<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>Good Day,</div><div><br></div><div>The results are in from our poll and the majority of people would like to proceed with our Friday at 5:30pm Zoom call even at the start of a holiday weekend. So we are going to do a special 1/2 length meeting where we will discuss the latest news on the surprise last-minute Bill 185 extension, the Wilmot mega-industrial development, and the latest troubling approvals from the Legislature this week. Join us tonight at 5:30pm at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</div><div><br></div><div>And here’s the dial-in information in case you want to join from the car on the way the cottage:</div><div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One tap mobile</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>+17806660144,,82644695701#,,,,*713374# Canada</div></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Passcode: 713374</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dial by your location</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>+1 647 558 0588 Canada</div><div><br></div><div>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><br></p><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">1) Surprise Extension on Bill 185 -</b> This week was the deadline for comments on Bill 185 - The wrongly named Cutting Red Tape To Build More Homes Act with very troubling schedules to remove citizen’s rights to appeal at the OLT and remove Regional Planning Authority from upper-tier regions that could negatively impact all of our Waterloo Regional environmental protections such as our Countryside Line that we have counted on since not receiving any Greenbelt protection from the province almost 20 years ago.</div><div><br></div><div>Both Mark Reusser from the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture and myself (Kevin Thomason) on behalf of the Grand River Environmental Network were selected to appear before the Standing Committee on Bill 185 on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week at Queen’s Park where we made strong appeals to have Planning Authority retained by the Region of Waterloo to ensure that our environmental protections continue to protect our water, farmland, and ecological areas.</div><div><br></div><div>Our appearances each had very strong support from opposition parties with many feisty exchanges between MPP’s. Kudos to NDP MPP's Catherine Fife, Jessica Bell, and Sandy Shaw as well as Liberal MPPs Andrea Hazell and Mary Margaret McMahon, along with Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy for working hard and standing up to ensure that Waterloo Region with the most vulnerable drinking water recharge areas in Ontario doesn’t end up with the least amount of protections.</div><div><br></div><div>Credit needs to go to Kitchener-Conestoga Conservative MPP Mike Harris Jr though. who with just a few minutes remaining in the hearings and with less than one hour before the deadline for all comments and amendments made a surprise motion to extend the deadline for comments and amendments for Bill 185 for 9 days until Friday, May 24th at noon. This could allow amendments that could see Waterloo Region separated from other upper-tier regions losing Planning Authority and see a compromise for Waterloo Region that would retain Planning Authority and our visionary, sustainable Regional Official Plan but see a Delegated Approval Authority given to our lower-tier municipalities to allow them to do their own development approvals and planning provided that it is in conformity with the overall Regional Official Plan. </div><div><br></div><div>This could give our municipalities more independence and faster approvals while still ensuring a common regional vision and efficient co-ordination of resources through the expertise and decades of experience of the Region of Waterloo. It would also help to ensure that all of our Regional environmental protections continue to be overseen by the Region and continue to protect our lands and resources.</div><div><br></div><div>While the Environmental Registry (ERO) is officially closed, we now have until Friday, May 24th to e-mail the Standing Committee on Finance and Heritage directly to encourage them to adopt amendments to ensure that Waterloo Region can retain Planning Authority and our visionary Regional Official Plan:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> E-mail: <a href="mailto:planningconsultation@ontario.ca">planningconsultation@ontario.ca</a></div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-99573476-7fff-1f08-da02-8535754ad502"><p></p></span></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Media coverage -</b> includes this excellent article on the end of Smart Growth in Waterloo Region that we may now be able to prevent:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Big Changes Loom As Planning Authority Is Shifted From The Region Of Waterloo To Local Municipalities:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/big-changes-loom-as-planning-authority-is-shifted-from-the-region-of-waterloo-to-local/article_3e91f8e9-0661-55a1-8e8a-94b9968f0b9f.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/big-changes-loom-as-planning-authority-is-shifted-from-the-region-of-waterloo-to-local/article_3e91f8e9-0661-55a1-8e8a-94b9968f0b9f.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>ALO Webinar - </b>Watch the fantastic Alliance For a Liveable Ontario (ALO) Video on Bill 185 featuring Victor Doyle to learn more about how the province’s misguided housing plans will destroy farmland and worsen housing affordability:</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><b><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Actions Needed on Bill 185:</b></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Please write the Standing Committee at the e-mail address above and ask that:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Planning Authority be retained by the Region of Waterloo, and our Regional Official Plan remain intact to best protect and co-ordinate our growth, water, and infrastructure,</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>- Changes to Settlement Area Boundaries should not be permitted outside of regular municipal comprehensive review periods.