailed coverage of the investigation to date:

	The Toronto Star - Here’s Who RCMP’s Greenbelt Investigators Are Interviewing And The One Question They’re Asking Everyone:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/heres-who-rcmps-greenbelt-investigators-are-interviewing-and-the-one-question-theyre-asking-everyone/article_ca253e66-826b-11ef-9a9c-03229f619fd1.html

7) Ontario Place West Island Destroyed - Despite considerable efforts to save the mature forest of more than 850 trees that have had more than 190 different bird species documented in it, in the middle of the night this past week, the Ford government started cutting down the forest and within 72 hours it was completely destroyed.  The fact that they started the work in the darkness of night speaks volumes about the provincial government approach to building this massive Spa that will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

	TwitterX post - Ontario Place for All: Ontario Place Devastation - Photos of West Island taken Oct 7 2024:
	https://x.com/ONPlace4All/status/1843339030760698119

	Canadian Architect - Amid 865 trees coming down, Province releases 95 year lease with Therme:
	‘To receive $2.8-4.2 million per year in rent and park maintenance, the Province has committed to spending over half a billion in public dollars now.’
	https://www.canadianarchitect.com/amid-837-trees-coming-down-province-releases-95-year-lease-with-therme/

	Toronto Star - Doug Ford's government plan to move Ontario Place sewer away from megaspa’s planned beach - and into rowing and swimming area - has locals fuming:
	https://www.thestar.com/news/doug-ford-government-s-plan-to-move-ontario-place-sewer-away-from-megaspa-s-planned/article_a4a1140e-8599-11ef-9c30-2ba8ca6ec9fe.html

Action Required - Continue to speak out to the provincial government and demand a better plan for Ontario Place.  

8) Region of Waterloo Water Supply Strategy Update - In a timely coincidence with the Wilmot Land Assembly, it appears that the Region of Waterloo has launched its Water Supply Strategy Update to seek enough water sources through 2051.  The project will identify short-term and long-term recommendations for drinking water supply.  It will be important for citizens to have a strong voice and role if we want to ensure a sustainable future and avoid a very expensive and troubling pipeline to Lake Erie.

Learn more and register for updates at:  https://www.engagewr.ca/watersupply

Here’s a great article by Luisa D’Amato on the importance of water and the this Water Strategy Update to our future:

	The Record - Waterloo Region Is Supposed To Grow To A Million People By 2051.  Will We Have Enough Water?
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/waterloo-region-is-supposed-to-grow-to-a-million-people-by-2051-will-we-have/article_964ef01c-3940-5c46-a203-2e6d574e9fa0.html

9) Recent Articles - This week includes a report on more failings of the Ford government that only 12% of MZO projects have been completed despite their supposed purpose of speeding up construction, Doug Ford's absurd Highway #401 tunnel proposal, Calgary increasing housing while Ontario housing starts continue to plummet, and how Waterloo’s condo’s have become too small to address the housing crisis:

	The Trillium - Only 12% of MZO Projects Completed - 1 In 3 Minister Issued MZO’s Were Cancelled Following Scrutiny:
	https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/housing/only-12-of-mzo-projects-completed-post-greenbelt-review-found-9616307

	The Record - Doug Ford’s Highway Tunnel Will Not Improve Transport Or Housing:
	https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/doug-ford-s-highway-tunnel-will-not-improve-transport-or-housing/article_db89ff60-ceb0-59b8-b51d-fda91699a122.html

	The Record - To See Housing Done Right, Look West - Calgary Increases Home Production By 13% While Ontario Plummets:
	https://www.therecord.com/business/real-estate/to-see-housing-done-right-look-west/article_5d17975d-2e55-5a76-b7ee-bce50a0effc7.html

	The Record - Waterloo Region Condos Got Too Small To Help Solve The Housing Crisis:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-region-condos-got-too-small-to-help-solve-the-housing-crisis/article_86db1a0a-bf09-5dbf-bc66-838dbeaea6ef.html

