<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 style="display: block;"><div>Good Day,</div><div><br></div><div>A reminder that today (Friday, May 3rd) at 5:30pm is our regular bi-weekly Update Meeting on Zoom. Join us to discuss the latest on Bill 185, the PPS changes, the Wilmot farm land assembly, the troubling development situation unfolding in Caledon, and more:</div><div><br></div><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 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;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">1) Wilmot Industrial Mega-Site Farm Land Assembly - </b>Citizens and farmers continue to make it clear that we are unwilling hosts for this mega-industrial site. More than 1,100 signs are on lawns across Waterloo Region, 400 more signs arrived yesterday from the printer, thousands more people have signed petitions, and considerable media coverage continues.</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;">Minister Vic Fedeli finally acknowledged that the Wilmot site doesn’t have enough water for EV battery production (a very water-intensive process). He also admitted there was no prospective customer for the proposed mega-industrial site that he was aware of. </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;">Still, his declaration didn’t stop the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce from issuing another letter calling for the destruction of this farmland and endorsing this secret-backroom land assembly process that has yet to have almost all questions answered, any public reports or data, nor even a single public meeting. Municipal and Regional Councillors continue to avoid answering any questions and block all efforts to appear before Councils. Although this past week at Waterloo Regional Council, after numerous student delegations speaking in support of the night bus transit restoration pleaded repeatedly for the farmers to be allowed to speak, local farmers Adam Van Bergijk and his son Arjo Van Bergijk were allowed 5 minutes to address Council with no questions or comments (or even applause) permitted. Watch their excellent and heartfelt presentation starting at the 2:45:00 mark:</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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CtHFLFkwwA&t=10326s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CtHFLFkwwA&t=10326s</a></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;"><br></div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><b>Volunteers Needed - Lawn Sign Canvassing and Distribution on Saturday -</b> Lawn signs are one of the most impactful ways of showing firsthand our unwilling community, so this coming Saturday (tomorrow - May 4th) we are looking for volunteers to help with door-to-door canvassing in local Wilmot communities. We plan to form several teams of a few people each to knock on doors and seek support for area farmers in the Fight For Farmland by putting a sign on their lawn. Please let us know if you can help for an hour or two Saturday morning or afternoon by e-mailing the address below and we will provide more details:</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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>wilmotlandowners@gmail.com</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;"><br></div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><b>Lawn Signs - Fight For Farmland - </b>Another 400 lawn signs have arrived! Order yours online, pick them up from local Sign Captains throughout Waterloo Region, and learn more at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.fightforfarmland.com/">www.fightforfarmland.com</a> </div></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;"><br></div><div><div><b>Online Petition</b> - Thanks to everyone who has signed the online <a href="http://change.org/">Change.org</a> petition that has now surpassed an astounding 33,500 signatures! Please continue to promote it:</div><div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.change.org/p/stop-appropriation-targeting-wilmot-township-farmland">https://www.change.org/p/stop-appropriation-targeting-wilmot-township-farmland</a></div></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><b>Great media coverage -</b> both local and province-wide continues including:</div></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Wilmot Township Deemed Not Suitable For EV Battery Plant:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/wilmot-township-deemed-not-suitable-for-ev-battery-plant/article_e31078b5-9b93-5c3a-80b2-4f16b94c505f.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/wilmot-township-deemed-not-suitable-for-ev-battery-plant/article_e31078b5-9b93-5c3a-80b2-4f16b94c505f.html</a></div><div style="display: block;"><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></div></div></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Kitchener Post - Follow The Money When It Comes To Rezoning Farmland:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/follow-the-money-when-it-comes-to-rezoning-farmland/article_2486827e-b54e-560a-b076-b21a7445d457.html">https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/follow-the-money-when-it-comes-to-rezoning-farmland/article_2486827e-b54e-560a-b076-b21a7445d457.html</a></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CTV - Generational Farm Could Be Impacted If Wilmot Land Assembly Goes