</div></div><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><b style="font-size: 14px;">2) Wilmot Industrial Mega-Site Farm Land Assembly - </b>It is incredible to see so many lawn signs continuing to go up in Wilmot Township and across Waterloo Region! There are now more than 2,000 lawn signs around our communities stating firsthand that we are unwilling to host this secret mega-industrial site and additional massive development!</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><br></p><div><div><b>Lawn Signs - Fight For Farmland - </b>Order yours online, pick them up from local Sign Captains throughout Waterloo Region, and learn more at:</div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><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><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><br></div><div><b>New Fight For Farmland Flyer -</b> There is a new colourful informational flyer about the Wilmot farm land situation, information on how to learn more, as well as how to get lawn signs. Hundreds of these flyers have been distributed this week already. A PDF is attached below or check it out online at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65fca845277db5669ac677f7/t/66417342be32b57c3e7a229e/1715565383936/Fight+For+Farmland+one+page+flyer+%281%29.pdf">https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65fca845277db5669ac677f7/t/66417342be32b57c3e7a229e/1715565383936/Fight+For+Farmland+one+page+flyer+%281%29.pdf</a></div><div><br></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Volunteers Needed - Lawn Sign Distribution on Saturday - </b>On Saturday, there is an opportunity to distribute lawn signs, get petitions signed, and share the new Fight For Farmland flyers at the Seedling Sale at the Fertile Ground farm on Carmel Koch Road near St. Agatha. We need a couple of volunteers to help from 9am to 2pm. Please let us know if you can help for an hour or two Saturday by e-mailing the address below and we will provide more details:</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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="mailto:wilmotlandowners@gmail.com">wilmotlandowners@gmail.com</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div><b>Media coverage -</b> media continues with supportive articles and front page articles including:</div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - New Hamburg Land Grab A Strike At The Historic Heart:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/new-hamburg-land-grab-a-strike-at-the-historic-heart/article_3fc9dada-83be-5e07-85d1-35dab3d3f46e.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/new-hamburg-land-grab-a-strike-at-the-historic-heart/article_3fc9dada-83be-5e07-85d1-35dab3d3f46e.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - Canada’s Next EV Supply Chain Plant Landing In Port Colborne, Ontario:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/honda-asahi-kasei-lithium-ion-separator-plant-1.7202458">https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/honda-asahi-kasei-lithium-ion-separator-plant-1.7202458</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation Boss Breaks Silence On Wilmot Land Assembly:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/waterloo-region-economic-development-corporation-boss-breaks-silence-on-wilmot-land-assembly/article_f7deed34-6a49-56ed-a86f-4f895a819f3a.html">https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/waterloo-region-economic-development-corporation-boss-breaks-silence-on-wilmot-land-assembly/article_f7deed34-6a49-56ed-a86f-4f895a819f3a.html</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Detailed Blog -</b> Melissa Bowman continues her excellent overview with this latest blog article - Hush Hush In Wilmot (Part 3):</div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://citified.substack.com/p/hush-hush-in-wilmot-pt-3">https://citified.substack.com/p/hush-hush-in-wilmot-pt-3</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>3) Bill 162 - The Get It Done Act Approved -</b></span> The alarming Bill 162 was unfortunately rammed through the Legislature at Queen’s Park this week. This broad omnibus Bill will have particularly far-reaching consequences in Waterloo Region where it has forced open urban boundaries to enable thousands of acres of farmland loss for unnecessary urban sprawl. </div><div><br></div><div>These lands have now been handed to our local municipalities to approve development. We need to ensure that they safeguard them and see that these massive amounts of land are carefully planned, slowly staged with sustainable, efficient development with high levels of intensification - ensuring this land supply lasts for decades and doesn’t instead get all used up in just a few years time for low density, costly urban sprawl.</div><div><br></div><div>Here’s the latest media:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Smart Growth Is History In Waterloo Region As Bill 162 Passes:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/smart-growth-is-history-in-waterloo-region-as-bill-162-passes/article_0e01642c-fa8e-515a-8a1d-7e22ca2bd667.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/smart-growth-is-history-in-waterloo-region-as-bill-162-passes/article_0e01642c-fa8e-515a-8a1d-7e22ca2bd667.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And here are stories from a few weeks ago on the impacts Bill 162:</div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Record - Bill 162 Opening Thousands Of Acres To Developers:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/bill-162-opening-thousands-of-acres-to-developers/article_e7025e68-2f43-56fa-b98b-964c21fa64c6.