<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 dir="auto" 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="">We hope that your holidays are going well. It continues to be a busy time with lots happening locally and across the province:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">1) Official Plan ERO Comment Deadlines </b>- the absolute most important thing that we need to be doing over the holidays is to ensure as many positive comments are received by the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) on the bold and visionary Region of Waterloo Official Plan as well as other area plans such as the Wellington County Official Plan that is also up for review. We only have until 11:59pm on January 4th to urge the province to approve these plans as approved by local municipalities and without any changes by the Minister such as the massive amounts of sprawl Minister Clark has forced in Halton and Hamilton’s Official Plans:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div class="" style="margin: 0cm;"><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 class="" style="margin: 0cm;"><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><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">It’s an easy process to submit comments and please encourage others to submit comments as well. This is could be a situation where the quantity of submissions could be very important so let's do all that we can to ensure hundreds or thousands of comments.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">2) Other ERO Deadlines </b>- there are several other ERO deadlines even sooner (December 30th at 11:59pm) that you may wish to speak up about as well:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Overpass, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6161" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(78, 114, 59); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" class="">“Conserving Ontario’s Natural Heritage” – Proposed approach to offsetting development pressures on natural wildlife habitat (consultation closes Dec. 30)</a> - <a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6161" class="">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6161</a></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-2927" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="font-family: Overpass, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(78, 114, 59); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" class="">Proposed updates to the regulation of development for the protection of people and property from natural hazards in Ontario (consultation closes Dec. 30)</a><span style="font-family: Overpass, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif;" class=""> - </span><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-2927" style="font-family: Overpass, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif;" class="">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-2927</a></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Overpass, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/index.php/notice/019-6177" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(78, 114, 59); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" class="">Review of A Place to Grow and Provincial Policy Statement (consultation closes Dec. 30)</a> - <a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/index.php/notice/019-6177" class="">https://ero.ontario.ca/index.php/notice/019-6177</a></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Overpass, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/index.php/notice/019-6167" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(78, 114, 59); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" class="">Proposed Revocation of the Parkway Belt West Plan (consultation closes Dec. 30)</a> - <a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/index.php/notice/019-6167" class="">https://ero.ontario.ca/index.php/notice/019-6167</a></div></div></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">3) Another Provincial Announcement -</b> Unfortunately, on the last working day just before Christmas Eve the provincial government made another 11th hour announcement hoping that no one would notice - this time finalizing changes to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System that basically opens up almost every wetland in Southern Ontario to development and destruction:</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/12/24/fears-for-ontario-wetlands-as-province-finalizes-changes-to-evaluations-despite-thousands-of-letters-opposed.html" class="">https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/12/24/fears-for-ontario-wetlands-as-province-finalizes-changes-to-evaluations-despite-thousands-of-letters-opposed.html</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">4) Recent Media Articles -</b> well written and informative articles, editorials and op-ed pieces continue in the media. Please continue to write and help to inform others:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A wonderful humorous and seasonal letter: <a href="https://www.orilliamatters.com/letters-to-the-editor/letter-imagine-dickenss-ghosts-visiting-premier-ford-6290149" class="">https://www.orilliamatters.com/letters-to-the-editor/letter-imagine-dickenss-ghosts-visiting-premier-ford-6290149</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A national piece in the Globe & Mail questioning how the Ford government decided what lands to add to the Greenbelt:</div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-ontario-greenbelt-farmland-wetlands-floodplains/" class="">https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-ontario-greenbelt-farmland-wetlands-floodplains/</a></div></div><div dir="auto" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><br class=""></div><div dir="auto" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A great article by Brendon Samuels who joined our last call in the Hamilton Spectator:</div><div dir="auto" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2022/12/23/we-must-fight-the-ford-government-and-bill-23.html" class="">https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2022/12/23/we-must-fight-the-ford-government-and-bill-23.html</a></div><div dir="auto" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div dir="auto" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/greenbelt-oak-ridges-moraine-regulations-1.6692337" class="">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/greenbelt-oak-ridges-moraine-regulations-1.6692337</a></div><div