Ahead:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/generational-farm-could-be-impacted-if-wilmot-land-assembly-goes-ahead-1.6862334">https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/generational-farm-could-be-impacted-if-wilmot-land-assembly-goes-ahead-1.6862334</a></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Great interviews and analysis of the impacts on local farm families</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CityNews - Local Economic Support Team Issues Second Open Letter About Land Assembly in Wilmot Township:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/04/29/economic-support-team-issues-second-open-letter-about-land-assembly-in-wilmot-township/">https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/04/29/economic-support-team-issues-second-open-letter-about-land-assembly-in-wilmot-township/</a></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - Group Of Business Leaders Releases 2nd Open Letter In Favour Of Region’s Wilmot Land Acquisition:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/wilmot-land-acquisition-bestwr-second-open-letter-industrial-1.7188249">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/wilmot-land-acquisition-bestwr-second-open-letter-industrial-1.7188249</a></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Debate is good but people should use “common set of facts” BESTWR group says - fantastic if we had any facts or information!</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Farmtario - Farmers Condemn Expropriation Threat To Farmland In Wilmot Township:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://farmtario.com/news/farmers-farm-groups-condemn-expropriation-threat-to-farmland-in-wilmot-township/">https://farmtario.com/news/farmers-farm-groups-condemn-expropriation-threat-to-farmland-in-wilmot-township/</a></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Better Farming - Wilmot Township Situation Alarms:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.betterfarming.com/flippingbook/betterfarming/2024/may/74/">https://www.betterfarming.com/flippingbook/betterfarming/2024/may/74/</a></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>CTV CKCO Television News - Rollercoaster Turf War Continues Between Waterloo Region and Wilmot Farmers:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/rollercoaster-turf-war-continues-between-waterloo-region-and-wilmot-farmers-1.6868396">https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/rollercoaster-turf-war-continues-between-waterloo-region-and-wilmot-farmers-1.6868396</a></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - There Are No Winners In These Wilmot Guessing Games:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/there-are-no-winners-in-these-wilmot-guessing-games/article_d08bfd44-f133-5eca-aef1-582ec1cf6fca.html">https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/there-are-no-winners-in-these-wilmot-guessing-games/article_d08bfd44-f133-5eca-aef1-582ec1cf6fca.html</a></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">MPP Catherine Fife presented the petition with hundreds of signatures to the Legislature on April 29th</span></div><div style="display: block;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9edc6425-7fff-7067-9de5-cfdf1acdfe20"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><a href="https://x.com/cfifekw/status/1785022675720556906?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://x.com/cfifekw/status/1785022675720556906?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw</span></a></div><br></span></div><div style="display: block;"><div><b>Action Needed -</b> Please continue to show firsthand that we are unwilling to host this mega-industrial site and massive growth of tens of thousands of new residents in Wilmot Township by:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Signing petitions and sending letters, e-mails, and phone calls to elected officials,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Putting up a lawn sign encouraging others to Fight For Farmland too,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Volunteering to help engage the public and build support canvassing door-to-door,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Signing up for updates on the <a href="http://www.fightforfarmland.com/">www.fightforfarmland.com</a> website.</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">2) Bill 185 - Cutting Red Tape To Build More Homes Act -</b> The May 10th ERO deadline for submissions on Bill 185 is rapidly approaching this coming week. Please be sure to speak up about the devastating impact of the removal of Planning Authority from the Region of Waterloo that could compromise or eliminate most of our environmental protections including the Countryside Line, Protected Countryside, Environmentally Sensitive Landscapes, and ESPA areas.</div><div><br></div><div>There are also troubling changes that eliminate the ability for citizens to appeal development decisions to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and changing what constitutes “public notice”. As well, changes to the criteria for the opening of settlement area (urban) boundaries will allow almost unlimited urban expansion onto farmland.</div><div><br></div><div>Bill 185 is unlikely to build more housing but the consequences could be felt for generations. </div><div><div><br></div><div><b>Join Our Bill 185 and PPS Open Letter -</b> The new Waterloo Climate Collaborative - a working partnership between almost all environmental groups in Waterloo Region has drafted an Open Letter we are hoping all area organizations will sign on to.