<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>Good Day,</div><div><br></div><div>As the 5 months long summer “break” from the provincial legislature continues, the news and activities has not slowed down. Join the fun on Friday and let Doug Ford hear your concerns directly as we protest at FordFest in Milton, the Region of Waterloo passes a surprise motion promising not to shred anymore corn in Wilmot, the RCMP Greenbelt investigation is in the news, and which Cabinet Minister should we believe? Here’s the latest:</div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>1) Protest At FordFest Friday, August 16th 4pm to 6pm </b>-</span> Doug Ford is hosting his annual FordFest in Milton on Friday, August 16th to celebrate his so-called “accomplishments”. <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Environmental groups, labour unions, teachers, nurses, healthcare professionals, and many others are working together to surpass the protest at Bingeman’s FordFest last September which was the lead item on newscasts across Ontario as our number of protesters outside greatly outnumbered the attendees inside.</span></div><div><br></div><div>There will be buses provided from New Hamburg/Baden, Kitchener, Hamilton, and Toronto. Please sign-up on the Ontario Federation of Labour website to be kept updated on the latest information and organizing details:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://ofl.ca/event/thankdougford-for-getting-it-done/">https://ofl.ca/event/thankdougford-for-getting-it-done/</a></div><div><br></div><div>The bus from Kitchener-Waterloo will be starting at the Wilmot Recreation Centre (1291 Nafizger Road, Baden) at 3:30pm then travelling onto Kitchener and leaving Fairview Park Mall at 4:00pm on Friday and returning around 7pm to Kitchener and 7:30pm to Baden/New Hamburg. At the Wilmot Recreation Centre meet on the East side by the playground and splash pad. In Kitchener, meet outside the mall entrance by Tim Horton’s and Food Court (north side of the mall facing Kingsway drive) near Walmart. Here’s maps and the Google Form to fill out to reserve a free seat on the bus:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Map of where to meet in Wilmot - <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Wilmot+Splash+Pad/@43.3892366,-80.6837727,1151m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x882c070ba1e8c183:0x2eba27fd68a6760e!8m2!3d43.3892366!4d-80.6811978!16s%2Fg%2F11g8tzkp2s?hl=en&entry=ttu">https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Wilmot+Splash+Pad/@43.3892366,-80.6837727,1151m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x882c070ba1e8c183:0x2eba27fd68a6760e!8m2!3d43.3892366!4d-80.6811978!16s%2Fg%2F11g8tzkp2s?hl=en&entry=ttu</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Map of where to meet in Kitchener - <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Tim+Hortons/@43.4251324,-80.4396781,288m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x882b8ad956aaaaab:0x1d48b828d2542417!8m2!3d43.425302!4d-80.438729!16s%2Fg%2F11b5wmst1_?entry=ttu">https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Tim+Hortons/@43.4251324,-80.4396781,288m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x882b8ad956aaaaab:0x1d48b828d2542417!8m2!3d43.425302!4d-80.438729!16s%2Fg%2F11b5wmst1_?entry=ttu</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Reserve your seat on the bus - <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeu07s6sy4gt7F6wAKemkG1yM3M4k4fxUpU1e0xaAfR0Y0q3g/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeu07s6sy4gt7F6wAKemkG1yM3M4k4fxUpU1e0xaAfR0Y0q3g/viewform</a></div><div><br></div><div>If you plan to drive to Milton, the FordFest event is at the Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton Ontario L9T 2X3 though parking will be at the Milton Baptist Church at 88 Tremaine Road with shuttle buses available.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Action Required -</b> Hopefully you can join the fun to help send a strong message to the Premier. It’s the perfect opportunity to show that we are unwilling and we are planning lots of Fight For Farmland signage.</div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>2) Which Minister Do You Believe? </b></span>- <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: ArialMT, serif;">Citizens are wondering which cabinet minister to believe after Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Agri- Food and Agri-Business admitted to CityNews reporters on August 7</span><span style="font-size: 6pt; font-family: ArialMT, serif; position: relative; top: -4pt;">th </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: ArialMT, serif;">that the province is funding the very controversial Wilmot mega-industrial site land assembly. This is in stark contrast to numerous statements made by Minister of Red Tape Reduction Mike Harris Jr. who has consistently claimed for months that this is a local Township of Wilmot and Region of Waterloo initiative with no provincial involvement. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div><br></div><div><div>So which Minister do we believe? The new Minister who claims the province is funding it all, or the new Minister that claims there is no provincial involvement and has been blaming others since the onset with no indication that he has even been to Wilmot Township anytime in the past five months? Will Mike Harris Jr. ever visit Wilmot?