[GREN-Exec] text for my presentation on behalf of GREN to Region council

[Kevin Thomason]

Hi Greg,

Good presentation!  Thank you for stepping up to speak for GREN and trying to urge the Region to do better.  

Some feedback/ideas;

- I wouldn’t spend any presentation time on the 30 year time frame.  The Region has absolutely no say in this - it is dictated by the province and Doug Ford’s desire to lock as much land up for his developer buddies for 30 years of guaranteed profits.  If anything the argument can be made that given such a long, generous timeline the Region should be bolder than ever with it ambitions as there will be at least two mandatory 10 year reviews in which to make needed adjustments if required.

- unfortunately, we can’t wait a bit for new climate change policies.  Doug Ford has instituted a very firm July, 2022 deadline for all Official Plans to be completed, approved locally and submitted to the province for final approval if they meet all of his criteria.

- I would be careful with the population growth rates as while the past have been considerably lower, the future growth rates being assigned to us by the province are considerably higher than ever anticipated and all future models show a pipeline being required and a very nervous Regional Council is aware of this.  I would keep the few minutes for presentation focussed on the ROP and the need for more ambitious goals.

- Excellent points on the need for far more consultation and public engagement.

- Great points on the opportunity and need for industrial intensification.

- Good to see the reminder that citizens need to be heard above the clamour of the development community and it should be us - not them - deciding the future vision of our communities.

- I would recommend closing with a clear strong ask that Council direct Staff to come back with a more ambitious Scenario #4 with less greenfield sprawl not threatening or breaching the Countryside Line in any way, more aggressive targets, and vigorous public consultation.


Let me know any questions or also ideas for our delegation planning meeting tonight - apparently 30x50 Waterloo is reporting that we have more than 40 people registered to attend this evening and discuss how we can move the Region to where it needs to go on Tuesday.

Cheers,
Kevin.

-------------------------------------

Kevin Thomason

1115 Cedar Grove Road
Waterloo, Ontario Canada  N2J 3Z4

Phone: (519) 888-0519
Mobile Phone/WhatsApp: (519) 240-1648
Twitter: @kthomason
E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com

-----------------------------------------

> On Nov 5, 2021, at 11:28 AM, Greg Michalenko <gcmichalenko at uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
> 
> Enclosed is the text for my virtual presentation on the issue of land expropriation to be given on behalf of GREN to the Committee of the whole meeting of Waterloo Region council, scheduled for Nov. 9, 9a.m.  Susan R kindly (my spell check just tried to change that to "kinkly"!) read it over and said it was okay. 
> 
> I only get 5 minutes so will not say everythng that is in this text.
> 
> I've sent the text to the clerk before the deadline of 12 noon today so I hope that coucillors will be able to readthe full text in advance oft the meetiing. 
> 
> -Greg
> <Presentation to the Region of Waterloo Committee of the Whole.docx>_______________________________________________
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