</div></div><div><br></div><div>Check out a PDF of the letter attached below as Appendix B and then fill out the following Google Form to be included as a signatory: </div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjYDinYUtipPQgIyBMU3N7LE2JopjR9WO2zO2Jx4lvrs8f1A/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjYDinYUtipPQgIyBMU3N7LE2JopjR9WO2zO2Jx4lvrs8f1A/viewform</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>ALO Bill 185 Open Letter - </b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Strong concerns about Bill 185 and proposed changes to the PPS has been voiced by both Mark Reusser, President of Waterloo Federation of Agriculture and Victor Doyle, a planner who was one of the key architects of the Greenbelt. The remarks were made during the webinar organized by the Alliance for Liveable Ontario (ALO) on Monday April 29th. The ALO is asking everyone to sign on to a letter that will be sent to Doug Ford and other members of the Legislature to rescind the proposed legislation and changes . Links to read and sign the letter:</span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><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://www.liveableontario.ca/alliance-resources/action-heading-in-the-wrong-direction" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.liveableontario.ca/alliance-resources/action-heading-in-the-wrong-direction</span></a></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><b>Water Watchers Take Action - </b>send an e-mail automatically to government officials with concerns about Bill 185 by using this handy tool:</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/bill_185">https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/bill_185</a></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div><br></div><div><b>Actions Needed on Bill 185:</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Planning Authority should be retained by the Region of Waterloo, our Countryside Line remain intact, and forced boundary expansions eliminated,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Changes to Settlement Area Boundaries should not be permitted outside of regular municipal comprehensive review periods,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Planning Act Sections dealing with Third Party Appeals should be rescinded,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- The Attorney General should disclose all communications with municipalities and developers requesting changes to third party appeal rights,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- The OLT should be required to permit third party appeals,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- We need to be speaking up loudly to elected officials and on the ERO - <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 104, 218); color: rgb(0, 104, 218); text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8365">https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8365</a></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>3) Milton By-Election Results Are In: </b></span>Voter turnout was abysmal for yesterday’s by-elections in Milton at just 27.7% and 30.3% in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex as Doug Ford’s Conservative government retained both ridings they had previously held. Once again the inability of the opposition parties to set egos aside and unite, split the vote allowing the Conservatives to win in Milton:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CP24 - Progressive Conservatives Win Both Ontario By-Elections:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cp24.com/news/progressive-conservatives-win-both-ontario-byelections-1.6870216">https://www.cp24.com/news/progressive-conservatives-win-both-ontario-byelections-1.6870216</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">4) Ontario Carbon Emissions Soar -</b> New figures show that Ontario’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions jumped for a second straight year, surpassing that of 2017. Once again it is astounding to see so many actions taking us in the opposite direction that we need to avoid climate disaster and dire life threatening consequences in the years ahead. Astoundingly, the provincial government claimed that their plan to reduce emissions is working…</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - Ontario’s Carbon Emissions Jump Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-carbon-emissions-ghg-inventory-1.7191765">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-carbon-emissions-ghg-inventory-1.7191765</a></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">5) Caledon Chaos Continues - </b> Caledon Mayor Annette Groves has backed down for now and cancelled plans to use Strong Mayor Powers to fast-track development of 35,000 new homes - doubling the population of Caledon by cutting out the public and Council, and undertaking a number of questionable activities to try to force development. Join Debbe Crandall on our 5:30pm call tonight learn more about how Democracy Caledon has stopped this absurd attempt to override democracy and proper planning.