<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Good Day,</div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br></div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">A reminder that tomorrow (Friday, October 27th) at 5:30pm is our regular bi-weekly Update Meeting on Zoom. Join us to discuss the latest breaking news on the Forced Urban Boundary Expansion reversals and further provincial government corruption discovered this week:</div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br></div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09">https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</a> </div><div><br></div></div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;">Here’s the latest news:</div></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">1) Forced Urban Boundary Expansion Reversals - </b>As reported earlier this week, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra made a fantastic surprise announcement reversing the 10 Forced Urban Boundary Expansions unilaterally ordered by his predecessor Minister Steve Clark. The provides us with the opportunity to see the Waterloo Regional Official Plan restored and approved intact as it was overwhelmingly approved in August 2022 by Regional Council. It also provides 9 other impacted municipalities such as Hamilton, Ottawa and Wellington County to see their Official Plans restored as well.</div><div><br></div><div><div>The pressure from developers and land speculators will be intense over the weeks ahead to get these local Official Plans changed to promote urban sprawl on the specific lands they own and we will need to continue to speak up loud and clear for the sustainable future that we want to see. </div><div><br></div><div>Please reach out to your local elected officials to express the need to see our Official Plans restored with any provincial meddling reversed and have the plans approved intact and unchanged from last year.</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div>Congratulations! This unprecedented provincial reversal is an incredible victory for our communities. We are planning a social event in November to celebrate these Official Plan reversals as well as the provincial Greenbelt reversals. Details will be available soon.</div><div><br></div><div>Here’s some of the media stories from earlier in the week:</div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Government To Scrap Municipal Boundary Changes After Greenbelt Scandal:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-government-to-scrap-municipal-boundary-changes-after-greenbelt-scandal/article_fcd6f9f8-b8a7-5787-b0f6-05064ebf9e8e.html">https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-government-to-scrap-municipal-boundary-changes-after-greenbelt-scandal/article_fcd6f9f8-b8a7-5787-b0f6-05064ebf9e8e.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Record - “Thanks A Lot For Wasting A Year Of Our Time”:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/thanks-a-lot-for-wasting-a-year-of-our-time-province-to-reverse-changes-it/article_bccd5b14-2d48-5abc-a6c3-dd5ef537579a.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/thanks-a-lot-for-wasting-a-year-of-our-time-province-to-reverse-changes-it/article_bccd5b14-2d48-5abc-a6c3-dd5ef537579a.h</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">2) Provincial Scandals Continue - </b>The troubles continued to increase this week for the beleaguered Ford government as the CBC broke astounding news about the Hamilton Forced Urban Boundary Expansions where the government copied word-for-word developer requests and forced them on the City despite Council previously rejecting the proposal. Even Minister Calandra hinted about more reversals and corrections to come. Also it seems that most of the Minister’s staff for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has been terminated by the new Minister:</div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - Ford Government Copied Developers Exact Request Into Hamilton Official Plan To Allow Controversial Building:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/official-plan-condo-building-1.7006380">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/official-plan-condo-building-1.7006380</a></div><div><br></div></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - Sources Say Doug Ford’s Housing Minister Scrambling To Clean Up Greenbelt Mess:</div><div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/sources-say-doug-ford-s-housing-minister-scrambling-to-clean-up-greenbelt-mess/article_1487c3fe-a429-5ab4-a918-df7345b51143.html">https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/sources-say-doug-ford-s-housing-minister-scrambling-to-clean-up-greenbelt-mess/article_1487c3fe-a429-5ab4-a918-df7345b51143.html</a></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"Housing Minister Paul Calandra cleaned house when he took over the Greenbelt scandal-plagued department, purging most of his predecessor’s staff to pave the way for major policy reversals.</span><font color="#333333">”</font></div></div><div><font color="#333333"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre;"> </span>“It’s going to be very bad.<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">”</span></font></div><div><font color="#333333"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>“Certain amendments to Hamilton’s Official Plan were written word-for-word by a well-connected developer and Conservative donor, Sergio Manchia - the very same Sergio Manchia, who received preferential treatment in the Greenbelt grab, the very same speculator who bought tickets to the now infamous Stag and Doe from the head of the Conservatives fundraising team."