</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div>Hundreds of people have watched the video of each Cabinet Minister’s statements. See for yourself at:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0EAjWXCvRM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0EAjWXCvRM</a></div><div><br></div><div>And here’s some local news reports about these conflicting statements from our provincial government:</div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>StratfordToday.ca - Citizens Decry Secrecy On 770 Acre Industrial Land Assembly In Wilmot:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.stratfordtoday.ca/local-news/citizens-decry-secrecy-on-770-acre-industrial-land-assembly-in-wilmot-9345572">https://www.stratfordtoday.ca/local-news/citizens-decry-secrecy-on-770-acre-industrial-land-assembly-in-wilmot-9345572</a></div><div><br></div></div><div><b>*************************</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Breaking News - </b>Just as we were about to send this update, provincial ministers Vic Fedeli and Mike Harris Jr. have issued a statement stating that while the province is indeed funding the Wilmot land assembly, the Region of Waterloo is to blame for everything. It certainly appears that the province is throwing the Region under the bus and there is no explanation as to why Mike Harris has consistently denied provincial involvement until today. <b> </b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>It is astounding to see some of the wording being used in the statement such as:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- “given the region’s lack of transparency in its land assembly process, we feel it necessary to clarify our government’s involvement”, however we understand that it is the province that hides behind an NDA and insisted on secrecy from the onset of this land assembly.</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- “while the province is supporting the Region of Waterloo with funding to help purchase land, it is the sole responsibility of the region to assemble the site and work collaboratively with all affected communities and stakeholders”, however MPP Mike Harris Jr. has consistently denied any provincial responsibility in this land assembly.</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- “we want to underline that they (efforts to attract investment) must always be conducted in a fair and respectful manner. This is a principle we strongly uphold, and we urge the Region of Waterloo to do the same.”, however so many recent provincial government decisions have been made bypassing all proper planning processes, necessary public consultation, and dialog. Actions such as Bill 185 removing citizen’s appeal rights are completely unfair and disrespectful to the public.</div><div><br></div><div>A copy of the statement from the Ministers is attached below in Section C) and here’s breaking media coverage of it:</div><div><b><br></b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CityNews - MPP Harris Says Province Helping To Fund Wilmot Land Assembly:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/15/mpp-harris-says-province-will-be-helping-fund-wilmot-land-assembly/">https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/15/mpp-harris-says-province-will-be-helping-fund-wilmot-land-assembly/</a></div><div><br></div><div>This surprise statement certainly provides the Region of Waterloo with so much opportunity to abandon this absurd site and start with a fresh approach using proper planning processes and extensive community consultation to choose a better location for a mega-industrial site that is far more congruent with expectations, our Regional Official Plan, and decades of previous planning protecting farmland as well as our groundwater.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><b>*************************</b></div></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><br></div><div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">3) Region Of Waterloo Approves Motion Regarding Wilmot Corn Destruction -</b> In a surprise motion on Tuesday, Region of Waterloo Councillors unanimously passed a motion committing to not destroying any other crops in Wilmot Township and requested a staff report on the absurd and very expensive destruction of 160 acres of corn.</div><div><br></div><div>Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen introduced the motion which acknowledges the crop was only 5 or 6 weeks away from proper harvest and the destruction violated the Region’s Strategic Plan as well as conflicts with the Provincial Agri-food Strategy. The motion also states that Regional Council will be provided of advance notice of any further work occurring on the lands purchased by the Region of Waterloo for the land assembly though given that this massive mega-site is one of the largest investments of tax dollars in the Region’s history one would have hoped that Councillors would have been well informed and involved in decisions to date.</div><div><br></div><div>Once again, this motion shows how out of touch the Region is with Wilmot citizens, the many other serious concerns about this mega-industrial site, and the entire process to date that has yet to have a single public meeting or any studies or research released.