</div><div><br></div><div>There is tremendous concern, questionable tactics, and much to be learned for protecting other communities from such developer-lead antics. Learn more in this week's article:</div></div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Pointer - Reports Blow Up Misleading Claims By Caledon Mayor Annette Groves Around Secretive Development Agenda To Build 35,000 Homes:</div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://thepointer.com/article/2024-04-29/reports-blow-up-misleading-claims-by-caledon-mayor-annette-groves-around-secretive-development-agenda-to-build-35-000-homes">https://thepointer.com/article/2024-04-29/reports-blow-up-misleading-claims-by-caledon-mayor-annette-groves-around-secretive-development-agenda-to-build-35-000-homes</a><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1dce09e7-7fff-1abf-d8bf-45beb0c0e1c8"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">6) Highway #413 -</b> </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Ford government made a bold announcement on April 30, 2024 that construction of Hwy 413 will begin in 2025:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><a href="https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004508/ontario-building-highway-413" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004508/ontario-building-highway-413</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(38, 50, 56); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">This announcement seems premature, and may be timed to distract from the fact that approvals are not yet in place. U</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; color: rgb(38, 50, 56); background: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">pdates to the </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; color: rgb(38, 50, 56);"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Impact Assessment Act</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica; color: rgb(38, 50, 56); background: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"> were tabled by the federal government as part of its budget implementation law – will very clearly restore the power of the federal Minister of Environment, and the federal Cabinet to ensure the impacts of Highway 413 are thoroughly examined – by once again designating Highway #413 for Impact Assessment. Here’s the latest statement from Environmental Defence:</span><font size="3"><o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; color: rgb(38, 50, 56); background: white;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(38, 50, 56); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><a href="https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/04/30/premier-doug-fords-claim-that-highway-413-construction-will-begin-in-2025-is-wishful-thinking-in-view-of-todays-updates-to-federal-impact-assessment/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/04/30/premier-doug-fords-claim-that-highway-413-construction-will-begin-in-2025-is-wishful-thinking-in-view-of-todays-updates-to-federal-impact-assessment/</span></a></p></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div style="display: block;">Join a public forum meeting this coming Thursday, May 9th at 7:00pm at the Woodbridge Pool and Arena. More details are available on the poster below and at:</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>www.stopthe413now.ca</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><b>Ontario Nature Action Alert -</b> there is an Action Alert on Highway #413 that makes it easy to speak up:</div><div style="display: block;"><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://ontarionature.good.do/stopthe413/email/">https://ontarionature.good.do/stopthe413/email/</a></div><div><br></div><div><b>Recent Media:</b></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Narwhal - “What Choice Did I Have?” - Guilbeault Says Highway #413 Deal Meant To Protect Key Environmental Law:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://thenarwhal.ca/guilbeault-highway-413-deal/?utm_source=The+Narwhal&utm_campaign=8bf410a260-May+2+2024+%97+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f6a05fddb8-8bf410a260-108708480">https://thenarwhal.ca/guilbeault-highway-413-deal/?</a></div><div><br></div><div><b>Action Needed On Highway #413:</b></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Continue to speak up to Liberal MPs and encourage proper environmental assessments,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Continue to raise awareness about the threats to the Greenbelt and farmland,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Continue to express concerns about the staggering $10 billion cost</div><div><br></div></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">7) Rethinking Canada’s Target for 5.8 Million Homes by 2030 - </b>Despite little data or studies actually confirming the need for 1.5 million homes in Ontario or over 5 million homes nationally and much data showing the number is grossly inflated - far beyond the actual need to remedy our current housing needs, the country has been whipped into a frenzy where housing at any cost isn’t being questioned and our environmental areas and farmland arebeing targeted and consumed at unprecedented rates in a very concerning stampede to meet housing targets.