<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class="">Good Day,</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">After a weekend of very successful rally's and good media coverage across the province here are the latest updates on Bill 23, the Greenbelt land swaps, and Regional Planning changes:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">1) Rally’s, Protests and Petition Signing -</b> It was fantastic to have such strong turnouts at events across the Grand River Watershed (Elora, Brantford, Cambridge, Kitchener, Elmira and Guelph) this past weekend. Despite often challenging weather conditions attendance was in the hundreds of people at several locations with lots of creative signs/messaging. Many petitions were also completed along with hundreds more lawn signs and leaflets distributed. With such unprecedented activities a strong message is being sent and awareness continues to grow. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">A rally is planned this weekend in Erin - this is right where the government plans to add lands to the Greenbelt that not even the Mayor of Erin can figure out or understand. More details to come about the time and location of this rally.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Handbill canvassing is also planned in Kitchener-Waterloo this weekend to help raise awareness and distribute more of the flyers that have been so well received so far.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Also people are encouraged to pack the Visitor’s Gallery at Queen’s Park on Thursday to send a strong message about Bill 39 and its very concerning minority rule provisions along with the destruction of the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (see flyer below for Queen’s Park details).</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class=""><br class=""></b></div><div class=""><div class=""><b class="">2) Recent Media Coverage - </b>There was fantastic coverage of almost all of the rally’s along with continuing articles on Bill 23, the Greenbelt, and Regional Planning changes:</div></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2a) Rally’s </b>- Guelph Today -Guelph Rally Says Protect Greenbelt - <a href="https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/guelph-rally-says-protect-the-greenbelt-6197931" class="">https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/guelph-rally-says-protect-the-greenbelt-6197931</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- The Toronto Star - <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/12/04/10-ontario-communities-hold-unprecedented-rallies-sunday-to-protect-the-greenbelt-from-bill-23.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="">Demonstrations in 10 Ontario communities urge end to Bill 23 | The Star</a> - <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/12/04/10-ontario-communities-hold-unprecedented-rallies-sunday-to-protect-the-greenbelt-from-bill-23.html" class="">https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/12/04/10-ontario-communities-hold-unprecedented-rallies-sunday-to-protect-the-greenbelt-from-bill-23.html</a></div><div class=""><div class="" style="padding-left: 40px;"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="padding-left: 40px;">- The Record - Ontario Greenbelt focus of local rallies - <a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2022/12/04/ontario-greenbelt-focus-of-cambridge-rally.html" class="">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2022/12/04/ontario-greenbelt-focus-of-cambridge-rally.html</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- CBC National - The World This Weekend - Dec 4th at 6:45 minutes into the broadcast - Ontario Greenbelt Protests - <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-68" style="color: blue;" class="">https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-68</a><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class=""><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- CTV News - video link and transcription of the story which first appeared Saturday evening Dec 3 - <a href="https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/we-want-hands-off-the-greenbelt-protestors-in-cambridge-rally-against-bill-23-1.6180026" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="">https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/we-want-hands-off-the-greenbelt-protestors-in-cambridge-rally-against-bill-23-1.6180026</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div></o:p></div></div><div class=""><b class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2b) Continuing Stories/Articles </b>- A powerful editorial in the Toronto Star on Monday: <a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2022/12/05/with-so-many-questions-ontarios-greenbelt-housing-plan-must-stop.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="">With so many questions, Ontario’s Greenbelt housing plan must stop | The Star</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div class=""><div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true" class="" style="padding-left: 40px;">The New Hamburg Independent - Seyitan Moritan - "It's Moving Ontario Back 30 Years!" - <a href="https://www.therecord.com/local-new-hamburg/news/2022/12/05/it-s-moving-ontario-back-30-years-former-planner-environmentalist-on-controversial-bill-s-impact-to-waterloo-region.html" class="">https://www.therecord.com/local-new-hamburg/news/2022/12/05/it-s-moving-ontario-back-30-years-former-planner-environmentalist-on-controversial-bill-s-impact-to-waterloo-region.html</a></div><div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true" class="" style="padding-left: 40px;"><br class=""></div><div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true" class="" style="padding-left: 40px;">Minister Steve Clark fired and ousted? - <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2022/12/05/doug-ford-will-be-haunted-by-these-5-questions-on-his-greenbelt-land-grab.html" class="">https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2022/12/05/doug-ford-will-be-haunted-by-these-5-questions-on-his-greenbelt-land-grab.html</a></div><div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true" class="" style="padding-left: 40px;"><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Bill 23 to Cost City of Waterloo $30 million - <a