</div><div><br></div><div>Here’s some of the media reports about this new motion:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CBC - No More Crops Will Be Destroy On Wilmot Township Lands Purchased By Region: Council:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/wilmot-farmland-crops-region-buying-motion-salonen-1.7294283">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/wilmot-farmland-crops-region-buying-motion-salonen-1.7294283</a></div><div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CityNews - Councillors Request Report To Seek Answers On Wilmot Corn Crop Destruction:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/14/regional-councillors-to-seek-answers-on-wilmot-corn-field-destruction-requests-report/?">https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/14/regional-councillors-to-seek-answers-on-wilmot-corn-field-destruction-requests-report/?</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Waterloo Region Purchased Farm Land For Development, Then Destroyed The Corn Crop. Now Councillors Want Answers:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-region-purchased-farm-land-for-development-then-destroyed-the-corn-crop-now-councillors-want/article_4b6b383d-3ce0-5f81-b02e-481674d6a834.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-region-purchased-farm-land-for-development-then-destroyed-the-corn-crop-now-councillors-want/article_4b6b383d-3ce0-5f81-b02e-481674d6a834.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">4) Fight For Farmland Challenges Wilmot Township To Declare It’s Unwilling -</b> This week Fight For Farmland spokesperson Alfred Lowrick met with Wilmot Township Mayor Natasha Salonen to deliver a letter on behalf of the Fight for Farmland group. The letter calls on Mayor Salonen to declare Wilmot Township an Unwilling Host until the next Regional Official Plan Review, revert back to our strongly approved Regional Official Plan with its focus on sustainability and farmland protection, and ensure proper planning as well as public consultation processes for any future mega- industrial site investigation. The letter also reminds Mayor Salonen of the promises she made during her election campaign.</div><div><div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>Along with the letter, Alfred included a list of 70+ questions concerning the proposed developments, requested the release of studies supporting the proposed Wilmot mega-industrial site land acquisition, and urged public meetings to explain the rationale of prime farmland for development – particularly when this 770-acre site is far outside the Countryside Line, protected by the Region of Waterloo's Official Plan, and its development violates Section 24(1) of the Provincial Planning Act.</p><p>We are hopeful that Wilmot Township will finally listen to our unwilling farmers, our other unwilling landowners, and our very unwilling community and declare that Wilmot Township is an unwilling host at their next Council meeting on August 26th.</p></div></div></div></div><div>Here’s a link to the letter:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65fca845277db5669ac677f7/t/66bd1f609b431f0b6ea59d09/1723670368635/Council+Letter+August+12.pdf">https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65fca845277db5669ac677f7/t/66bd1f609b431f0b6ea59d09/1723670368635/Council+Letter+August+12.pdf</a></div><div><br></div><div>And here’s a link to the 20+ questions:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65fca845277db5669ac677f7/t/66bd1f7ab54e621c19024301/1723670394524/Wilmot+Land+Acquisition+20%2B+Questions.pdf">https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65fca845277db5669ac677f7/t/66bd1f7ab54e621c19024301/1723670394524/Wilmot+Land+Acquisition+20%2B+Questions.pdf</a></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; 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;">Action Required - </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; 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;">Please continue to e-mail and call Wilmot Councillors and Mayor Salonen to urge them to represent their constituents who have made it overwhelmingly clear that we are unwilling and declare that Wilmot Township is an unwilling host.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">5) <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;">Upcoming Fight For Farmland Rallies and Protests -</span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; 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;"> In addition to Friday's protest at FordFest in Milton, we are planning large protests on Monday August 26th at Wilmot Township Council, and Wednesday, August 28th at Waterloo Regional Council for our communities to show firsthand that we are unwilling. Please save the dates and watch for more information on these upcoming events.