<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=windows-1252"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Below is a letter from Ontario's Minister of Environment and Climate Change responding to a letter that GREN was part of on the government reviews of Greenbelt, lands planning etc. <div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">John</div><div class=""><br class=""><div class="">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">------------------------------</div><div class="">John Jackson</div><div class="">17 Major Street</div><div class="">Kitchener N2H 4R1</div><div class="">519-744-7503</div><div class=""><br class=""></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">
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<div><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class="">Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">From: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">"Ontario Headwaters Institute" <<a href="mailto:andrew@ontarioheadwaters.ca" class="">andrew@ontarioheadwaters.ca</a>><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">Response to sign-on letter of Oct 19 </b><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Date: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">January 20, 2016 at 7:05:25 PM EST<br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">"'Paul Newall'" <<a href="mailto:paul.newall@rogers.com" class="">paul.newall@rogers.com</a>>, "'Sandy Agnew'" <<a href="mailto:sagnew@ecomedic.ca" class="">sagnew@ecomedic.ca</a>>, "Lilly Noble" <<a href="mailto:ramseylake@live.com" class="">ramseylake@live.com</a>>, "Robert Patrick" <<a href="mailto:patrick.rj@bell.net" class="">patrick.rj@bell.net</a>>, "'Greg Locke'" <<a href="mailto:greg.locke@icloud.com" class="">greg.locke@icloud.com</a>>, "'Annette Brown'" <<a href="mailto:info.crand@gmail.com" class="">info.crand@gmail.com</a>>, "Josh Garfinkel" <<a href="mailto:joshg@earthroots.org" class="">joshg@earthroots.org</a>>, <<a href="mailto:shirley.boxem@gmail.com" class="">shirley.boxem@gmail.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:michael.e.frind@gmail.com" class="">michael.e.frind@gmail.com</a>>, "John Jackson" <<a href="mailto:jjackson@web.ca" class="">jjackson@web.ca</a>>, <<a href="mailto:psblakewatch@rogers.com" class="">psblakewatch@rogers.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:s.buxton@rogers.com" class="">s.buxton@rogers.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:grethav@rogers.com" class="">grethav@rogers.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:jack@cleanairalliance.org" class="">jack@cleanairalliance.org</a>>, "'Ian McLaurin'" <<a href="mailto:ian@mclaurin.ca" class="">ian@mclaurin.ca</a>>, "'Suzanne Crellin'" <<a href="mailto:suzanne@heavyindustry.org" class="">suzanne@heavyindustry.org</a>>, "REDC" <<a href="mailto:info@peopleforcaledon.com" class="">info@peopleforcaledon.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:debbierawngordon@gmail.com" class="">debbierawngordon@gmail.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:paul@harpley.ca" class="">paul@harpley.ca</a>>, "'Mark Cranford'" <<a href="mailto:mark.cranford@rogers.com" class="">mark.cranford@rogers.com</a>>, "'E Haley'" <<a href="mailto:ehaley1@gmail.com" class="">ehaley1@gmail.com</a>>, <<a href="mailto:farlow8@netscape.net" class="">farlow8@netscape.net</a>>, <<a href="mailto:gloria@yrea.org" class="">gloria@yrea.org</a>><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Cc: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class="">"'Margaret Prophet'" <<a href="mailto:teljeur6@hotmail.com" class="">teljeur6@hotmail.com</a>>, "'Leigh Paulseth'" <<a href="mailto:Leigh@frw.ca" class="">Leigh@frw.ca</a>>, <<a href="mailto:kevinthomason@mac.com" class="">kevinthomason@mac.com</a>>, "Amber Ellis" <<a href="mailto:amber@earthroots.org" class="">amber@earthroots.org</a>><br class=""></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);" class=""><b class="">Reply-To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;" class=""><<a href="mailto:andrew@ontarioheadwaters.ca" class="">andrew@ontarioheadwaters.ca</a>><br class=""></span></div><br class=""><div class=""><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">I attach below a letter from Glenn Murray, MOECC, in response to the collaborative letter sent on October 19 that included your signatures.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">Should you like to refresh your memory about the content of the letter, it can be found at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://ontarioheadwaters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/OHI-to-Premier-Wynne-October-19.pdf" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">http://ontarioheadwaters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/OHI-to-Premier-Wynne-October-19.pdf</a>.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">Please note that the letter from Mr Murray also refers to the OHI submission of October 30, which was on the Province’s new approach on wetland Conservation, which of course was to MNRF and which your organization was not asked to support.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">The OHI is unable to explain how or why MOECC combined these two letters in its response but does not think it worthwhile to point this out to the Minister, nor that the ministry’s confusion in this regard will negatively impact any of your organizations.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">We will be considering the merits of a response from the OHI, and are open to any comments or suggestions from each of you, either for a letter or for other initiatives.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">On that front, we believe there is a need for more and not fewer collective efforts to push for a better balance between natural heritage and hydrologic integrity with Ontario’s continued industrial and land use development, and hope to make an announcement in that regard before the end of the month.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">My best wishes to you all,<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">Andrew<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">416 231 9484<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""> </span></div><div class=""><div style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-color: rgb(225, 225, 225); border-top-width: 1pt; padding: 3pt 0cm 0cm;" class=""><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><b class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Minister, MOECC (MOECC) [<a href="mailto:Minister.MOECC@ontario.ca" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">mailto:Minister.MOECC@ontario.ca</a>]<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><b class="">Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>January 19, 2016 12:08 PM<br class=""><b class="">To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:andrew@ontarioheadwaters.ca" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">andrew@ontarioheadwaters.ca</a><br class=""><b class="">Cc:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Premier of Ontario | Première ministre de l’Ontario <<a href="mailto:Premier@ontario.ca" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">Premier@ontario.ca</a>>; Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) <<a href="mailto:minister.omafra@ontario.ca" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">minister.omafra@ontario.ca</a>>; MIN Feedback (MNRF) <<a href="mailto:minister.mnrf@ontario.ca" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">minister.mnrf@ontario.ca</a>>; Minister (MAH) <<a href="mailto:minister.mah@ontario.ca" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">minister.mah@ontario.ca</a>>; Ministers, Mail (MOF) <<a href="mailto:Minister.fin@ontario.ca" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">Minister.fin@ontario.ca</a>><br class=""><b class="">Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>planning & wetland conservation<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">ENV1283MC-2015-2548<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Dear Mr. McCammon:<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Thank you for your correspondence of October 19 and 30, 2015 about the Coordinated Land Use Planning Review, its connections to the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i class="">Conservation Authorities Act</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>review and the development of a strategy for wetland conservation in Ontario.