10) MP Mike Morrice Petition For Better Rail Transit - Kitchener MP Mike Morrice has a federal House Of Commons Petition to advocate for better rail transit to Waterloo Region - in-particular two way, all day GO Train service.  Sign it online and show your support at:

	https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-5163

11) High Speed Rail - But Grand River Watershed And Southern Ontario Left Out? - It’s fantastic to see a federal initiative to implement High Speed Rail on the Ontario-Quebec corridor moving forward with three final bidding consortiums, however it is alarming to see that all proposals end at Toronto with no service to anywhere in Southern Ontario including Waterloo Region, Guelph, London or elsewhere.

	Toronto To Montreal In 3 Hours?  Canada Might Finally Be Ready To Build A High Speed Rail Line:
	https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/toronto-to-montreal-in-3-hours-canada-might-be-finally-ready-to-build-a-high/article_2e90794c-818b-11ef-a8ae-ff90b4e20a53.html

Action Required - Speak up to federal MP’s to ensure that we get much needed high speed rail in the years ahead.

12) Provincial Boondoogles - a) Health Ministry Didn’t Add A Single Document To Lobbyist Tracking System In 6 Months - Read about how the Minister of Health’s Office didn’t add a single entry to a lobbyist tracking system in more than six months:

	The Trillium - Health Minister’s Office Didn’t Add Lobbyists To Tracking System Created After Greenbelt Scandal:
	https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/health-ministers-office-didnt-add-one-lobbyists-submission-to-greenbelt-prompted-tracking-system-in-6-months-9625105

	b) Doug Ford Adds New Parliamentary Assistants - The Premier promoted disgraced MPP Steve Clark to be Parliamentary Assistant to Premier Ford and MPP Tyler Allsopp to PA as well with $16,000 salary increases for both:

	Colin D’Mello - Global News - TwitterX:
	https://x.com/ColinDMello/status/1844541936864055778

13) New Home Sales Hit Record Lows - Housing sales continue to plummet reaching record lows and furthering our housing crisis:

	BILD Press Release - August 2024 New Home Sales In GTA Hit Historic Lows - Down 46% From August 2023:
	https://www.bildgta.ca/august-2024-new-home-sales-in-the-gta-hit-historic-lows-down-46-from-august-2023/

14) Land Trust Petition: e - 5145 (Environment) - Please sign this Federal petition to request support for conservation efforts of Land Trusts to help them in their work to care for natural spaces in perpetuity. Learn more at:

	https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-5145

15) Additional Articles - Include a great story about the health impacts of automobile centric urban design, EV tarffis, initial results from electric buses in Waterloo Region, climate, and plummeting wildlife populations: 

	The Toronto Star - Toronto Spent Decades Building A City For Cars - Here’s What It’s Done To Us:
	https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/toronto-spent-decades-building-a-city-for-cars-this-is-what-its-done-to-all/article_c5ae9a4a-8003-11ef-beb0-4735e825d2c3.html

	CBC - Chinese-made EVs Are Now Subject To A 100% Tariff.  What Does This Mean For Canadians?:
	https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/china-electric-vehicles-tariff-trade-canada-1.7338087?cmp=rss

	The Record - E-Buses Not Viable For GRT Fleet, Waterloo Region Council Told:
	https://www.therecord.com/news/council/e-buses-not-viable-for-grt-fleet-waterloo-region-council-told/article_a807f316-5a88-5680-b2a9-8e5e71af2178.html

	This concerning article is timely as Hurricane Milton, the second hurricane bears down on Florida in less than two weeks:
	Bioscience - The 2024 State Of The Climate Report: Perilous Times On Planet Earth:
	https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biae087/7808595?login=false

	The Trillium - ‘Contentious’: How Ontario Handles Politically Sensitive Requests For Government Information:
	https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/contentious-how-ontario-handles-politically-sensitive-requests-for-government-info-9643742

