<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 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>Good Day,</div><div><br></div><div>There’s a surprising totally unexpected new threat to local farmland, time is running out to speak up on the many Get It Done Act concerns, concerns continue about the province overruling the Ontairo Energy Board, and more this week:</div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">1) Wilmot Farmland Land </b><b style="font-size: 14px;">Development Assembly - </b>Many Wilmot area farmers across a vast area south of New Hamburg and Baden were shocked this past week to find lawyers delivering legal letters to sell their properties or face the government taking it regardless in what appears to be a secret backroom effort to assemble a very large area of land for a massive industrial development. It appears to be at least two concessions worth of prime farmland in the Bleams Road area south of Highway 7/8 and along Sandhills Road and Nafziger Road in Wilmot Township has been targetted for a significant industrial development such as a new automotive or electric battery assembly plant that could employ thousands of people in a distant, rural area that is Prime Farmland, far from existing development, and has never been contemplated for any sort of development as it is far across the Countryside Line and full of thriving local farms.</div><div><br></div><div>With the Nith River already at its assimilative capacity, the Nith watershed facing significant flooding issues and other constraints, very limited Wilmot Township sewage capacity already allocated to the massive new housing ambitions of Wilmot Township, and little significant transportation infrastructure in the area other than Highway 7/8 it is an extremely unusual and concerning location to target for significant new industrial development. Thousands of employees would face long car-dependent commutes on the few rural roads in the area as well as all truck traffic being a significant distance from Highway 401, Highway 403, and far from most other industrial infrastructure that exists around Toyota and other industrial areas of Kitchener, Cambridge and North Dumfries.</div><div><br></div><div>While the Region of Waterloo has been looking for additional large industrial options it was always envisioned to be close to the Grand River with better water and sewage options, close to major urban centres such as Kitchener and Cambridge, with the potential for far better transit and transportation options. The destruction of prime farms also has to be questioned when there are exhausted gravel pits and all sorts of other sites/lands that could be reclaimed for industrial use close to the 401 and other existing infrastructure without destroying more area farms we are going to need in the future.</div><div><br></div><div>This site has never been anticipated in decades of long-term planning and Official Plans. It could severely disrupt extensive efforts for sustainability, and complete/compact communities - not to mention make it almost impossible to achieve the climate change targets that both Waterloo Region and Wilmot Township have committed to.</div><div><br></div><div>There also seems to be competing timelines and disinformation as the Region of Waterloo states this is long-term planning and nothing is imminent, while local farmers are being told there is provincial involvement and not to even plan to plant any crops this Spring.</div><div><br></div><div>Overall, it is very concerning to see such significant and far-reaching deals being done in secret so suddenly with little co-ordination or consideration for long-term planning, environmental, and climate change impacts. We need everyone in our community working in a transparent manner towards shared goals, visions, and broadly agreed upon plans if we are to be successful. Learn more at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - The Missing Piece Is The Balance: Wilmot Pushing To Expand Employment Area:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/the-missing-piece-is-the-balance-wilmot-pushing-to-expand-employment-area/article_56696a71-eec4-5931-abed-af8f3f2b3ff3.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/the-missing-piece-is-the-balance-wilmot-pushing-to-expand-employment-area/article_56696a71-eec4-5931-abed-af8f3f2b3ff3.html</a></div><div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Province Is Assembling Land In Wilmot:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/province-is-assembling-land-in-wilmot-township/article_e1ceed3b-2bae-58ce-9921-32f68aaad78c.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/province-is-assembling-land-in-wilmot-township/article_e1ceed3b-2bae-58ce-9921-32f68aaad78c.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Region Wants To Buy Farms Off Nafziger Road In Wilmot:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/region-wants-to-buy-farms-off-nafziger-road-in-wilmot/article_9b0a8687-7094-5b96-a04c-86c4bf2b6803.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/region-wants-to-buy-farms-off-nafziger-road-in-wilmot/article_9b0a8687-7094-5b96-a04c-86c4bf2b6803.html</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">2) Schnieder’s Lands Donation - </b>It’s great to see the Schnider’s Lands donation recently approved by Wilmot Township without the absurd parking lot and moving forward. Media coverage continues with local and even national news coverage in the Narwhal:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - No Parking Lot, But Wilmot Makes Way For Schneider Land Donation:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/no-parking-lot-but-wilmot-makes-way-for-schneider-land-donation/article_368f87c9-6b12-51c6-80a4-8c1d6f00478e.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/no-parking-lot-but-wilmot-makes-way-for-schneider-land-donation/article_368f87c9-6b12-51c6-80a4-8c1d6f00478e.