</font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">3) Local, Provincial and National Media Coverage -</b> Here's some of the other news articles from the past week as the Ford government refuses legal support to ex-staffers, the housing situation continues to worsen under this provincial government, and new details are learned about the sudden resignation last year of the Chair of the Greenbelt Council:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - Ford Government Says It Won’t Pay Legal Fees For Ex-Staffers Caught In Greenbelt Probe:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/ford-government-says-it-won-t-pay-legal-fees-for-ex-staffers-caught-in-greenbelt/article_c5a60cef-e0f1-5f15-97ed-b3eb6eab0595.html">https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/ford-government-says-it-won-t-pay-legal-fees-for-ex-staffers-caught-in-greenbelt/article_c5a60cef-e0f1-5f15-97ed-b3eb6eab0595.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Hamilton Spectator - No Ministry Rationale For Hamilton’s Maximum Urban Expansion: Court Documents:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/no-ministry-rationale-for-hamilton-s-maximum-urban-expansion-court-documents/article_9e4f4e04-9844-5a96-ad70-334d21956991.html">https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/no-ministry-rationale-for-hamilton-s-maximum-urban-expansion-court-documents/article_9e4f4e04-9844-5a96-ad70-334d21956991.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - Battered By The Greenbelt Scandal, Doug Ford Can Thank The NDP For Changing The Channel:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/battered-by-the-greenbelt-scandal-doug-ford-can-thank-the-ndp-for-changing-the-channel/article_bab9855b-5b6e-5ff2-9010-ecb680a2d9e8.html">https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/battered-by-the-greenbelt-scandal-doug-ford-can-thank-the-ndp-for-changing-the-channel/article_bab9855b-5b6e-5ff2-9010-ecb680a2d9e8.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - Crombie Intervenes In FourPlex Debate:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/bonnie-crombie-uses-strong-mayor-powers-to-push-fourplexes-for-mississauga/article_beaa6c7b-00e9-516e-9522-313ef53c1739.html">https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/bonnie-crombie-uses-strong-mayor-powers-to-push-fourplexes-for-mississauga/article_beaa6c7b-00e9-516e-9522-313ef53c1739.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CityNews - Report: Waterloo Region Housing Market Amongst The Worst In Ontario:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2023/10/20/report-waterloo-region-housing-market-amongst-the-worst-in-ontario/?">https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2023/10/20/report-waterloo-region-housing-market-amongst-the-worst-in-ontario/?</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Waterloo Region’s Housing Gap Is A Growing Catastrophe:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/vital-signs-waterloo-region-s-housing-gap-is-a-growing-catastrophe/article_368b315c-3725-5fde-8708-a34e90baada4.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/vital-signs-waterloo-region-s-housing-gap-is-a-growing-catastrophe/article_368b315c-3725-5fde-8708-a34e90baada4.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Luisa D’Amato - Out Affordable Housing Crisis Is Worse Than We Thought:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/our-affordable-housing-crisis-is-worse-than-we-thought/article_626c5a85-9e37-5764-9977-3646a5d02867.html">https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/our-affordable-housing-crisis-is-worse-than-we-thought/article_626c5a85-9e37-5764-9977-3646a5d02867.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Global News - How Land Connected To Ford-Friendly Union Was Removed From The Greenbelt:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/10019849/ford-friendly-union-greenbelt-land-removed/">https://globalnews.ca/news/10019849/ford-friendly-union-greenbelt-land-removed/</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Global News - Ontario To Review Municipalities Greenbelt Costs and Compensate Them:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/10043298/ontario-municipalities-greenbelt-costs-review/">https://globalnews.ca/news/10043298/ontario-municipalities-greenbelt-costs-review/</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - How The Doug Ford Government’s Greenbelt Bill Aims To Quash $120 Million Lawsuit:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-doug-ford-greenbelt-lawsuit-minotar-holdings-land-1.7002875">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-doug-ford-greenbelt-lawsuit-minotar-holdings-land-1.7002875</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - London Development Offers Hope Of A Sustainable Future:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/opinion/london-development-offers-hope-of-a-sustainable-future/article_0591748a-8a6e-57d8-8f9b-2fe3b42a49c0.html">https://www.therecord.com/opinion/london-development-offers-hope-of-a-sustainable-future/article_0591748a-8a6e-57d8-8f9b-2fe3b42a49c0.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Narwhal - Chair Of Greenbelt Council Quit Right After He Learned Of Ford’s Land Use Plans Last Year:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-greenbelt-council-resignation/">https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-greenbelt-council-resignation/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">4) Editorials and Insights -</b> Here’s a great editorial on the challenges of Doug Ford’s provincial government:</div></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star Editorial Board - Another Day, Another Policy Climbdown For Doug Ford’s Government:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/another-day-another-policy-climbdown-for-doug-ford-s-government/article_c8fa9168-b030-557b-9a11-721c5297f0a3.html">https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/another-day-another-policy-climbdown-for-doug-ford-s-government/article_c8fa9168-b030-557b-9a11-721c5297f0a3.