	Additional horrifying news: World Wildlife Federation - Living Planet Report 2024 
	Nature is Disappearing: The average size  of wildlife populations has fallen by a staggering 75%:
	https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-US/

16) CAPE - Tipping Points For Planetary Health Virtual Conference - The Canadian Association of Physicians For The Environment (CAPE) is holding a full day virtual seminar on building a healthy planetary future together on Saturday, October 26th.  Learn more and register at:

	https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=824-climate-emergency-tipping-points-for-planetary-health

17) Climate Emergency Vigil This Friday! - Tonight Friday, Oct 11th, 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>

18) Some Good News - Massive Solar Array To Power City Buses:  Once again developing countries including the amazing new female President in Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum is showing just what can be done for climate solutions with one of the largest urban solar roofs in the world:

	Bloomberg - Roofs Of Mexico City’s Massive Food Market Will Power City Buses:
	https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-03/mexico-city-public-buses-will-be-powered-by-food-market-solar-panels

19) Reminder - Next Meeting - Join us next Friday, October 18th 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, October 11th - 8pm - Climate Emergency Vigils - Waterloo Town Square - https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/climate-vigils.html

Friday, October 18th at 5:30pm - Next group update meeting on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Tuesday, October 22nd, 7pm - Reform Gravel - Gravel Rush Seminar - https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/gravel-rush-webinar

Wednesday, October 23rd, 6:30pm - Region of Waterloo Council Meeting - Support The Fight For Farmland 

Saturday, October 26th - All Day - CAPE Virtual Planetary Health Conference - https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=824-climate-emergency-tipping-points-for-planetary-health

Monday, October 28th, 6:30pm - Fight For Farmland/Laurier Film Festival Movie Night At Princess Cinemas - More Information Coming Soon

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B) Fight For Farmland - EDC Rural Investment Readiness Strategy Overview:

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C) Fight For Farmland - EDC Online Ads Promoting The Wilmot Land Assembly:

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D) Fight For Farmland - Response to EDC’s Three Reasons The Wilmot Land Assembly Has To Happen: 

Tony LaMantia, CEO of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation state the following three points in italics followed by responses correcting the misinformation:

Here are three reasons the Wilmot land assembly has to happen:

1) We’ve had the lowest industrial vacancy rate in Canada for years.  This is a big problem - we’ve missed out on billions in investment and thousands of jobs.

This is not true.  According to the Region of Waterloo’s own studies our industrial vacancy rate has averaged 2.6%, several times higher than most GTAH municipalities that average only a 0.6% industrial vacancy rate.  We currently have several million square feet of industrial and commercial buildings sitting vacant in Waterloo Region, and we have entire industrial parks such as Waterloo’s Generation Park and Wilmot’s Industrial Park that have yet to sell a single lot in decades despite being shovel-ready and on the market with hundreds of acres of industrial lands and room for dozens of major companies.

2) Wilmot is the best option, it’s flat, close to transportation routes, far from our water sources and represents just 0.35% of the Region’s farmland.  This isn’t a food scarcity issue.

Wilmot is not the best option and it appears that not only were no other sites considered but proper studies haven’t even been completed yet for this site that is contrary to our Regional Official Plan, the Wilmot Official Plan, and all previous Master Plans as well as in violation of the Countryside Line and other significant farmland protection regulations.  

The site is not flat as there is more than 6 storeys of elevation change from one end of the site to the other and it is directly adjacent to some of the hilliest parts of Waterloo Region - greatly complicating needed rail spur construction.  

The site is far from Highway #401 with no easy access to it, only a single highway reaches this distant site, and more than 80% of local municipal roads only being tar & chip are not suitable for large traffic volumes.  

It is actually directly adjacent to the primary groundwater recharge areas of the Waterloo Moraine, contains several creeks and streams, and parts of the proposed site are already within well-head protection areas without even taking into account the significant water/sewage needs of such a massive industrial development within a watershed that is already exceeding its assimilative capacity.  