</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;">However, this article from the CHEC confirms that numbers have been grossly inflated and that the 5.8 million home target includes 3.5 million units greater than needed to flood the market with so much vacant housing that prices of homes would plummet as supply is so much greater than demand and there is no one to absorb this excess supply. </div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;">The article questions why builders would construct 3.5 million more homes than they could sell, creating excess supply, falling prices, and no profits. It suggests that housing targets are unrealistic and that our governments need to be taking a different approach. We all should be concerned to see our farmland and greenspace being destroyed without question in this housing frenzy that is so poorly understood or justified. Learn more at:</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CHEC - Rethinking Canada’s Target For 5.8 Million Homes By 2030:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://chec-ccrl.ca/rethinking-canadas-target-for-5-8-million-new-homes-by-2030/">https://chec-ccrl.ca/rethinking-canadas-target-for-5-8-million-new-homes-by-2030/</a></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">8) Ontario Nature Action Alert - Conservation Authorities Undermined Again -</b> Ontario Nature has launched another Action Alert campaign regarding our Conservation Authorities being undermined again by troubling changes from the provincial Conservative government that allow the Minister to override Conservation Authority decisions. Speak up at:</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://ontarionature.good.do/conservation-authorities-undermined-again/email/">https://ontarionature.good.do/conservation-authorities-undermined-again/email/</a></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">9) Not Just Ontario -</b> It seems that it isn’t just in Ontario where governments no longer hold public consultations or engage the public before making sweeping decisions, there are other places such as Alberta where citizen consultation is also being completely bypassed:</div><div style="display: block;"><br></div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Tyee - Calgary Has Big Housing Plans, Citizens Would Like A Word:</div><div style="display: block;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2024/04/23/Calgary-Has-Big-Housing-Plans/">https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2024/04/23/Calgary-Has-Big-Housing-Plans/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">10) ALO Heading The Wrong Way Webinar - </b>The past Monday evening almost 200 people joined Victor Doyle (Professional Land Use Planner) and Mark Reusser (Director, Waterloo Federation of Agriculture) for an informative discussion about why the province’s new housing plans will destroy farmland and worsen housing affordability. It was an eye-opening and fantastic discussion. Watch the hour long webinar and access Victor’s slides at the following link:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.liveableontario.ca/alliance-resources/heading-the-wrong-way-webinar">https://www.liveableontario.ca/alliance-resources/heading-the-wrong-way-webinar</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>11) Other Important Media Coverage -</b></span> includes Highway #413 environmental impacts, housing threatening the Niagara Escarpment in remote Beaver Valley, and more gravy train appointments from the Ford government:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>TVO Today - What Could Highway #413 Do To The Environment? We Asked A Road Ecologist:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/what-could-highway-413-do-to-the-environment-we-asked-a-road-ecologist">https://www.tvo.org/article/what-could-highway-413-do-to-the-environment-we-asked-a-road-ecologist</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Tyee - How To Rebuild Canada’s Crumbling Housing Foundation:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2024/04/26/How-Rebuild-Canada-Crumbling-Housing-Foundation/">https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2024/04/26/How-Rebuild-Canada-Crumbling-Housing-Foundation/</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - Planned Housing Project Threatens Niagara Escarpment:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-niagara-escarpment-housing-beaver-valley-talisman-1.7189605">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-niagara-escarpment-housing-beaver-valley-talisman-1.7189605</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - Ex-PC Party Vice-President Appointed Ontario Judge As Opposition Slams Gravy Train Appointment:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/ex-pc-party-vice-president-appointed-ontario-judge-as-opposition-slams-gravy-train-appointment/article_a0751f52-07c6-11ef-a3b3-5f81f2b99668.html">https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/ex-pc-party-vice-president-appointed-ontario-judge-as-opposition-slams-gravy-train-appointment/article_a0751f52-07c6-11ef-a3b3-5f81f2b99668.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - Editorial - A Paper Bag For Our Booze Purchases And A Step Backwards For The Planet:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/a-paper-bag-for-our-booze-purchases-and-a-step-backwards-in-helping-the-planet/article_3197fc0a-03ff-11ef-9038-f78b7d7cec43.html">https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/a-paper-bag-for-our-booze-purchases-and-a-step-backwards-in-helping-the-planet/article_3197fc0a-03ff-11ef-9038-f78b7d7cec43.