[GREN-Exec] GREN groups need to be aware and weigh in

Thu Feb 18 21:24:34 EST 2021

Hi John,

Interesting e-mail.  I would agree with Theresa - this is certainly right in our backyard, impacts a huge part of the Grand River Watershed, and ourselves along with the Wellington Water Watchers are the two groups best positioned (perhaps the only two groups other than Ella’s in Brantford…) able to lead the charge on this.  The proposed area includes considerable portions of Waterloo Region, Wellington County, and Brant County all the way to Brantford.

The emerging concensus is that this a not a real Greenbelt expansion excercise by the province but a Greenwashing activity being used to distract from the awful things that the Ford government is doing elsewhere.  There is even some backlash and anger to groups such as the Greenbelt Foundation that have appeared to compliment the government and applaud this recent announcement.

From the best that we can gather - this is not a consultation to grow the Greenbelt - Minister Clark was very clear on the radio this morning that they are only willing to consider expansion to the Paris-Galt Moraine and some Urban River Valleys (but only to publicly owned lands within those river valleys - lands that are not facing any development pressures in any way currently).  Since 21 Urban River Valleys already received protection in Greenbelt expansion by Premier Wynne in 2016 it appears that the only Urban River Valleys they are willing to consider are the Speed and Eramosa Rivers in Guelph and Cambridge of which the publicly owned parts are extremely limited and certainly aren’t the most pressing places in Ontario needing Greenbelt protection.

Also, if they were sincere about expanding the Greenbelt to the Paris-Galt Moraine they should simply stop stalling on Mike Schriner's Bill 71 that has already passed first and second reading and this could be completed rapidly - why go back to the drawing board and start all over again?  

The Minister has made it clear in questioning that they are not willing to consider any other Greenbelt expansions (such as to Waterloo or Simcoe, etc. at this point) and that things have already been decided.  Leading many to wonder the purpose of this entire exercise.

There is a meeting of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance Steering Committee on Monday at 1:00pm where we are going to try to figure out how we can best call out the government on this - ie. release a Greenbelt map showing the areas they are considering for expansion (very tiny) along with the areas they are destroying through MZO’s, new highways, infrastructure, development, etc. (quite significant). 

Please share any ideas on how you think that we should proceed and how we can portray reality to the public.  

I think that GREN should definitely work with CELA on this.  I think that we should also reach out to Mike Shriner regarding Bill 71 and his extreme negativity to this announcement so far as well as reach out the Wellington Water Watchers.  I did have a meeting today with Guelph federal MP Lloyd Longfield where he expressed his confusion and dismay about the Ford government, their actions with this announcement and the same concerns that I have so far.  It would also be good to have some feedback from the local municipalities, the Region of Waterloo, Cambridge, Brant County and Wellington County.  I have to imagine that most are going to be quite opposed to Greenbelt expansion.  Much of this proposed area is gravel pits who are also going to be opposed and few citizens are left residing in much of this area - hence it falling to us and the WWW to speak for the people.

Looking at the mapping one does really have to ask how they can focus so much on the Paris-Galt Moraine at the complete exclusion of the adjacent and conjoined Waterloo Moraine.  I’d love to hear Mike Harris my Conservative MPP justify that one and explain why one warrants protection and not the other.  Both are covered by Waterloo Region ESL’s, Protected Countryside and Countryside Line policies.  The Map even seems to have been so hastily constructed that it doesn’t even follow their own guidelines of contiguous lands, instead showing numerous stand alone portions around Guelph, Cambridge and Brantford (attached below).

I realize that few of us have the time or resources for this, however, we do need to rise to the occasion.  I will keep you posted on what I can learn and how things go at the OGA Monday meeting.

Please share any thoughts or ideas.

Cheers,
Kevin.