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Your comments on the implementation of an integrated system of natural heritage protection, watershed management and land use planning are also appreciated. Many of your comments relate to the mandates of other ministries, and I have copied my response to those Cabinet colleagues.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) are leading the current provincial Coordinated Review of the Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Growth Plan. As part of the review, the Minister of the MMAH also appointed an Advisory Panel, chaired by the Honourable David Crombie, to develop recommendations for the Ministers’ consideration. The Panel’s report was released in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="" class="">December 2015. To view the Panel’s recommendations, please visit the MMAH website at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page10882.aspx" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="" class="">http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page10882.aspx</span></a>.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">The province is considering the Advisory Panel’s recommendations and the extensive feedback received. The province will seek feedback on any proposed amendments to the four plans in early 2016. The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) is working closely with the MMAH and the MNRF to ensure that the plans continue to support the provincial interests in environmental protection. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">The MOECC recognizes the important interconnections between the Coordinated Provincial Plans review and ongoing provincial initiatives. In addition to the work the MOECC has been doing with the MMAH and the MNRF on the plans review, we are also engaged in the MNRF’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i class="">Conservation Authorities Act<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>review and the development of a proposed strategic plan for the conservation of Ontario wetlands.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">I appreciate your comments about the protection of hydrologic systems and committing to Integrated Watershed Management as a key implementation tool for current initiatives. The MOECC has a long history of encouraging integrated, ecosystem-based planning and environmental protection, which considers a range of interconnected matters from water quality and quantity protection to natural heritage protection and climate change. The MOECC has worked closely with the MMAH, the MNRF and other partner ministries to strengthen the requirements in the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), 2014 regarding the need to plan on a watershed basis for integrated long-term planning. Given the ‘shall be consistent with’ standard of the PPS, 2014, policy 2.2.1 a) provides strong direction to municipalities and other planning authorities which supports the use of watershed/sub-watershed plans as a basis for land use planning and natural heritage and environmental protection. The Coordinated Review Advisory Panel also provided recommendations to the government regarding watershed planning in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. These recommendations are being considered.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i class="">Great Lakes Protection Act</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>also emphasizes the MOECC’s commitment to use ecosystem-based planning to guide provincial initiatives. The Act allows the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, in collaboration with other Great Lakes Ministers, communities and stakeholders, to set targets for local and lake-wide areas which will help to manage the cumulative impacts of activities within the Great Lakes watershed. The Act also allows for “Geographically-focused initiatives” which could be used as a watershed-based<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="">tool to address priority issues in specific areas.</span><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> <o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">With respect to your comments about engaging stakeholders in monitoring and reporting,<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class=""><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the new<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i class="">Great Lakes Protection Act</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>will ensure that monitoring and reporting programs are established and maintained on key matters associated with Great Lakes ecosystem health. The Act also requires public progress reports on the Great Lakes to be released and tabled in the Legislature every three years. The progress reports will include results of monitoring programs, actions taken, and a description of new and emerging issues.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">I would also like to bring your attention to the ‘Open Government’ initiative which was launched in October 2013 in an effort to create a more open and transparent government. Under this initiative, the ‘Open Data’ portal was established as a publicly accessible Open Data Catalogue of over 400 data sets, 167 of which are related to environment and energy. The catalogue contains publicly accessible monitoring information and data sets on topics including, but not limited to, land use designations, ecological land classifications, wetlands, wooded areas, source protection areas, watersheds, and many, many more. The Open Data Directive and Catalogue was<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="" class="">extensively consulted on in 2015, and can be viewed on the website at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/sharing-government-data" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class=""><span style="" class="">https://www.ontario.ca/page/sharing-government-data</span></a>.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Finally, I appreciate your comments about the need for increased funding levels for the MOECC and the MNRF to deliver on important program areas and for improving and innovating the delivery of ministerial mandates. I have shared your letter with my colleague, the Honourable Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance, to make him aware of your broader views on funding. I also appreciate your suggestions regarding more innovative approaches for collaboration and entities worthy of funding support.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 13.5pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Again, we appreciate your comments on the Coordinated Review, its related initiatives, and the need for the province to work towards a more integrated approach to natural heritage protection, watershed management and land use planning. I understand my colleague, Minister McMeekin, has also replied to your correspondence.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">The MOECC recognizes the critical linkages between all of these important provincial initiatives and the necessary supporting resources, information and implementation tools. Our ministry continues to work collaboratively with our partner ministries to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to protecting Ontario’s air, land and water resources.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Thank you for bringing your concerns to the attention of our government, and please accept my best wishes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Sincerely,<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Glen Murray<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class="">Minister</span></div></div></div></blockquote></div><br class=""></div></body></html>