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Narwhal - A 94-Year Old Wants To Welcome Ontarians To Paradise. A Parking Lot Nearly Stood In Her Way:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://thenarwhal.ca/wilmot-schneider-woods-nature-reserve/">https://thenarwhal.ca/wilmot-schneider-woods-nature-reserve/</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Wilmot Tavistock Gazette - Wilmot Township Sets Stage For Schneider Donation To Proceed:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://granthaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WTGazette_03_07_24_ONLINE.pdf">https://granthaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WTGazette_03_07_24_ONLINE.pdf</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">3) Kitchener Inclusionary Zoning - </b>This coming Monday, March 18th, Kitchener City Council will vote on whether to require “Inclusionary Zoning”, which requires a portion of all new developments around iON Light rail stations to be affordable housing. Community support is needed to counter developer objections and ensure that this opportunity to see more than 800+ affordable homes built over the next 10 years. </div><div><br></div><div>Hal Jaeger and his team have been doing an incredible job of raising awareness and ensuring a strong community response but far more petition signatures are needed to show the broad level of support there is to better address our housing crisis. Please ensure that yourself and others have signed the petition at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://stopsprawlwr.wixsite.com/inclusionaryzoning">https://stopsprawlwr.wixsite.com/inclusionaryzoning</a></div><div><br></div><div>Please speak up and do all that you can to support delegations at the March 18th Council Meeting at 519-341-6007 or <a href="mailto:hzjaeger@gmail.com">hzjaeger@gmail.com</a>.</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">4) New Conservation Authority Regulations -</span> </b>Concern continues about the significant negative impact of the new regulations that came into force for Ontario's Conservation Authorities. Andrew McCammon from the Ontario Headwaters Institute is raising concerns about the lack of consultation from the province and the reckless abandon to destroy watershed integrity. Below is last week's excellent Narwhal article and an article from the Hamilton Spectator today raising concerns about the dramatic drop in the requirement for wetland buffers from 120m to only 30m. We need everyone to be doing more to protect our water - not less. Learn more and speak up:</span></div></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Narwhal - Ontario Weakens Watershed Protections (Again) As Natural Resources Minister Gets New Powers:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-conservation-authorities-changes/">https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-conservation-authorities-changes/</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hamilton Spectator - HCA Directors Blast Province’s Outrageous Conservation Changes:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://thespec.pressreader.com/article/281578065641158">https://thespec.pressreader.com/article/281578065641158</a></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><b style="font-size: 14px;">5) Disturbing Changes Proposed for the Province's Municipal Environmental Assessment Requirements - </b> Please remember that we only have until March 17th to speak up about the egregious proposal to change the Municipal Environmental Assessment requirements by allowing a slew of municipal construction projects to be exempt from the Municipal Comprehensive Environmental Assessment such as new pumping stations, expanding sewage treatment plants up to 25% of existing rate capacity, all municipal roads or new parking lots, reconstruction of bridges with or without cultural heritage value and the list goes on. As Kae Elgie puts it - this proposed new regime removes virtually all protection for our cultural heritage and natural environment so that houses, bridges and highways can be built faster. Citizens won’t even be able to appeal to the government and all concerns will need to be directed to the development proponent. Kae states:</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- </span>the Ministry is downloading its duty to care for the Environment to municipalities without guiding, supporting, or supervising the process.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><p class="ydp332b301cMsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- </span>the proposal removes the need to investigate and mitigate impacts on cultural heritage resources, for most municipal infrastructure projects</p><div><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- particularly distressing is the way that aboriginal and/or treaty rights are dealt with in the new </span>the proposal which poses great risks to Ancestor burial and archaeological sites, and does not fulfill the constitutional Duty to Consult and Accommodate. It puts Ontario in violation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which Canada adopted in 2016. </div></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">The ERO posting can be found here: </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7891#supporting-materials" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7891#supporting-materials</a></div><br></div><div>Please remember we only have until Sunday to comment. Additional background and information on these proposed changes is available in these excellent new articles:</div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Aird Berlis - Ontario Plans To Revoke Municipal Class EA:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.airdberlis.com/insights/publications/publication/ontario-plans-to-revoke-municipal-class-ea-and-replace-it-with-municipal-project-assessment-process-regulation#">https://www.airdberlis.com/insights/publications/publication/ontario-plans-to-revoke-municipal-class-ea-and-replace-it-with-municipal-project-assessment-process-regulation#</a></div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>ReNew Canada - Ontairo Announces Changes To EA Process:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.renewcanada.net/ontario-announces-changes-to-environmental-assessment-approval-process/">https://www.renewcanada.net/ontario-announces-changes-to-environmental-assessment-approval-process/</a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Please also write the <b><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204); background: white; text-decoration: none;"><a href="mailto:EAmodernization.mecp@ontario.ca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EAmodernization.mecp@ontario.ca</a></span></b> EA Modernization Project Team, 135 St Clair Ave West, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 and your MPP (list below).