[GREN-Exec] Useful tips for influencing decision-makers.

[Greg Michalenko]

There is some useful information here.


Kae Elgie and a small group of senior friends wanting to do something constructive about climate change, convened a Zoom meeting to discuss how to provide comments on revising the Region's official plan.  Those attending (they included me) sent in individual comments. Kae used to work for the federal government and is very active in heritage conservation.  I think she understands how good ideas can successfully jump up the rungs of administrative ladders, but can also stumble and land on their faces and die of injury if they don't measure their leaps properly.  Since climate change is a new one for her, she wisely had a productive talk with two decision-makers,  and here are the suggestions that resulted.


There is much to chew on here as we consider our Region's appropriate response to greenbelt issues..

- Greg


________________________________
From: Kae Elgie <kaeelgie at yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 6:26 PM
To: Hulene Montgomery; Michael Graham; Bob Nally; blarke at golden.net; Brian Hunsberger; Greg Michalenko; Kenneth Epps; Mike Morrice
Subject: Follow up to our Feb 23 meeting

Hi everyone,

Following up on our conversation about the mildness we perceived in the Regional Official Plan (ROP) and us wondering if there were ways to push it to have stronger statements, I spoke with a couple of planners, people I still know from my days working at the Region.  One of them, Kate Hagerman, the former Cultural Heritage Planner, is now managing the Environmental section of the Regional Official Plan (ROP) which includes directions on Climate Change and cultural heritage policies.  The other Bridget Coady is the current Cultural Heritage Planner.

I asked them both for advice on how to make sure the ROP had good strong environmental policies.  Bridget felt it would be a good idea to make a presentation to Regional Council.  She said there was a recent  presentation on Source Water Protection by a coalition of groups.

Kate suggesting sending a letter to the ROP team

  *   references to actual policies in the plan are helpful - ones you like, ones you don't like and why
  *   wording for policies you'd like to see
  *   examples of strong policies from other municipalities are especially welcome
  *   the better these "fit" the Region, the more likely they will be accepted, i.e. policies from another Regional level government with a role similar to Region of Waterloo are likely going to be a better fit than a lower tier local municipality level policy
  *   Ontario examples are better, because ultimately ROP must conform to over-riding higher level provincial policies
  *   Burlington and Toronto policies worth looking at

> Could follow up this letter with a presentation to Regional Council at a later stage.
If one does the presentation to Council now, it's early in the process and might not get remembered later on.

Also, if Council likes the suggestion, they would probably refer it to staff to work on.
(Who may or may not write the strong policies you want:  Kate didn't say this, but it's kind of obvious, isn't it?  Write the Official Plan you want to see.)

> Could do a presentation to Council later, especially if the strong policies aren't there, asking them why not. Pointing out we gave input to staff at an early stage but weren't listened to, so now we are appealing to you to guide staff guidance ...

Not sure if others sought (and got) similar or different advice from the people you spoke to.

Kae Elgie



On Sunday, February 21, 2021, 02:47:38 p.m. EST, Kenneth Epps <eppskenneth at gmail.com> wrote:


Hello to all,
Thank you for agreeing to attend the Zoom meeting on Tues, Feb 23 at 10 am. The link is below.
Also, so that everyone is aware, Mike Morrice is able to join us initially but has to leave by 10:35 am.
I look forward to seeing you all then.
Ken Epps



Kenneth Epps is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Kenneth Epps' Zoom Meeting
Time: Feb 23, 2021 10:00 AM America/Toronto

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