</span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-ea6bd9dd-7fff-b32e-48d5-5ffa57516fdd"><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.569333; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; 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><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; 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;">Wilmot Township Council: 60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden - </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; 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;">Monday, August 26, 2024 - 5:30 pm (council meets at 7:00 pm)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.569333; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; 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><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; 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;">Region of Waterloo Council: 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; 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;">- Wednesday, August 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm</span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Significant media coverage continues on the Wilmot mega-industrial site including these excellent articles:</div><div><br></div></span></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Canadian Mennonite - From Fresh Cabbage To Shovel-Ready Industrial Land:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://canadianmennonite.org/stories/fresh-cabbage-shovel-ready-industrial-land">https://canadianmennonite.org/stories/fresh-cabbage-shovel-ready-industrial-land</a><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - Manufacturing Has Diminished. Is Creating Factory Lands In Wilmot A Ticket To Prosperity?:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/manufacturing-has-diminished-is-creating-factory-lands-in-wilmot-a-ticket-to-prosperity/article_ad4cbca6-a135-50e9-baa5-6f9b1c16e0b0.html">https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/manufacturing-has-diminished-is-creating-factory-lands-in-wilmot-a-ticket-to-prosperity/article_ad4cbca6-a135-50e9-baa5-6f9b1c16e0b0.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - What’s In Our Water:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/what-s-in-our-water/article_c18a4f88-e289-5ec5-800f-0a8c8e8ac2a7.html">https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/what-s-in-our-water/article_c18a4f88-e289-5ec5-800f-0a8c8e8ac2a7.html</a></div><div><br></div></div><div>And here’s an article about government incentives for EV industrial plant expansion in Napanee:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CityNews - Goodyear Spending $575 Million To Expand Ontario Plant To Produce EV Tires:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/12/goodyear-spending-575m-to-expand-ontario-plant-produce-ev-tires-2/?">https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/12/goodyear-spending-575m-to-expand-ontario-plant-produce-ev-tires-2/?</a></div><div><br></div><div>And attached below are some excellent recent Letters to the Editor. Keep up the great writing!</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; 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;">Action Required - </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; 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;">Please continue to speak up, join upcoming rallies/protests, and continue to show that our communities are unwilling!</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; 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;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">6) Greenbelt Scandal Continues With RCMP Investigation -</b> It seems that the RCMP has finally started to interview key figures and witnesses involved in the Greenbelt scandal:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - “We Have Nothing To Hide” Doug Ford Says As RCMP Interviews Potential Witnesses Linked To Ontario Government In Greenbelt Criminal Probe:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/we-have-nothing-to-hide-doug-ford-says-as-rcmp-interviews-potential-witnesses-linked-to/article_afff8828-55ea-11ef-995e-fb0f05abd10a.html?source=newsletter&utm_content=a01&utm_source=ts_sa&utm_medium=email&utm_email=2DF5A405D6082D2C0C4FDB5202BCAE69&utm_campaign=ford_friend_218088">https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/we-have-nothing-to-hide-doug-ford-says-as-rcmp-interviews-potential-witnesses-linked-to/article_afff8828-55ea-11ef-995e-fb0f05abd10a.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>CityNews - RCMP Interviewing Current And Former Ford Staffers As Part Of Greenbelt Investigation:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/09/rcmp-interviewing-current-and-former-ford-staffers-as-part-of-greenbelt-investigation/?">https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/08/09/rcmp-interviewing-current-and-former-ford-staffers-as-part-of-greenbelt-investigation/?</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - As RCMP Investigates Greenbelt Scandal, Finance Minister Says Ford Government Is “An Open Book”:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/politics/provincial/as-rcmp-investigates-greenbelt-scandal-finance-minister-says-ford-government-is-an-open-book/article_142f8a4a-b974-5074-8754-305aecae5052.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign&utm_content=ap_wiidt0atq3">https://www.therecord.com/politics/provincial/as-rcmp-investigates-greenbelt-scandal-finance-minister-says-ford-government-is-an-open-book/article_142f8a4a-b974-5074-8754-305aecae5052.