href="https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/bill-23-could-cost-waterloo-30m-over-next-five-years-6203142" class="">https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/bill-23-could-cost-waterloo-30m-over-next-five-years-6203142</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div></div><div class="" style="padding-left: 40px;"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="padding-left: 40px;"><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><b class="">3) Region of Waterloo Regional Official Plan, Wellington County, City of Toronto, Barrie, Durham, Peterborough, Belleville and Simcoe County Official Plans Posted to ERO </b>- the Region of Waterloo ROPA 6 along with Wellington County and others have just been posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario:</div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Region of Waterloo - <a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5952" class="">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5952</a></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>County of Wellington - <a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5635" class="">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5635</a></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class="">We need as many people as possible to submit supportive comments on our bold and visionary Regional Official Plan as well as these other Official Plans to encourage the provincial government to leave them intact and approve them with the exact wording and sustainability concepts that received such strong support from area municipalities. We have until January 4th at 11:59pm to submit comments.</div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class=""><br class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class=""><b class="">4) Alliance for a Liveable Ontario - ALO - </b>The Big Tent group of influential leaders across the province continues to build and mobilize. They have created the new organization the Alliance for a Liveable Ontario have have sent out the following urging us to join them:</o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class=""><br class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class=""><i class="">Collectively, we have power to stop Premier Ford's disastrous plans and get back to building liveable communities </i><b style="font-style: italic;" class="">-and we have Ontario on our side.</b><i class=""> In addition to a growing list of other actions, here are three actions to take right now -as part of this new alliance::</i><br class=""><ul class=""><li style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 15px;" class=""><b class="">Sign <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoybF_7r6qpPcC3LOaKkrPE59Rcto6DImfAywoaBcurZBpdQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" target="_blank" class="">this letter</a> to Premier Ford</b>. (<span style="font-style: normal;" class=""><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoybF_7r6qpPcC3LOaKkrPE59Rcto6DImfAywoaBcurZBpdQ/viewform" class="">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoybF_7r6qpPcC3LOaKkrPE59Rcto6DImfAywoaBcurZBpdQ/viewform</a>) </span>We plan to deliver it to him early in the New Year.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;" class=""><i style="font-weight: bold;" class="">Join </i><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHngEQ_HTlayZ-kbdOinbBWX4tdK8EvcUD0Oq0QOmreXveog/viewform?usp=sf_link" target="_blank" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" class="">the Alliance for a Liveable Ontario</a><i class=""><b class="">. </b>(<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHngEQ_HTlayZ-kbdOinbBWX4tdK8EvcUD0Oq0QOmreXveog/formResponse" class="">https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHngEQ_HTlayZ-kbdOinbBWX4tdK8EvcUD0Oq0QOmreXveog/formResponse</a>) </i><i class="">We’re creating a “big tent” for organizations and individuals who want to work towards building a livable Ontario.</i></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;" class=""><i style="font-weight: bold;" class="">Use </i><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUfYDpl5ThiCz1ObDwznJ68rZDp1feO5sL20PqrR19XRycqQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" target="_blank" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" class="">this form</a><i class=""> (<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUfYDpl5ThiCz1ObDwznJ68rZDp1feO5sL20PqrR19XRycqQ/viewform" class="">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUfYDpl5ThiCz1ObDwznJ68rZDp1feO5sL20PqrR19XRycqQ/viewform</a>) <b class="">to help us keep track of how Bill 23 is harming Ontario.</b></i><i class=""> Send us any intelligence on local government efforts related to Bill 23 (e.g. Municipal Council meeting resolutions, discussions of massive property tax increases, discussions of new infrastructure costs to enable sprawl etc., discussions of new developments to proceed without parkland, schools etc.)</i></li></ul><i class="">In the coming weeks, we will be developing a draft plan for how we can collectively work together to create livable communities, protected farmland and conservation lands, and real solutions to Ontario’s housing crisis.</i><br class=""><br class=""><i class="">Premier Ford and his developer friends have started a war against Ontario’s future. Now it’s our turn to start working together for a livable Ontario.</i><br class=""><br class=""><i class="">Sincerely,</i><div style="font-style: italic;" class=""><b class="">The Liveable Ontario Committee</b> (Anne Golden, Cherise Burda, Claire Malcolmson, David Crombie, Franz Hartmann, Ian Borsuk, Kevin Eby, Liz Benneian, Lynn Morrow, Margaret Prophet, Tim Gray, Victor Doyle)</div></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class=""><br class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class="">It’s fantastic to see this broad provincial initiative taking a long-term proactive stance. Please join at the links above and encourage others to join as well.