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">5) Respond to ERO on Greenbelt Reversals - </b>The government has posted the Greenbelt reversal legislation to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO). We need to speak up and provide feedback to ensure that this legislation moves forward. There have been many suggestions on how to improve the governments proposed legislation such as expanding the Greenbelt and placing easements similar to the Duffins Rouge Agricultural lands on all Greenbelt lands to reduce speculation. Please submit your support and ideas online at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7739">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7739</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">6) Greenbelt Promise Webinar On ERO Submissions - </b>Join the team at Greenbelt Promise on Wednesday, November 1st at 7:00pm for a webinar on mobilizing Greenbelt submissions to the ERO. Register online at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe86FfAcm38KchJi2ArUy9t-NLFitXjI8O_rThl0nO-JsRTBQ/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe86FfAcm38KchJi2ArUy9t-NLFitXjI8O_rThl0nO-JsRTBQ/viewform</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">7) MMAH Ultimatum to Mayors - </b>We have now had more than 120 organizations and citizens sign onto the excellent response letter that Hal Jaeger co-ordinated to respond to MMAH Minister Paul Calandra’s ultimatum to Mayors, Reeves, and Wardens across Ontario. These municipal leaders had to respond personally and rank his checklist of Housing Affordability Task Force recommendations or face being prohibited from applying for the $1.2 billion Housing Accelerator Fund.</div><div><br></div><div><h4 style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">A collective of concerned citizens and community groups led by the Grand River Environmental Network has prepared a response to the Minister. Please review the </span><span style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193); text-decoration: underline;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14hsPYT1pVWr780l0T25jpcWlvepQqHQA/view" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">response</a> (</span></span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14hsPYT1pVWr780l0T25jpcWlvepQqHQA/view">https://drive.google.com/file/d/14hsPYT1pVWr780l0T25jpcWlvepQqHQA/view</a>)<span style="color: red;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">and, if you agree, please </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);"><a href="https://forms.gle/NHToW7dzceTgHfUt7" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">endorse the letter</a> (</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemT0RxO4i5coapsPjhNyVnkz9yLxCTfBIMyhMcnC-fG6r4xw/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemT0RxO4i5coapsPjhNyVnkz9yLxCTfBIMyhMcnC-fG6r4xw/viewform</a>) by 5pm, October 30, 2023 and pass it on to others who might be interested.</h4><div><br></div><div>Please endorse our response or use the letters attached below as templates for your own letters to MPPs, the Minister and government.</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div></div><div>In response to this excellent initiative and Hal’s outreach to the media The Record ran a great story this week:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Mayors Told to Weigh In On Development Or Face Penalties:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/mayors-told-to-weigh-in-on-development-or-face-penalties/article_a90b8ff5-ff8a-584f-b659-ecbcad85898d.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/mayors-told-to-weigh-in-on-development-or-face-penalties/article_a90b8ff5-ff8a-584f-b659-ecbcad85898d.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">8) ALO All Member Meeting - </b>Over 110 ALO members gathered online on October 19th for presentations by David Crombie, Tim Gray and Margaret Prophet and to discuss what’s next. A summary of the discussion and slides from the event can be found online at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.liveableontario.ca/alliance-resources/october-update-whats-next-for-alo">https://www.liveableontario.ca/alliance-resources/october-update-whats-next-for-alo</a></div><div><br></div></div><div><div><br></div><div><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">9) Ontario Nature Webinar - </span></b><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Wetland Conservation Resources For Community Advocates -</b></span> Join Dr. Anne Bell and others from Ontario Nature on November 8th at 7pm to learn about new resources developed to help citizens protect Ontario’s wetlands that are under tremendous threats as wetland protections are eliminated by the provincial government:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PFUAcZImT8S0QYOzughi5g#/registration">https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PFUAcZImT8S0QYOzughi5g#/registration</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>10) Ontario Farmland Trust Webinars -</b></span> Learn from about pressures on farmland, solutions and share ideas with a series of upcoming webinars including Balancing Farmland Protection and Housing Supply on Tuesday, October 31st at 12pm and Farmland Protection Options on Tuesday, November 14th at 12pm. Previous OFLT webinars have been excellent and well attended:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <a href="https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2023/10/10/winter-webinars-register-today/">https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2023/10/10/winter-webinars-register-today/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">11) CELA Waste, Stormwater Management and Water-Taking Exemption Webinar Follow-up -</b> The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is raising alarm about proposed changes by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to exempt waste management systems, stormwater management and water-taking from current licensing requirements. They are strongly urging the Ministry not to proceed with these proposals. CELA hosted a great webinar recently, watch it online at the link below. There is also an Action Alert with links for you to speak up and submit comments to the government by October 30th:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>CELA Oct 17th Webinar Recording:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <a href="https://cela.ca/webinar-environment-ministry-proposes-to-exempt-harmful-activities-from-licensing-requirements/">https://cela.ca/webinar-environment-ministry-proposes-to-exempt-harmful-activities-from-licensing-requirements/</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>CELA Action Alert:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://cela.ca/action-alert-environment-ministry-proposes-to-exempt-harmful-activities-from-licensing-requirements/">https://cela.ca/action-alert-environment-ministry-proposes-to-exempt-harmful-activities-from-licensing-requirements/</a></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>12) Engage Waterloo Region - 2023-2027 Strategic Plan - Growing With Care - </b></span>The Region of Waterloo has launched its Strategic Plan and is holding a series of public meetings for feedback and input on budgetary planning for the years area. Speak at upcoming input meetings on Wednesday, November 1st at 6pm or Wednesday, November 29th at 6pm:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regional-government/strategic-plan-2023-2027.aspx">https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regional-government/strategic-plan-2023-2027.aspx</a></div><div><br></div><div>Provide written feedback and/or answer a survey online at: <a href="https://www.engagewr.ca/2024-plan-and-budget">https://www.engagewr.ca/2024-plan-and-budget</a></div><div><br></div><div>The priorities the Region of Waterloo is working towards are:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Housing For All</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Climate Aligned Growth</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Equitable Services and Opportunities</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Resilient and Future Ready</div><div><br></div><div>Get involved and speak up for the future that you want to see!</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>13) Hallman Pit Hearing - </b></span>The Hallman Pit proposed to destroy farmland and groundwater aquifers near Shingletown in Wilmot Township has its OLT Hearing Starting on Monday, October 30th at 10:00am. Tune online to show your support - even just for the introductory statements of this 7 day hearing:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/979388733">https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/979388733</a></div><div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>14) Power Up! Rally - </b></span>Join a global day of action on November 4th from 1pm to 3pm at Carl Zehr Square at Kitchener City Hall to call on leaders to speed up the shift to renewable energy. Organized by leading groups such as 350.org, 50x30 Waterloo Region, the Council of Canadians, Citizen’s Climate Lobby and Faith Climate Justice this family event will feature presentations by experts in solar power, heat pumps, geothermal power, and explore progress being made on Waterloo Region's TransformWR strategy. Learn more from the poster below or at:</div></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://globalpowerup.org/canada/">https://globalpowerup.org/canada/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">15) What We Need To Keep Working On - </b>Issues that we need to ensure Doug Ford’s provincial government reverses course on include:</div><div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><font color="#ff2600">Done!</font> <strike>1) Reverse the 15 Greenbelt Takeouts and see the Greenbelt integrity restored,</strike></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2) Reversing the forced sale of Conservation Authority Lands and restoring the powers/duties of our Conservation Authorities,</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3) Ensuring that Regional Planning Authority is fully returned to Waterloo, Durham, Niagara, Halton, York, Peel, and Simcoe County,</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>4) Cancelling the reclassification and downgrading of Provincially Significant Wetlands and the removal of wetland offsetting policies,</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5) Repeal of the unfettered ability to expand Settlement Area Boundaries anytime, for any reason, </div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><font color="#ff2600">Success! </font><strike>5) Ensuring the cancellation and removal of severances for farmland and rural lands with a strong “No Rural Severances” policy,</strike></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><font color="#ff2600">Success!</font> <strike>6) Rolling back of forced urban boundary expansions in Hamilton, Waterloo, Halton, Wellington, Ottawa, and elsewhere against local municipality decisions/official plans - particularly where sufficient new housing was already being accommodated within existing plans.</strike></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><font color="#ff2600">Underway -</font> 7) Calling for continued investigations by the RCMP, Auditor General and Integrity Commissioner - not only into this Greenbelt Scandal but also the very similar decisions by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing that had no public input or consultation on forced urban boundary expansions, MZO’s, Growth Plan elimination, Regional Planning changes, and the wetland evaluation system changes.</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>8) Continuing to fight on other key issues such as Highway #413, the Bradford Bypass, Ontario Place, Healthcare, Education, etc.</div></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">16) Here’s Why We Need To Keep Working -</b> Thanks to Joan Faux for sharing this social media post on the contempt this government has for affordable housing and why we need to keep working for restoration and change:</div><div><br></div><div><div dir="auto"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I thought this was worth sharing in advance of tomorrow’s meeting. Calandra puts his contempt for supporting affordable housing on full display.</div><div dir="auto"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://x.com/tdotresident/status/1717600712807305410?