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Greenbelt Scandal: Get the Big Story: Paydirt Epidsode 2 (podcast) with The Narwhal journalist Emma McIntosh. This episode unravels the part of the Greenbelt scandal related to the infamous Stag and Doe party in Doug Ford’s backyard in August 202 - interviews with Colin D’Melo (Global) and Charlie Pinkerton (The Trillium):</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://thebigstorypodcast.ca/2024/04/29/paydirt-e2-bees-stags-does-and-vegas/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://thebigstorypodcast.ca/2024/04/29/paydirt-e2-bees-stags-does-and-vegas/</span></a></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ICYMI Episode 1: </span><a href="https://thebigstorypodcast.ca/2024/04/22/paydirt-e1-its-not-easy-being-green/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://thebigstorypodcast.ca/2024/04/22/paydirt-e1-its-not-easy-being-green/</span></a></p><br><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">12) Urban Park Guelph -</b> there is a new lawn sign campaign launching for the campaign to create a new National Urban Park in Guelph. Join their #ParkYourselfinGuelph campaign and get a lawnsign at the UPG website:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.urbanparkguelph.com/lawn-signs">https://www.urbanparkguelph.com/lawn-signs</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">13) Bill 165 Leadnow Petition - </b>There is still time to speak up about Bill 165 and the attempt by the provincial government to overrule the Ontario Energy Board. Don’t let Enbridge sabotage our future at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/support-the-oeb-don-t-let-doug-ford-and-enbridge-sabotage-our-future">https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/support-the-oeb-don-t-let-doug-ford-and-enbridge-sabotage-our-future</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">14) Nuclear Waste Repository Location -</b> Teeswater, a small farm community that is part of the municipality of South Bruce will decide in an online vote this fall if it wants to be the site of a multi-billion-dollar project — Canada's largest permanent tomb for millions of bundles of spent nuclear fuel. The referendum's outcome will only matter if Teeswater is chosen over Ignace (245 km NW of Thunder Bay) — a decision the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) expects to announce by year's end. For people in Teeswater, the October referendum will be the culmination of a 12-year divisive debate in the community. </div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - An Ontario Farm Town Will Vote In October On Whether It Wants To House Canada’s Largest Nuclear Waste Dump:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/nuclear-waste-ontario-south-bruce-teeswater-nwmo-1.7190653"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/nuclear-waste-ontario-south-bruce-teeswater-nwmo-1.7190653</span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;">Nuclear waste has also been a contentious issue for a proposed facility at Chalk River. In late March an application for a judicial review was filed by a group that included Kebaowek First Nation, community leaders and non-profits:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - Community Groups File For Judicial Review Over Chalk River Nuclear Waste Facility:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/community-groups-file-for-judicial-review-over-chalk-river-nuclear-waste-facility-1.7157502"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/community-groups-file-for-judicial-review-over-chalk-river-nuclear-waste-facility-1.7157502</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"> </p><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">15) Ontario To Establish New Regional Office In Ottawa -</b> Doug Ford <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">has figured out Ottawa is part of Ontario he is opening a new “regional office” there. Who will be in charge? The failed PC candidate for Kanata-Carleton and former Shoppers Drug Mart executive, Sean Webster:</span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><a href="https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004499/ontario-to-establish-new-regional-office-in-ottawa" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004499/ontario-to-establish-new-regional-office-in-ottawa</span></a></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-5c27cf70-7fff-4249-0cfa-68db6faa6784"><br><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MPP Catherine Fife commented:</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><a href="https://x.com/cfifekw/status/1784976545951404427?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://x.com/cfifekw/status/1784976545951404427?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw</span></a></div><br><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>16) Hospital System Concerns -</b></span> Surprising inequity in hospital funding has been revealed by Minden papers (on Twitter X). While there are a number of ridings with hospitals that have significant (and growing) debt, one hospital (<span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 43, 43); color: rgb(43, 43, 43); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Mackenzie Health – Richmond Hill & Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital) </span>has had consistent surpluses with a shocking $60M surplus for 2023. This is in the King-Vaughan riding of Minister of Education Stephen Lecce. <span style="color: rgb(43, 43, 43); background-color: white;">It turns out the Cortellucci’s, one of the wealthy developers involved in Greenbelt scandal and the De Gasperis family who own land along the Hwy 413 route, have made massive donations to the hospital.