</o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><o:p class=""><br class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0cm;" class=""><br class=""></div></div></div><div class=""><b class="">5) Bill 23 Analysis - </b>Legal firm Aird Berlis has provided an excellent, succinct, and simple synopsis of what is in force with Bill 23 now and what is still yet to come/be determined. It’s well worth reviewing:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.airdberlis.com/insights/publications/publication/more-homes-built-faster-act-2022-receives-royal-assent-a-quick-guide-to-what-s-in-force" class="">https://www.airdberlis.com/insights/publications/publication/more-homes-built-faster-act-2022-receives-royal-assent-a-quick-guide-to-what-s-in-force</a><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">6) Radio Ads -</b> Kudo’s to our radio team who has done a fantastic job of getting 5 different radio ads written, produced and recorded and on the air as of today on CHYM 96.7, 570 News, and other area stations. We hope to continue to buy airtime and add additional stations including campus and community radio stations in the days ahead. Recordings of each ad is attached below.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">7) Lawn Signs -</b> thousands of lawn signs have now been distributed and continue to be highly sought. Please contact any of the following sign captains for additional signs or information:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Guelph Downtown - Anne Moore - amoore083@gmail.com</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Guelph South - Al Dejong - albert1dejong@gmail.com</div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Centre Wellington</span> - Peter Varty - pjvarty@gmail.com</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Brantford - Joan Faux - mom2jnp@gmail.com</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Cambridge - Jenna Quinn - jenna.quinn@raresites.org</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Glen Morris - Jeff Leader - geosynergy@yahoo.com </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Kitchener - Cathy Scott - cathy.scottfree@gmail.com</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Waterloo - David Lubell - dlubell@bell.net</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Elmira - Sandra Bray - sandra@sandrabray.ca</div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Wilmot - Dorothy Wilson - ah_wilson@sympatico.ca</div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""> Wellesley - Linda Lackey - lindamclackey@gmail.com</div></div><div class=""><div class=""><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">8) Water Watchers Greenbelt Promise Call -</b> This coming Thursday, December 8th at 7:15pm the Water Watchers will be hosting a Zoom call to discuss Bill 39 and a Greenbelt Promise. We urge you to register to join the call at: https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/campaign_to_protect_the_greenbelt_next_steps</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Additional information is in the flyer attached below.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">9) Friday, Dec 9th 5:30pm Update Call -</b> Thanks to the dozens of people who joined our weekly Friday at 5:30pm update call. I’m back in Canada now and we are going to have another regular call again this coming Friday at 5:30pm to go over the latest news, events and information. Please join us at:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</div><div class=""><br class=""></div></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div id="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqtfd69568" class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqt1303954863">Thanks for all the great efforts so far. Please share any questions or ideas.</div></div><div id="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqtfd24641" class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqt1303954863"><div class=""><br clear="none" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-style-span">Cheers,</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class="">Kevin Thomason and Mike Marcolongo on behalf of all our community groups.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class="">-------------------------------</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><b class="">Upcoming Events</b></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><b class=""><br class=""></b></div><div class=""><font color="#26282a" class="">Thursday, December 8th - Pack the Visitor’s Gallery at Queen’s Park for the Bill 39 vote.</font></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><b class=""><br class=""></b></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class="">Thursday, December 8th - 7:15pm - Water Watchers Greenbelt Promise Call -<b class=""> </b><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/campaign_to_protect_the_greenbelt_next_steps</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><div class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000">Friday, December 9th - 5:30pm - Next group Zoom Update/Planning Meeting - <a shape="rect" href="https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09" class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</a></div><div class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000"><br clear="none" class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000"></div><div class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000"></div><div class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000">Friday, December 9th - 11:59pm - Deadline for submissions to the Environmental Registry of Ontario for numerous Bill 23, Planning Act and Heritage Act regulations - <a shape="rect" href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6216" class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6216</a></div></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class="">Saturday, December 10th - Rally in Erin, Ontario.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class="">Saturday, December 10th - Handbill canvassing/delivery planned for Kitchener-Waterloo (details to come).</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class="">Wednesday, January 4th - 11:59pm - Deadline for submissions to the Environmental Registry of Ontario for Region of Waterloo and Wellington County Official Plans:</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Region of Waterloo - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5952</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0cm;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>County of Wellington - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5635</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class="">-------------------------------</div></div></div></div></div><div class=""><b class="">Radio Ad Recordings:</b> Here’s the ads running across the Grand River Watershed:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""></div></div></body></html>