———————————————

Learn more at:

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-3136

—————————————

> On Feb 18, 2021, at 12:58 PM, John Jackson <jjackson at web.ca> wrote:
> 
> See here what CELA os planning on doing and offer to help us out. To translate internal CELA code among CELA staff and Board members, PLE means Public Legal Education.
> 
> What do we want to do with this?
> 
> John
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> John Jackson
> 17 Major Street
> Kitchener N2H 4R1
> 519-744-7503
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>> From: Theresa McClenaghan <theresa at cela.ca <mailto:theresa at cela.ca>>
>> Subject: Re: GREN groups need to be aware and weigh in
>> Date: February 18, 2021 at 11:37:56 AM EST
>> To: John Jackson <jjackson at web.ca <mailto:jjackson at web.ca>>
>> Cc: Anastasia Lintner <anastasia at cela.ca <mailto:anastasia at cela.ca>>
>> 
>> with link:
>>  https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-3136 <https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-3136>
>> 
>> 
>> Le jeu. 18 févr. 2021, à 11 h 37, Theresa McClenaghan <theresa at cela.ca <mailto:theresa at cela.ca>> a écrit :
>> Anastasia and I will be analyzing the grow the greenbelt proposals and consultation.  I think the GREN groups need to get involved.  I am meeting Anastasia on Monday but our initial reaction will be positive as we have called for expanding greenbelt in past for water, natural heritage and agricultural protection.  I think work will need to be done between citizens and all of the affected municipalities up and down the Grand watershed (which is mostly what is affected in map 1 on the consultation with the paris-galt moraine).  We will be doing analysis and commentary; let us know if you want any PLE with the groups on this.  I expect there will be others not so happy; and of course none of this is final boundaries so that needs real work to make sure it is the right land being protected if they actually move ahead on this.  And yes we know it is complicated!
>> T
>> 
>> -- 
>> Theresa A. McClenaghan
>> Executive Director and Counsel
>> 
>> Canadian Environmental Law Association
>> 55 University Avenue, Suite 1500
>> Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
>> 
>> Alert:  In light of the current corona virus emergency, CELA staff are working remotely.  Please do not visit our offices.  You may contact our staff at our normal email addresses and telephone extensions.  All services are continuing, but there are no in person meetings occurring; all of these are being adjusted to remote options such as teleconferences and videoconferencing.  For deliveries, please contact the person expecting the package for specific arrangements.  Mail can be sent to the normal address.  We hope that all of you are well in these challenging times.  
>> 
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>> 
>> -- 
>> Theresa A. McClenaghan
>> Executive Director and Counsel
>> 
>> Canadian Environmental Law Association
>> 55 University Avenue, Suite 1500
>> Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
>> 
>> Alert:  In light of the current corona virus emergency, CELA staff are working remotely.  Please do not visit our offices.  You may contact our staff at our normal email addresses and telephone extensions.  All services are continuing, but there are no in person meetings occurring; all of these are being adjusted to remote options such as teleconferences and videoconferencing.  For deliveries, please contact the person expecting the package for specific arrangements.  Mail can be sent to the normal address.  We hope that all of you are well in these challenging times.  
>> 
>> Our facilities Co-op is a scent/fragrance-reduced environment. We ask that everyone avoid using any chemical-based scented products when visiting our offices.
>> 
>> 
>> Toll-Free: 1-844-755-1420 <tel:1-844-755-1420>
>> Fax: 416-960-9392 <tel:416-960-9392>
>> Tel. 416-960-2284 ext.7219
>> E-mail theresa at cela.ca <mailto:theresa at cela.ca>
>> CELA web site www.cela.ca <http://www.cela.ca/>
>> Twitter @TheresaMcClenag @CanEnvLawAssn
>> Facebook: CanadianEnvironmentalLawAssociation
>> Subscribe to the CELA Bulletin <https://cela.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=061b2906efcd710becc433e36&id=af34510c60>
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> This email communication may be subject to solicitor and client privilege.  If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender and destroy any copy you have received.  Thank you for your assistance.
> 
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