[GREN-Exec] Fwd: COWA Update January 8 2023

[Kevin Thomason]

FYI.  A good initiative and synopsis from Andrew.  We can see where things go and try to support however possible.

Cheers,
Kevin.

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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

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> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: "Ontario Headwaters Institute" <andrew at ontarioheadwaters.ca>
> Subject: COWA Update January 8 2023
> Date: January 8, 2023 at 1:07:09 PM EST
> To: <susan at moorepartners.ca>, "'Mr. Mike Marcolongo'" <lizandmichele at yahoo.ca>, <kevinthomason at mac.com>, "'Gravel Watch Ontario'" <info at gravelwatch.org>, "Debbe Crandall" <debbeday at rogers.com>, "Leora at TLB" <info at thelandbetween.ca>, "'Ella Haley'" <ella at lconserv.org>, <Claire.Malcolmson at gmail.com>, "Margaret Prophet" <teljeur6 at hotmail.com>, "'Debbie Gordon'" <debbierawngordon at gmail.com>
> Reply-To: <andrew at ontarioheadwaters.ca>
> 
> Dear Members, Coalition of Ontario Watershed Alliances
>  
> All the best for 2023, along with my apologies that we did not hold the planned Zoom call in November, but we were all too busy opposing the Ford juggernaut surrounding Bill 23’s efforts to upend regional planning, environmental safeguards, democracy, and access to legal recourse.  
>  
> The OHI supported as many collective efforts as we could, and we thank you for helping our petition on sustainable planning (here <https://act.newmode.net/action/ontario-headwaters-institute/ontario-must-withdraw-bill-23-and-shift-sustainable-planning>) to obtain well over 2,000 signatures, when we had hoped for anything over 150. 
>  
> Here are some administrative updates as well as the OHI’s observations and suggested direction for COWA for the short term.
>  
> Administrative Updates
> We have gained 3 new members since September and are now at 13;
> Two more groups want to join but had 2022 Board meetings postponed. We anticipate their formal membership any day now;
> Three other groups are having membership discussions, and the OHI has launched more outreach. My goal is for 20 members by the end of the month; 
> We’ve updated the Resources page of the website, posting three more examples of great work done by members. If you have something to share, please let me know; 
> The OHI intends to buy a drone in early 2023 and wants to work with the COWA members to make short videos on key problems/solutions in each of your watersheds; and,
> The OHI will apply for a Canada Summer Jobs position by Thursday to work solely on COWA. If you see a specific task, please share it asap.
>  
> Observations and Suggested Short-term Direction for COWA
> The Province has proven itself disinterested in listening to any criticism of Housing Action Plan 3.0; and,
> Most public and NGO efforts have focused on valued criticisms of changes to land use planning, in which the importance of protecting our water is under-represented.
>  
> Ø  In the face of these realities, the OHI suggests that COWA has an open opportunity to lead the way in Ontario by:  
> 1        Supporting Conservation Authorities, including the restoration of key aspects of their mandate; 
> 2        Co-ordinating comments on the dangers to our waters in the proposed amalgamation of the PPS with A Place to Grow; and,
> 3        Recruiting more members and positioning COWA as a key player in all aspects of water management in Ontario.
>  
> Somehow, we also need to address capacity around regional and local crises, such as the threats involved in sending new sewage around Lake Simcoe to Durham, which could violate the ban on inter-basin transfers under the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, versus sending it to Lake Simcoe, which could violate the Lake Simcoe Protection Act.
>  
> We intend to host a COWA webinar in January and will be in touch on that as soon as possible. If for any reason you’d like to chat, feel free to call me at the number below.
>  
> Andrew
> 416 231 9484
>  
> PS    This e-mail shares your e-mail addresses with each of the other members. We will discuss if that is acceptable to you on the up-coming Zoom call. 

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