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/bill-162-opening-thousands-of-acres-to-developers/article_e7025e68-2f43-56fa-b98b-964c21fa64c6.html</a></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Record - Development In Southwest Kitchener Threatens Drinking Water: Region Of Waterloo Report:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/development-in-southwest-kitchener-threatens-drinking-water-region-of-waterloo-report/article_b872906c-71c7-520e-88e8-50520785598d.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/development-in-southwest-kitchener-threatens-drinking-water-region-of-waterloo-report/article_b872906c-71c7-520e-88e8-50520785598d.html</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Bill 162 which is expected to be passed into law before Queen’s Park closes for the summer, will allow development where recharge areas for the underground aquifers are located that supply nearly all the tap water for most of the region’s population."</div><div><br></div><div>Astoundingly, the government has approved this Bill with no mapping of the impacted areas and few details of what lands have been approved for development. We will have to wait for maps in the weeks ahead to learn just how devastating things could be but we know that it is thousands and thousands of acres of Waterloo Region farmland to be destroyed.</div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>4) Bill 165 - Keeping Energy Costs Down Act Approved -</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 also approved Bill 165 this week despite considerable concerns and protest from across Ontario. This act confoundingly overrides</span><span style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"> the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) 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><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><br></div></div>Previous articles on the absurdity of Bill 165 include:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Globe And Mail - Why Is Ontario Taking From Homeowners To Subsidize Gas Companies?:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-why-is-ontario-taking-from-homeowners-to-subsidize-gas-companies/">https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-why-is-ontario-taking-from-homeowners-to-subsidize-gas-companies/</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Record - Ontario’s Bill 165 Will Increase Energy Costs And Fuel Global Warming:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/ontario-s-bill-165-will-increase-energy-costs-and-fuel-global-warming/article_33da380f-c3d1-5fed-90c6-41ed56dac9b9.html">https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/ontario-s-bill-165-will-increase-energy-costs-and-fuel-global-warming/article_33da380f-c3d1-5fed-90c6-41ed56dac9b9.html</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Great Op-Ed Article by CAPE and CHASE</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><b style="font-size: 14px;">5) David Suzuki Foundation Highway #413 Petition - </b>Take a minute to sign this petition from the David Suzuki Foundation regarding the troubling and astoundingly expensive proposal by the provincial government to destroy vast tracts of farmland and Greenbelt while threatening numerous endangered species for a $10 billion highway that would only save less than 1 minute on an average commute.</div><div><br></div><div>We don’t need polluting and wasteful highways. Speak up at: <a href="https://davidsuzuki.org/action/stop-highway-413/">https://davidsuzuki.org/action/stop-highway-413/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">6) Caledon Expansion and Rezoning - </b>The concerns about the troubling proposal to more than double the size of Caledon with unsustainable, urban sprawl development without any study or proper public process got even more concerning this week with the revelations that the lawyer involved in the Caledon rezoning has represented several developers who stand to benefit:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Trillium - Lawyer Involved In Caledon Rezoning Bylaws Has Represented Several Developers Who Stand To Benefit:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/lawyer-involved-in-caledon-rezoning-bylaws-has-represented-several-developers-who-stand-to-benefit-8702925">https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/lawyer-involved-in-caledon-rezoning-bylaws-has-represented-several-developers-who-stand-to-benefit-8702925</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">7) ALO Housing Report Ready - </b>The Alliance For A Liveable Ontario (ALO) has been working on a housing report since January that is now completed and a copy is attached below as PDF. Please review this report titled “Waking Action Together: Five Ways To Make Homes Affordable In Ontario and if you and/or your organization would like to endorse it please fill out the following online form:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQQjDY6W_oQAv25LZ9EPGP3soq_cYtc0YuSv_M8f3Pm_hP_A/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQQjDY6W_oQAv25LZ9EPGP3soq_cYtc0YuSv_M8f3Pm_hP_A/viewform</a></div><div><br></div><div>They hope to release the final report in June. In the meantime, please DO NOT share it with media yet.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">8) Demanding Participation and Transparency -</b> There have been some excellent articles recently on transparency and the importance of civic engagement. Check them out at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Policy Options - Demanding Participation and Transparent Policymaking In Urban Ontario:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQQjDY6W_oQAv25LZ9EPGP3soq_cYtc0YuSv_M8f3Pm_hP_A/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQQjDY6W_oQAv25LZ9EPGP3soq_cYtc0YuSv_M8f3Pm_hP_A/viewform</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Tyee - Pierre Poilievre And The Politics Of Intimidation:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2024/05/10/Pierre-Poilievre-Politics-Intimidation/">https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2024/05/10/Pierre-Poilievre-Politics-Intimidation/</a></div><div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">9) Other Articles -</b> Other good articles worth reading include a new local heritage corridor, positive news on green energy, and how trees can save lives:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Route To The Past: Kitchener Road To Be Named A Heritage Corridor:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/route-to-the-past-kitchener-road-to-be-named-a-heritage-corridor/article_e4f89593-b8fc-5e31-b9fa-9b33879e5fd8.