</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>6) Bill 162 - The Get It Done Act -</b></span> Time is also running out to speak up on Bill 162 that will be particularly brutal for Halton Region and Waterloo Region with forced boundary expansions destroying Regional Official Plans and causing the unnecessary destruction of thousands of acres of irreplaceable farmland. The omnibus bill also includes changes to land expropriation and environmental reviews to facilitate highway construction that are very concerning along with Doug Ford’s attempt to block future carbon taxes.</div><div><br></div><div>There’s lots not to like about this Bill so please speak up through all of the following easy methods:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://leadnow.ca/">LeadNow.ca</a> Campaign - Stop Ford’s Latest Overeach - The Get It Done Act:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://act.leadnow.ca/getitdone-opposition/">https://act.leadnow.ca/getitdone-opposition/</a></div><div><br></div><div>And we urge you to speak up on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) as well as e-mail your MPP so there is a public record of concerns against this Act:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ERO - Get It Done Act, 2024 - Amending the Official Plan Adjustments Act, 2023</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8273">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8273</a></div><div><br></div>We only have until March 21st until the comment period on the ERO closes.</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div></div><div><br></div><div><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">7) Thousands of Citizens Ask Minister To Deny Durham Region’s Request To Pave Over 9,000 Acres - </span></b><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">Stop Sprawl Durham (SSD) is doing a great job of getting signatories to their letter pushing back on the boundary expansions as their Official Plan has yet to be approved by the Province:</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42); white-space: pre;"> </span><font color="#26282a"><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">DurhamRegion.com - Critics Call On Province To Deny Durham’s Plans To Develop 9,000 Acres of Farmland:</span></font></div><div><font color="#26282a"><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></font><a href="https://www.durhamregion.com/news/council/critics-call-on-province-to-deny-durhams-plans-to-develop-9-000-acres-of-farmland/article_fd72ec03-fcc6-5fac-a5a1-8b88b38b5b39.html.">https://www.durhamregion.com/news/council/critics-call-on-province-to-deny-durhams-plans-to-develop-9-000-acres-of-farmland/article_fd72ec03-fcc6-5fac-a5a1-8b88b38b5b39.html.</a></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">So far more than 26,000 letters have been sent. You can speak up and help to better guide development at the following link:</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/protect-durhams-future-say-no-to-costly-urban-expansion-3">https://actionnetwork.org/letters/protect-durhams-future-say-no-to-costly-urban-expansion-3</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>8) Concerning OLT Appointments - </b></span>Thanks to Joan Faux for the video below of Haldimand Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady’s comments at Question Period recently asking about appointment of former Mayor of Haldimand County to Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) who ironically in the past has called for it to be dissolved. Attorney General Doug Downey responded with questions. MPP Brady was well prepared:</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/i_h2gCFzZls?feature=shared">https://youtu.be/i_h2gCFzZls?feature=shared</a></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>9) Recent Articles -</b></span> This week's media includes stories about lessons from growth in Mississauga, Toronto celebrating its first bald eagle nest while Wilmot threatens an eagle nest at the Schneiders Lands with a dangerous new traffic intersection, and expiry dates for development approvals:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Toronto Star - We’re Going Through Growing Pains: At 50 Mississauga Wrestles Whether It Should Be A City Or Suburb:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/we-re-going-through-growing-pains-at-50-mississauga-wrestles-with-whether-it-should-be/article_1c37a9ee-db20-11ee-a037-4b6f85ab6ee2.html">https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/we-re-going-through-growing-pains-at-50-mississauga-wrestles-with-whether-it-should-be/article_1c37a9ee-db20-11ee-a037-4b6f85ab6ee2.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Toronto Star - Toronto Has Its First Bald Eagle Nest In Recorded History:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-has-its-first-bald-eagle-nest-in-recorded-history-heres-why-you-havent-seen/article_3da9784e-dd66-11ee-a72b-df4b4359c826.html">https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-has-its-first-bald-eagle-nest-in-recorded-history-heres-why-you-havent-seen/article_3da9784e-dd66-11ee-a72b-df4b4359c826.html</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>While Wilmot Township is about to build a traffic intersection under a bald eagle nest here….