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">7) Ford Government Continues Confounding And Inappropriate Appointments - </b>Thanks to the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition for pointing out some of the recent patronage appointments made my Premier Doug Ford that defy logic including:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rocco Vacca (a longtime lawyer for developers specializing in urban sprawl) has been appointed to be the Chair of the Niagara Escarpment Commission on July 1, 2024</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Here’s the announcement: <a href="https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/Agency/367">https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/Agency/367</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Here’s Rocco’s professional profile detailing decades of advocating to pave over natural spaces and farmland - <a href="https://sullivanmahoney.com/lawyers/rocco-rocky-vacca/">https://sullivanmahoney.com/lawyers/rocco-rocky-vacca/</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Marvin Geist (a development lawyer involved in one of the most controversial developments (Friday Harbour/Big Bay Point) on Lake Simcoe that has been mired in turmoil) has been appointed Lake Simcoe Science Committee Chair (all past Chairs have been scientist as you would expect).</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Here’s the announcement: <a href="https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/AgencyBios/224?appointmentId=13028">https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/AgencyBios/224?appointmentId=13028</a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div>Group member Joan Faux has noted numerous other very concerning recent appointments that can be found in the following document: </div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZT8oMGzjbDq5a9G8hk-CpXjimLkTS6HPTEDNwRxZvAw/edit">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZT8oMGzjbDq5a9G8hk-CpXjimLkTS6HPTEDNwRxZvAw/edit</a></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size: small;"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size: small;"><br></div><div class="gmail_default"><b style="font-size: 14px;">8) Recent Articles </b><b>- </b>Include huge population growth, the Whitby Mayor scoring a new hospital, and Guelph leading with innovative homes:</div><div class="gmail_default"><br></div><div class="gmail_default"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - Ontario Experienced A Decade’s Worth Of Population Growth In Just Three Years. We Can’t Support That Growth Without Building Way More Homes:</div><div class="gmail_default"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/ontario-experienced-a-decades-worth-of-population-growth-in-just-three-years-we-cant-support/article_88bc8f4c-53f9-11ef-9cd7-f393809d2fb1.html">https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/ontario-experienced-a-decades-worth-of-population-growth-in-just-three-years-we-cant-support/article_88bc8f4c-53f9-11ef-9cd7-f393809d2fb1.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Toronto Star - Doug Ford Said He Wouldn’t Be Bullied By This Ontario Mayor So How Did She Get Her Way?:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/doug-ford-said-he-wouldn-t-be-bullied-by-this-ontario-mayor-so-how-did/article_8a846b96-55b7-11ef-9476-9f5fe4a72a0f.html">https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/doug-ford-said-he-wouldn-t-be-bullied-by-this-ontario-mayor-so-how-did/article_8a846b96-55b7-11ef-9476-9f5fe4a72a0f.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Record - The IKEA Of House Building - Guelph-based Pacd Homes Provides Another Way To Increase Housing Supply:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.therecord.com/business/the-ikea-of-house-building-guelph-based-pacd-homes-provides-another-way-to-increase-housing/article_8415fec6-0bfd-5621-8ca1-1b3f7eba630b.html">https://www.therecord.com/business/the-ikea-of-house-building-guelph-based-pacd-homes-provides-another-way-to-increase-housing/article_8415fec6-0bfd-5621-8ca1-1b3f7eba630b.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">9) Cooperate For Canada - Ontario Election Launch - </b>The Cooperate For Canada launch that is urging cooperation between the NDP, Liberals, and Green Parties is continuing with their a new campaign specifically for the Ontario provincial election which could be called as early as this autumn. Details of this new campaign are available at:</div><div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://cooperateforcanada.ca/ontario/" target="_blank">https://cooperateforcanada.ca/ontario/</a></div><div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">There is a new Ontario brochure that can be downloaded at:</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/111/357/original/Cooperate_for_Canada_Ontario_Brochure.pdf">https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/111/357/original/Cooperate_for_Canada_Ontario_Brochure.pdf</a></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">And learn specifically about Doug Ford’s record as Premier with a significant list of issues and crises we are facing:</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://cooperateforcanada.ca/2024/07/16/ontario-premier-doug-fords-record/">https://cooperateforcanada.ca/2024/07/16/ontario-premier-doug-fords-record/</a></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">As well, please sign up on social media to learn more and share with others:</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cooperate4Canada">https://www.facebook.com/Cooperate4Canada</a></div><div dir="auto"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Twitter/X -<a href="https://x.com/coopr84canada">https://x.com/coopr84canada</a></div><div dir="auto"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cooperateforcanada/">https://www.instagram.com/cooperateforcanada/</a></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><b>Action Required -</b> Please share information about this new organization and campaign widely with your networks and sign up for their social media.