REPEAL BILL 23!

GREENBELT & BILL 23 UPDATE

Greenbelt & Bill 23 Update - January 25, 2023

CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES

We wish with all our heart there was better news to share about the Conservation Authorities but that is not the case. On Dec. 28th during the holiday season, the provincial government went ahead with plans to remove powers that allow Ontario’s Conservation Authorities to be the environmental regulators they are intended to be. Effective January 1st their ability to protect vital watersheds, communities against flooding and erosion and species at risk will be limited.

A particularly shameful move as the closing date for commenting on the Environmental Registry of Ontario closed on December 30, 2022 meaning all relevant comments did in fact ‘not’ play a part in the decision-making process. The attached link is to an article featured on The Narwhal.

While you were on holiday, Ontario stripped conservation authority powers
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-strips-conservation-authority-powers/

LOOKING AHEAD

As disheartening as this is we must not let it break our spirit and we must continue to voice our concerns individually and collectively about Bill 23 and associated policy changes. It is so important that the provincial government understands the people of Ontario are opposed to changes being initiated.

We need to continue to send a clear and concise message to the provincial government that we want them to keep their ‘HANDS OFF’ protected land, farmland, forests and wetlands. These are essential habitat for wildlife (animals, plants, pollinators, etc) and home to ecosystems that provide services and provisions the people of Ontario depend on and could not do without. Such as air purification, clean water, fuel and fiber, natural habitat, medicines, biological pest and disease control, pollination of crops and soil formation, flood and erosion control, carbon storage and climate regulation, food security, etc.

Healthy ecosystems and all they provide are the very foundation for a sound economy and provide opportunities for employment, recreation, education, and cultural enrichment. We would ask that the provincial government please turn their attentions to building homes on land already designated for development.

Please find attached some links we feel are helpful to be aware of.

WEBINARS

(1) What’s Next Webinar – January 25th at 7 PM
Environmental Defence is hosting a webinar to bring people up to speed on Bill 23 and the Greenbelt.
https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/120535/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=eblast&ea.url.id=6241026

(2) Attack on the Greenbelt: The Saga Continues – January 19th (can view now on YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ujJ6BIEl4

MPP Peter Tabuns was joined by guests Phil Pothen, Ontario Environment Program Manager, at Environmental Defence and Laura Bowman, an environmental lawyer. The provide the latest updates and discuss what can be done to oppose this latest attack on the environment.

PETITIONS & RALLIES

There are several groups that have petitions you can sign. The attached link To The Land Between Charity includes a list of petitions to sign and share https://www.thelandbetween.ca/bill23-stealingourlegacy/#Solidarity Rally details will follow when available.

HANDS OFF SIGNS

As part of ongoing efforts to have Bill 23 repealed, stop Greenbelt development and protect wetlands from destruction Environmental Defence has had ‘Hands Off’ lawn signs printed. The signs read ‘Hands Off The Greenbelt!’ on one side and ‘Save Ontario’s Farms, Forests & Wetlands’ on the other side. Sign-up for a sign through the Environmental Defence website at https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/118653/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=hubpagebox.

GROUPS/ALLIANCES

Ecojustice http://www.ecojustice.ca
Greenbelt Your Action http://www.greenbeltya.ca
Greenbelt Alliance http://www.greenbeltalliance.ca
Greenbelt Foundation http://www.greenbelt.ca
Ontario Nature http://www.ontarionature.org/campaigns/bill-23
Toronto Environmental Alliance http://www.torontoenvironment.org

LETTER CAMPAIGN

It has been recommended that as many people as possible continue to write letters to MPPs and be sure to include writing to Conservative MPs. They repealed Bill 28 after it passed and showed signs of widespread opposition, including with new allies in the Construction Industry unions.