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw">https://x.com/tdotresident/status/1717600712807305410?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw</a></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><br></div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><div><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">17) Reminder - Meeting This Friday</b><b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> -</span></b> Join us online tomorrow - Friday, October 27th at 5:30pm to discuss the latest news and what’s next:</div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><br></div><div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Topic: Grand River Watershed Bill 23 Bi-Weekly Zoom Meeting</div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Time: Every Other Friday at 5:30pm EST</div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><br></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Join Zoom Meeting</div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09">https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</a></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;"><br></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701</div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Passcode: 713374</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div>Thanks for all the great efforts so far - please share any questions or ideas.</div><div><div id="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqtfd24641" class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770yqt1303954863"><br clear="none"><div dir="ltr"><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span class="ydp9fa07544yiv0892781770ydp8bacb94dyiv1865983000Apple-style-span">Cheers,</span></div><div 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></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>-----------------------------------</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><font style="font-size: 14px;">A) Upcoming Events</font></b></div><div><br></div><div>Friday, October 27th<b style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - 5:30pm - Next update meeting on Zoom - </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09" style="font-weight: 400;">https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</a></b></div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><div><div><div></div></div><div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div>Friday, October 27th - 8pm to 9pm - Climate Emergency Vigil - Waterloo Public Square <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.666667px;">- </span></font><a href="https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/climate-vigils.html">https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/climate-vigils.html</a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Saturday, October 28th - Already Sold Out! - Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition Event with Margaret Atwood and Sarah Harmer - <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-for-the-greenbelt-tickets-658110374847?aff=scgcaugeml">https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-for-the-greenbelt-tickets-658110374847?aff=scgcaugeml</a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Monday, October 30th - Deadline to respond to MMAH Minister Callandra municipal ultimatum - see letter in Section C below</div><div><br></div><div>Monday, October 30th - 10:00am - Start of Hallman Pit OLT Hearing - <a href="https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/979388733">https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/979388733</a></div><div><br></div><div>Tuesday, October 31st - 12pm - Ontario Farmland Trust Webinar - Balancing Farmland Protection and Housing - <a href="https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2023/10/10/winter-webinars-register-today/">https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2023/10/10/winter-webinars-register-today/</a></div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday, November 1st - 7pm - Region of Waterloo Strategic Planning Feedback Meeting - <a href="https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regional-government/strategic-plan-2023-2027.aspx">https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regional-government/strategic-plan-2023-2027.aspx</a></div><div><br></div><div><div>Wednesday, November 1st - 7pm - Greenbelt Promise Webinar - <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe86FfAcm38KchJi2ArUy9t-NLFitXjI8O_rThl0nO-JsRTBQ/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe86FfAcm38KchJi2ArUy9t-NLFitXjI8O_rThl0nO-JsRTBQ/viewform</a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Saturday, November 4th - 1pm to 3pm - Kitchener City Hall - Global PowerUp! Rally - <a href="https://globalpowerup.org/canada/">https://globalpowerup.org/canada/</a></div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday, November 8th - 7pm - Ontario Nature Webinar Wetland Community Resources for Advocates - <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PFUAcZImT8S0QYOzughi5g#/registration">https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PFUAcZImT8S0QYOzughi5g#/registration</a></div><div><br></div><div>Tuesday, November 14th - 12pm - Ontario Farmland Trust Webinar - Intro to Farmland Protection Options - <a href="https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2023/10/10/winter-webinars-register-today/">https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/2023/10/10/winter-webinars-register-today/</a></div><div><br></div><div>Thursday, November 30th - Final day to comment on ERO Deadline to the Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act - <a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7739">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7739</a></div><div><br></div><div><div>------------------------------------</div><div><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">B) Speak Up On The ERO To Return Greenbelt Lands:</span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div></div></div></div></div></body></html>