</div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br></div></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">10) Greenspace Carve Outs Coming Soon To A Conservation Area Near You </b>- Kudos to Guelph activist Susan Watson for her ongoing work to protect the Niska Lands and better guide the Grand River Conservation Authority. Here’s an excellent blog post on the Environmental Defence website written by her about the provincial governments efforts to destroy our greenspace:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/08/14/premier-fords-greenspace-carve-outs-coming-soon-to-a-conservation-area-near-you/">https://environmentaldefence.ca/2024/08/14/premier-fords-greenspace-carve-outs-coming-soon-to-a-conservation-area-near-you/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">11) Additional Media </b><b>- </b>Include alarming homelessness numbers, our failing healthcare system is no joke, and how many cabinet ministers does it take to open a veterinary clinic?:</div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Trillium - Appalling Statistics (‘unofficial’) About The Homeless In Ontario - Impacting Approximately 3 Out Of 200, Or 234,000 People:</div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/housing/ontarios-unofficial-estimate-of-homeless-population-is-234000-documents-9341464" 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.thetrillium.ca/news/housing/ontarios-unofficial-estimate-of-homeless-population-is-234000-documents-9341464</span></a></div><div><br></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-87cb38a5-7fff-2251-b9c6-835fa3fe5bb1"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>CBC - Youth Homelessness Is On The Rise In Waterloo Region And Expected To Continue:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/waterloo-region-youth-homelessness-on-rise-1.7294168">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/waterloo-region-youth-homelessness-on-rise-1.7294168</a></div><div><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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A tragedy of homelessness:</span></div><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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There were no beds for her in Hamilton. Melanie Burnett died alone in London:</span></div><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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/there-were-no-beds-for-her-in-hamilton-melanie-burnett-died-alone-in-london/article_59e78d6f-a1df-528d-81d1-702874a0255f.html" 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.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/there-were-no-beds-for-her-in-hamilton-melanie-burnett-died-alone-in-london/article_59e78d6f-a1df-528d-81d1-702874a0255f.html</span></a></div><br><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In case you ever wonder how many cabinet ministers (along with the Premier!) does it take to open a veterinary clinic? </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We found out Tuesday, along with the fact Ontario Minister of Health, Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones is excited enough about a new facility that will provide “comprehensive and compassionate care for small animals and equine patients closer to home” to post about it on TwitterX - </span><a href="https://x.com/SylviaJonesMPP/status/1823443250343993843" 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/SylviaJonesMPP/status/1823443250343993843</span></a></div><div><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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Background story - </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; 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-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://x.com/itzmekatherine/status/1823570297355653325?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw" style="text-decoration: none;">https://x.com/itzmekatherine/sta<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>tus/1823570297355653325?s=46&t=XLYcxxaKfwXm7EGqQ-olxw</a></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.yorkregion.com/news/canines-have-howlin-good-time-at-dog-tales-rescue-and-sanctuary/article_78388d9c-39c9-510a-a426-4598ac140774.html">https://www.yorkregion.com/news/canines-have-howlin-good-time-at-dog-tales-rescue-and-sanctuary/article_78388d9c-39c9-510a-a426-4598ac140774.html</a></div><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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Speaking of appalling, at this same event Doug Ford made jokes about sending hospital overflow patients to the King City Veterinary Clinic:</span></div><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;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2024/08/13/premier-ford-jokes-that-hospital-overflow-can-go-to-new-animal-hospital/" 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://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2024/08/13/premier-ford-jokes-that-hospital-overflow-can-go-to-new-animal-hospital/</span></a></div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Hamilton