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/route-to-the-past-kitchener-road-to-be-named-a-heritage-corridor/article_e4f89593-b8fc-5e31-b9fa-9b33879e5fd8.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Globe And Mail - Faster And Cheaper Than We Dared Think Possbile: Why A Global Leader In The Energy Transition Is Still Feeling Optimistic:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/new-hamburg-land-grab-a-strike-at-the-historic-heart/article_3fc9dada-83be-5e07-85d1-35dab3d3f46e.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/new-hamburg-land-grab-a-strike-at-the-historic-heart/article_3fc9dada-83be-5e07-85d1-35dab3d3f46e.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>iNews - How Trees Saved 153 Lives In London In 8 Years:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/trees-saved-lives-london-3017019">https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/trees-saved-lives-london-3017019</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">10) Catherine Fife’s Bill 189 -</b> It was unfortunate to see the provincial government send to Committee Bill 189, Lydia’s Law - Accountability And Transparency In The Handling of Sexual Assault Cases, 2024. This Bill focusses on the thousands of sexual assault cases that have been withdrawn or stayed before trial and requests that numerous Auditor General recommendations be adopted by the provincial government. Please speak up to elected officials and help to ensure that Bill 189 is finally approved and doesn’t die in committee.</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CityNews - “Today Was Emotional”: Waterlo MPP Fights Back Tears After Sex Assault Bill Sent To Committee:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/05/15/waterloo-mpp-fights-back-tears-at-queens-park-after-sex-assault-bill-sent-to-committee/?">https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/05/15/waterloo-mpp-fights-back-tears-at-queens-park-after-sex-assault-bill-sent-to-committee/?</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>11) Reform Gravel Mining - Provincial Day of Action, June 8th </b></span>- In about a month’s time, communities across the province will participate in the first-ever Day of Action To Protect Ontario From Gravel Mining. Learn more by attending the online planning meeting on Wedensday, May 22nd at 7pm:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/provincial-day-of-action">https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/provincial-day-of-action</a></div><div><br></div><div>And mark your calendars for June 8th.</div><div><br></div><div><div><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><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><div><b style="font-size: 14px;"><br></b></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">13) Reminder - Next Meeting</b><b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> -</span></b> Join us tonight, <span dir="ltr">Friday, May 17th</span> at 5:30pm online for a short holiday weekend version of our meeting 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 dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><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></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div 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 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;">A) Upcoming Events</font></b></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><b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday, May 17th at 5:30pm -<font color="#26282a"> Next group update meeting on Zoom - </font></span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-weight: 400;">https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</a></b></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></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><br></div><div>Saturday, May 18th - 11:00am - Volunteer to help distribute Fight For Farmland flyers & lawnsigns - Fertile Ground Farm - e-mail: wilmotlandowners@gmail.com</div></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>Wednesday, May 22nd at 7pm - Reform Gravel Mining Planning Meeting for June 8th Day of Action - <a href="https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/provincial-day-of-action">https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/provincial-day-of-action</a></div><div><div><br></div><div><div><span dir="ltr">Wednesday, May 22nd from 6pm to 8pm - Film screening and discussion afterwards - Free! Green Party presents Living Below The Line - Princess Cinema - 46 King St. Waterloo - </span><a href="https://vote.greenparty.ca/rsvp/eve_ef93f7c21">https://vote.greenparty.ca/rsvp/eve_ef93f7c21</a></div><div><span dir="ltr"><br></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">Friday, May 24th</span><b style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span dir="ltr"> 11:59pm</span> - Extended deadline for comments and amendments on Bill 185 - e-mail to: </span></b><a href="mailto:planningconsultation@ontario.ca">planningconsultation@ontario.ca</a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Saturday, June 8th - Provincial Day of Action Against Gravel Mining - <a href="https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/provincial-day-of-action">https://www.reformgravelmining.ca/provincial-day-of-action</a></div></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 style="font-size: 14px;"><b>-----------------------------</b></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><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>B) New Fight For Farmland Flyer:</b></span></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div></div></body></html>