While the farms to be destroyed may represent 0.35% of Waterloo Region’s farmland, this development will negatively impact and compromise agricultural operations for kilometres in every direction and this absurd location for such a massive industrial complex more than 25km distant from our urban centres of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge and where any sort of development has never even been contemplated will have negative implications on groundwater, area wells, local roads/traffic, noise, pollution, and numerous other negative impacts that will disrupt one of the most productive prime agricultural areas of Canada.  The negative impacts will be very costly and far-reaching.

We are already losing more than 319 acres of farmland every day in Ontario, the loss of such a vast tract of farmland in Wilmot - not only for this mega-industrial site but hundreds if not thousands of additional acres for accompanying developments is certainly not sustainable - particularly when our Regional Official Plan had a viable plan for more than 300,000 new residents and 170,000 new jobs with almost no farmland loss.   It seems that no climate change, sustainability, nor environmental considerations have been taken into account for this proposed mega-industrial site as it is so contrary and stands to override so many Regional and municipal efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and lower our environmental impact.  The use of already compromised greyfield, brownfield, and exhausted aggregate pits which abound throughout the Region doesn’t even seem to have been considered instead of the destruction of this prime agricultural land that comprises less than 1% of all land in Ontario.  

In an era of rapidly changing global climate, food scarcity is an issue that we all need to anticipate. - particularly in light of scientific predictions for the years ahead and the 40% of the world already facing food and water scarcity.

3) The business community is supportive.  We are hearing the loudest voices in opposition, but anyone who supports growth and prosperity in our community - especially business leaders - are for it.  I know because they tell me.

No one is against growth and prosperity in our community.  However, Agriculture and Food Processing is our #1 Industry in Waterloo Region, generating more revenues and providing more jobs than any other industry.  Our farms are amongst the most successful and profitable in all of Canada.  We shouldn’t be destroying our #1 economic driver, our countryside and our farmland in hopes that one day some new unknown industry might be convinced to come and set up shop here.  

It is this distant, confounding location with so little existing infrastructure, such significant costs to develop, and with so many negative impacts that seem to have been so poorly studied that is causing concern.  It is the lack of transparency, so many secret backroom meetings, the lack of any studies or research made publicly available (if they even exist), or even a single public meeting for what could be one of the largest developments in the history of Waterloo Region that is causing so much concern and causing tens of thousands of citizens to speak out in concern and opposition.

Lets build a mega-industrial site using proper transparent planning processes, that is congruent with our Regional Official Plan and all previous planning, that has proper plentiful public consultation and engagement, that our elected officials can actually talk about and not be muzzled, and that has full financial accounting and cost estimates so taxpayers clearly understand the costs and benefits.  

Lets ensure that it is sustainable and doesn’t come at the expense of other already successful industries, businesses, and communities.  Lets ensure that it can compete globally to attract world-leading companies - not this proposed Wilmot site that only meets 7 of the 44 criteria of Ontario’s own Job Site Selection criteria compared with other potential sites in Waterloo Region meeting 36 to 42 of the 44 criteria.  

We can’t have winners and losers in our community.  The widespread public opposition to this proposed site is clear by the thousands of lawn signs up throughout the Region and the tens of thousands of signatures against it.  We need a site that everyone in Waterloo Region supports - not just some of the business people who stand to profit the most from it.

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E) Wilmot Township Staff Report On Carmel-Koch Road Improvements and Schneider’s Lands/rare Charitable Reserve

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F) CAPE - Tipping Points For Planetary Health Virtual Conference - Saturday, October 26th - 

https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities/course?eventtemplate=824-climate-emergency-tipping-points-for-planetary-health

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G) 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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H) Region Of Waterloo Water Supply Update Flyer:

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I) 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
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 - 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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