</div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Toronto Star - Should Municipalities Be Able To Compel Builders To Use Land?:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/real-estate/should-municipalities-be-able-to-compel-builders-to-use-land/article_9a306086-d72c-11ee-9cb5-afa655fe1961.html?">https://www.thestar.com/real-estate/should-municipalities-be-able-to-compel-builders-to-use-land/article_9a306086-d72c-11ee-9cb5-afa655fe1961.html?</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Narwhal - A Five-Year Battle Comes To An End In Ontario:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-ontario-conservation-authorities-changes/">https://thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-ontario-conservation-authorities-changes/</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Record - Developers ByPass City Hall To Seek Approval:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-developers-bypass-city-hall-to-seek-approval-for-highrise-homes/article_a03fbea6-041a-5cac-9bca-7a940f51f69b.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-developers-bypass-city-hall-to-seek-approval-for-highrise-homes/article_a03fbea6-041a-5cac-9bca-7a940f51f69b.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Record - Heritage Advocates Fear Proposed Changes Could Forever Alter Kitchener Neighbourhoods:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/council/heritage-advocates-fear-proposed-changes-could-forever-alter-kitchener-neighbourhoods/article_1e2fbb42-a77b-5d6d-af50-6edef9bc3404.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign&utm_content=ap_j7pwygzsrn">https://www.therecord.com/news/council/heritage-advocates-fear-proposed-changes-could-forever-alter-kitchener-neighbourhoods/article_1e2fbb42-a77b-5d6d-af50-6edef9bc3404.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Record - Developer Wants To Double Subdivision Density In Elmira:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/developer-wants-to-almost-double-residential-density-in-elmira-subdivision/article_0c8a3103-0fc5-52f2-9be7-0589084add34.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/developer-wants-to-almost-double-residential-density-in-elmira-subdivision/article_0c8a3103-0fc5-52f2-9be7-0589084add34.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">CTV - Environmental Defence Joins The Fight Against The Dresden Landfill Site:</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><a href="https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/we-don-t-want-to-see-landfills-located-near-any-river-environmental-group-backs-dresden-s-fight-against-landfill-proposal-1.6800263" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/we-don-t-want-to-see-landfills-located-near-any-river-environmental-group-backs-dresden-s-fight-against-landfill-proposal-1.6800263</a></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>CBC - Minister Of Environment, Conservation And Parks Capitulates Because A By-election Is At Stake In SW Ontario:</div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/dresden-york-one-environmental-assessement-1.7145628" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/dresden-york-one-environmental-assessement-1.7145628</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-size: 14px;"><b>10) Concern Continues About Plans To Overrule the OEB </b>-</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"> Doug Ford wants you to pay more for heating and continues to push </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">the ironically named Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, Bill 165 to override the OEB's December decision that Enbridge gas pipeline expansions shouldn't be subsidized by current gas ratepayers given that there are now better alternatives such as heat pumps available. </span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br></span></div><div>Tell Doug Ford and Energy Minister Todd Smith that Ontarians want affordable, green heating and to leave the Ontario Energy Board alone. We need to be banning natural gas and following other jurisdictions in prohibiting new connections - not overruling independent energy boards and forcing new connections on citizens for decades to come. Speak up and sign the online petition from <a href="http://leadnow.ca/">LeadNow.ca</a> at:</div><div><br></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><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Leadnow - Doug Ford Wants You To May More For Heating:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://act.leadnow.ca/oeb-mpp/">https://act.leadnow.ca/oeb-mpp/</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">11) Tri-Counties - Green Development Standards Public Visioning Sessions -</b> March 25th Wellington County, March 26th Dufferin County, March 27th Grey County. It is fantastic to see our rural counties making progress on the development of rural green development standards that have been so impactful and effective in other communities. Learn more, attend, and support these initiatives at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.wellington.ca/en/resident-services/pl-green-development-standards.aspx#What-is-the-schedule-for-completing-the-GDS">https://www.wellington.ca/en/resident-services/pl-green-development-standards.aspx#What-is-the-schedule-for-completing-the-GDS</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">12) Pass The Sustainable Jobs Act - </b>Kudos to the Council of Canadians for pushing the federal government to bring the Sustainable Jobs Act forward for a third and final reading in the House of Commons. Speak up with their easy online form to draft a letter to the Minister, Prime Minister and your local MPP to ensure this essential act to empower workers and lessen the impacts of