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: rgb(43, 43, 43); background: white;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="http://mindenpaper.com/hospital-funding/">http://mindenpaper.com/hospital-funding/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;">The ER at Minden Hospital closure was announced last year with only 6 weeks notice and was a devastating blow to the community. The reason given was the hospital deficit. Recently the rural community of Durham (in Grey County) have concerns about the future of their hospital after the sudden transfer of patients to other hospitals. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/blindsided-grey-county-decries-durham-hospital-bed-removal-8667063">https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/blindsided-grey-county-decries-durham-hospital-bed-removal-8667063</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;">However, there are many hospitals operating with deficits - due to inadequate support from the province. It is clear Ontario has a healthcare crisis but this is a political choice. Last year the province set up a contingency fund:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Global News - Ontario Government Sets Aside $22 Billion In “Excess Funds”:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9762549/ontario-government-22-billion-excess-funds-fao/"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://globalnews.ca/news/9762549/ontario-government-22-billion-excess-funds-fao/</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;">The Ontario Healthcare Coalition is organizing a day of protest May 30th. Learn more: </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/">https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>17) How-to-Guide for What’s Possible in Intensification -</b></span> The City of Toronto has created a great guide on how to increase gentle density by showing possibilities with the most popular types of homes in Toronto. Be inspired and see what is possible at:</p><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Urban Toronto - A Guide Explores What Is Possible In The Yellow Belt</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2024/04/sustainability-month-rehousing-multiplex-how-guide-explores-whats-possible-yellowbelt.55760">https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2024/04/sustainability-month-rehousing-multiplex-how-guide-explores-whats-possible-yellowbelt.55760</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">18) Reminder - Next Meeting</b><b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> -</span></b> Join us tonight, <span dir="ltr">Friday, May 3rd</span> at 5:30pm online at the Zoom link below. </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 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"><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><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 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 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><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><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;"><br></font></b></div><div><div>Friday, May 3rd - 2:00pm - West 5 all-solar, net-zero neighbourhood tour in London - contact <a href="mailto:kevinthomason@mac.com">kevinthomason@mac.com</a> if you would like to join us.</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><br></div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><span dir="ltr">Friday, May 3rd</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 group 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><br></div><div>Saturday, May 4th - 1pm to 4pm - Guelph Community Climate Forum -<a href="https://guelphclimateactionnetwork.carrd.co/#communityclimateforum">https://guelphclimateactionnetwork.carrd.co/#communityclimateforum</a></div><div><div><div><br></div><div>Thursday May 9th - 7pm to 9pm - Stop Highway #413 Public Forum - Woodbridge Pool and Arena - www.stopthe413now.ca</div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday, May 22nd - 7pm - Reform Gravel Mining Coalition Day of Action Planning Meeting - <a href="https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/get_ready_for_the_provincial_day_of_action">https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/get_ready_for_the_provincial_day_of_action</a></div><div><br></div><div>June 8th - Day of Action to Protect From Aggregate Mining - <a href="https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/">https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/</a></div></div></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><b style="font-size: 14px;">-----------------------------------</b></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;">B) Bill 185 Waterloo Climate Collaborative Open Letter - Please sign on and speak up against the potential loss of almost all environmental protections in Waterloo Region!</font></b></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;"><br></font></b></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></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>