Spectator - Opposition Slams Doug Ford For Jokes About Animal Hospital:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/opposition-slams-doug-ford-for-joke-about-animal-hospital/article_58cc7a2d-4dec-5a7f-8659-c0b8c09fc715.html">https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/opposition-slams-doug-ford-for-joke-about-animal-hospital/article_58cc7a2d-4dec-5a7f-8659-c0b8c09fc715.html</a></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>12) Greenbelt Party Sept 29th -</b></span> Greenbelt Promise has announced a Greenbelt fundraiser on Sunday, September 29th from 12pm to 5pm with live music, barn dancing, local food, and family activities to further protection of the Greenbelt at the Bela Farm in Hillsburgh. There’ll be amazing food, local beverages, and contra dancing!</div><div><br></div><div>Learn more and purchase your tickets at:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-barn-dance-at-bela-farm-tickets-970443391307">https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-barn-dance-at-bela-farm-tickets-970443391307</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div><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><b style="font-size: 14px;">13) Reminder - Next Meeting</b><b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> -</span></b> Join us next <span dir="ltr">Friday, August 23rd</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 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, Mike Marcolongo, and Joan Faux 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></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 dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto"><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><b style="font-size: 14px;">-----------------------------------</b></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font color="#26282a" face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><b style="font-size: 14px;">A) </b></font></span><b style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Upcoming Events </b><span style="color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">- Get out and get involved!</span></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;"><br></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>Friday, August 16th - Rally/Protest at Ford Fest at the Country Heritage Park in Milton - sign up and get details at: <a href="https://ofl.ca/event/thankdougford-for-getting-it-done/">https://ofl.ca/event/thankdougford-for-getting-it-done/</a></div><div><br></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday, August 23rd at 5:30pm -<font color="#26282a"> Next group update meeting on Zoom -</font><font color="#0056d6"> </font></span><font color="#0056d6" style="caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09">https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09</a></font></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Friday, August 23rd to Sunday, August 25th - Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow Mississaugas Of The Credit - <a href="https://newcreditcc.com/?service=pow-wow-schedule-fees">https://newcreditcc.com/?service=pow-wow-schedule-fees</a></div><div><br></div><div>Monday, August 26th - 5:30pm - Wilmot Township Council Meeting Protest Rally - <a href="http://www.fightforfarmland.com/">www.fightforfarmland.com</a></div><div><br></div><div><div>Monday, August 26th - 7pm - City of Kitchener ClimateActionWR/Waterloo Climate Collaborative Council Delegation - <a href="https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/appear-as-a-delegation.aspx">https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/appear-as-a-delegation.aspx</a></div><div></div></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wednesday, August 28th at 6:30pm -</span></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Fight For Farmland Rally at </span></font><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Region of Waterloo Council - 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener - </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.fightforfarmland.com/">www.fightforfarmland.com</a></span></div><div><div><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday, September 29th from 12pm to 5pm - Greenbelt Party in Hillsburgh - </span></font><a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-barn-dance-at-bela-farm-tickets-970443391307">https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gather-barn-dance-at-bela-farm-tickets-970443391307</a></div><div><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><div><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto"><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 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><b style="font-size: 14px;">-----------------------------</b></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;">B) </b><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>FordFest Protest - Friday, August 16th 4pm to 6pm:</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></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://ofl.ca/event/thankdougford-for-getting-it-done/">https://ofl.ca/event/thankdougford-for-getting-it-done/</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div></div></div></div></body></html>