the energy transition to a low-carbon economy :</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://canadians.org/action/pass-the-sustainable-jobs-act-already/">https://canadians.org/action/pass-the-sustainable-jobs-act-already/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>13) Grand River Hub for the Greater Tkaronto Bioregion - </b></span>The 7-Generation Bioregional Earth Summit was held February 5th to 10th and was promoted in this update. You can still register for access to the recordings of the sessions:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSed304hAUJbOPl457zWMChxKeLPOxIX1pR--0QHiKZRWcCAcw/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSed304hAUJbOPl457zWMChxKeLPOxIX1pR--0QHiKZRWcCAcw/viewform</a></div><div><br></div><div>There is an initiative underway to establish a Grand River Hub with a 12 week online course starting this Tuesday, March 19th with the following video helping to explain things:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lIZbyixmcM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lIZbyixmcM</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>You can also learn more about the bioregional approach in the following video:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsgLy9O4CsI&t=0s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsgLy9O4CsI&t=0s</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>14) Conserving Farmland on the Urban Fringe - </b></span>Tom Nudds has drafted an excellent document (attached below) about conserving farmland - particularly on the urban fringe in Wellington County. He’s proposing some innovative ideas for monetizing ecological goods and services to help intensify development and conserve farmland. We’ll discuss this at an upcoming coming meeting. In the meantime, learn more in the document below and reach out to Tom at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.uoguelph.ca/ib/nudds">https://www.uoguelph.ca/ib/nudds</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></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 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><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>15) The Future of Farmland Forum -</b></span> The Ontario Farmland Trust would like to invite you to the annual Farmland Forum on March 21st from 9am to 5pm at the Grandway Events Centre in Elora and online. Registration and more information can be found at:</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 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><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/forum/">https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/forum/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">16) Reminder - Next Meeting</b><b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> -</span></b> Join us next <span dir="ltr">Friday, March 22nd at 5:30pm</span> 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><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 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 <span dir="ltr">Friday at 5:30pm EST</span></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: <span dir="ltr">826 4469 5701</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span dir="ltr">Passcode: 713374</span></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></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">-----------------------------------</b></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><div>ERO Deadline Municipal Environmental Assessment Requirements - Deadline - Sunday, March 17th - <a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7891">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-7891</a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>The Future of Farmland Forum - Thursday, March 21st 9am to 5pm - <a href="https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/forum/">https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/forum/</a></div><div><br></div><div>ERO Deadline Get It Done Act Amending the Official Plan Adjustments Act, 2024 - Deadline - Thursday, March 21st - <a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8273">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8273</a></div><div><br></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;"><span dir="ltr">Friday, March 22nd</span><b style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> <span dir="ltr">- 5:30pm</span> - 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><br></div><div>Monday, March 25th - Wellington County Public Visioning Session on Green Development Standards - <a href="https://www.wellington.ca/en/resident-services/pl-green-development-standards.aspx#What-is-the-schedule-for-completing-the-GDS">https://www.wellington.ca/en/resident-services/pl-green-development-standards.aspx#What-is-the-schedule-for-completing-the-GDS</a></div><div><br></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);">Thursday, March 28th at 7pm - Watershed 4 Event by Wellington Water Watchers on Decolonizing and Water Justice. Register at: </span><a href="https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/watershed_4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/watershed_4</a></div><div><br></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>Guelph Climate Action Network - Saturday, April 6 - 1:30pm - Climate Solutions Screening Bookshelf Cinema - <a href="https://jamesgordon.ca/guelph-climate-action-network">https://jamesgordon.ca/guelph-climate-action-network</a> </div><div><br></div><div><br></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><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;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">-----------------------------------</b></div></div></div></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">B) The Get It Done Act, 2024</b></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;"><br></b></div><div></div></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>