dir="auto" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""></div></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/12/21/harmer-the-fight-over-the-indefensible-greenbelt-land-grab-is-not-over.html" class="">https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/12/21/harmer-the-fight-over-the-indefensible-greenbelt-land-grab-is-not-over.html</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/local-new-hamburg/news/2022/12/27/wilmot-township-residents-state-their-wishes-for-the-coming-year.html" class="">https://www.therecord.com/local-new-hamburg/news/2022/12/27/wilmot-township-residents-state-their-wishes-for-the-coming-year.html</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">5) Student and Youth Action -</b> the CBC had a good Metro Morning segment in Toronto recently about Jack Woolley a grade 12 student at Riverdale Collegiate School about a student walkout to protest the Greenbelt development plan. Listen to his interview here:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2151697987983" class="">https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2151697987983</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">We need to find ways to engage more youth in the Grand River Watershed. It would be fantastic to have a team focussed on youth and/or education. Please share any ideas or if you may be able to assist.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">6) Donations -</b> There are a number of ways to donate before the end of year to help maximize the impact that we can have. This includes:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Our Lawn Sign and Radio Ad Campaigns - <a href="https://smallchangefund.ca/project/protect-the-greenbelt-and-visionary-regional-planning-in-the-grand-river-watershed/" class="">https://smallchangefund.ca/project/protect-the-greenbelt-and-visionary-regional-planning-in-the-grand-river-watershed/</a></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- The Wellington Water Watchers - Greenbelt Promise - <a href="https://smallchangefund.ca/project/greenbelt-forever/" class="">https://smallchangefund.ca/project/greenbelt-forever/</a></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">7) Radio Team -</b> Our Radio team continues to air ads in the Grand River Watershed and will be recording an hour long radio show on Bill 23, the Greenbelt attacks, and the destruction to Regional Planning this coming Friday. Thanks to Henriette, Jeff, and Tanya who are working hard to inform listeners.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><b class="">8) Upcoming Rallies -</b> There are some upcoming rallies including special New Year’s Day Rallies in Toronto and Pickering:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><i style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">New Years Day Protection Gathering - Toronto</span></i></div><div class=""><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" class=""><i class=""><span style="color: rgb(29, 28, 29); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Let’s start the year off together in action! </span><span style="color: rgb(29, 28, 29); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">David Grey Eagle is inviting us to hold a Protection Gathering this coming Sunday – on New Year’s Day – at 12:00 p.m., in solidarity against Ford's many heinous acts. This event is being held at Taber Hill (525 Bellamy Rd N, just north of Lawrence). We hope this will be the first of many Protection Gatherings to come. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" class="">Even if you cannot attend, please share this invitation widely with your networks. Please consider this an action of our Truth and Reconciliation work as visitors on these lands: One voice, one message, one future.</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""> <br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b class="">9) Greenbelt Guardians </b><span class="">- for those interested in becoming more active and involved in protecting the Greenbelt in a firsthand manner as a Greenbelt Guardian there is a volunteer form you can fill out to learn more and offer assistance:</span></div><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class=""><br class=""></span></div><div class=""><span class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgAUNoxc1aD8wHiMtT7D5F95gS629lXap7V7QBve3rai15ig/viewform" class="">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgAUNoxc1aD8wHiMtT7D5F95gS629lXap7V7QBve3rai15ig/viewform</a></div><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b class=""><br class=""></b></div><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b class="">10) </b><b class="">No Meeting This Friday -</b> due to the festive holidays and need for a break we are going to also take this Friday, Dec 30th off and resume our next Friday, 5:30pm Update Meeting on Friday, January 6th -<span class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"> </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09" class="">https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</a></div><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><div class="">Thanks for all the great efforts so far. Please share any questions or ideas.</div><div class=""><div id="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqtfd24641" class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqt1303954863"><div class=""><br clear="none" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-style-span">Cheers,</span></div><div class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">Kevin Thomason and Mike Marcolongo on behalf of all our community groups.</div><div class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">-------------------------------</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><b class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><font size="4" class="">A) Upcoming Events</font></b></div><div class=""><div dir="auto" class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" class="" style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div class=""><div class=""><div id="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqtfd24641" class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqt1303954863"><div class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><b class=""><font size="4" class=""><br class=""></font></b></div><div class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);" class="">Sunday, January 1st - 12pm - Protection Gathering/Rally in Toronto:</span></div><div class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br class=""></div><div class="" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><b class=""></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>