List of MPs https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/search
List of MPPs https://www.ola.org/en/members/current

RECENT ARTICLES

Narwhal:
https://thenarwhal.ca/topics/ontario-greenbelt/
https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-greenbelt-fallout/

Globe and Mail:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontarios-greenbelt-development-planunder-investigation-by-auditor/
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-greenbelt-plan-opposition-leaders/

Toronto Star: Assortment of articles on the Greenbelt

https://www.thestar.com/news/greenbelt.html

City News

“First Nations community considering legal action over proposed Greenbelt changes”
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2023/01/13/ontario-greenbelt-indigenous-communities-consultation/

THANK YOU to all our friends, colleagues and family members that stand alongside us to protect Ontario’s natural heritage for our generation and generations to come. Together we are stronger and our actions more powerful.

BILL 23 PASSED ... WHAT NEXT?

REPEAL BILL 23 UPDATE - November 30, 2022

Bill 23 was passed in the Ontario Legislature on Monday November 28th despite significant criticism and concerns expressed province wide. Many people are now asking, “what’s next?”

In response the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) has posted the attached article on their Blog addressing many of the questions we are all asking. We encourage everyone to read it!

Blog: Bill 23 Passed … What Happens Next?

https://cela.ca/blog-bill-23-passed-what-happens-next/

An important point to stress and CELA reiterates is that although Bill 23 has passed into legislature ‘we must remain engaged’ individually and collectively regarding the issues we are concerned about under Bill 23 and the associated policies. We must continue to express our views, whether that is on wetlands, conservation authorities, the Greenbelt, green standards, natural heritage, biodiversity loss, cutting developer fees, possible tax increases, truly affordable housing, parkland requirements, architectural heritage or any other aspect of Bill 23.

WHAT’S NEXT ACTION PLAN

Our focus will now be on having Bill 23 repealed. We have compiled some resources to help answer questions many people have and the best actions to engage in to make a strong case for having Bill 23 repealed. We will all need to work together to make this happen.

RALLIES

There will be more ‘REPEAL BILL 23′ rallies planned some during the holiday season likely more after Christmas and New Years Day. Be sure to check the attached link for updates. If you organize a rally be sure to submit the information on the Environmental Defence website. https://environmentaldefence.ca/handsoffthegreenbelt/

ENVIRONMENTAL REGISTRY POSTINGS

As CELA outlines there are Bill 23 related postings on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) with comment periods still open into December. We encourage you to share your concerns with the provincial government regarding Bill 23 and associated policy changes and their impact on our health, communities and the environment.

Submitting A Comment

You can submit your comment on the Environmental Registry, by email or in writing to the contact listed on the proposal notice. If you prefer, you can comment without registering. You don’t need an account to submit a comment. Skip the registration process and provide your feedback anonymously. All relevant comments will be a part of the decision-making process.

The attached link is an excellent resource CELA has set-up for commenting on ERO postings. Review the postings chart and determine which posting(s) you would like to respond to. Click on the relevant link to get to the ERO page to comment. https://cela.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bill-23-revised-chart.pdf

Comment period for amendments to the Greenbelt Plan:

November 4, 2022 – December 4, 2022 (Closed)

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6216

Comment on the proposed amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act

October 25, 2022 – December 30, 2022 (Open)

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-2927

LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN

We have reached out to individuals and groups involved in conservation and environmental management to decide on the most effective campaign to launch throughout Ontario to see this legislation repealed.

It has been recommended that as many people as possible should write letters to MPPs and be sure to include writing to Conservative MPs. They repealed Bill 28 after it passed and showed signs of widespread opposition, including with new allies in the Construction Industry unions.

ONTARIO MPPs https://www.ola.org/en/members/current

Members of Parliament - MPs https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/search

Please write a letter to both the MPP in your riding and the Conservative MP for your region . Thank you.

PETITIONS

There are several groups that have petitions you can sign. The attached link includes a list of petitions to sign and share. https://www.thelandbetween.ca/bill23-stealingourlegacy/#Solidarity

ARTICLES WORTH READING

Ontario Green Party asks integrity commissioner to investigate Greenbelt development

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-green-party-asks-integrity-commissioner-to-investigate-greenbelt-development-1.6173546

Opposition parties submit complaints over Ford government Greenbelt changes

https://globalnews.ca/news/9311824/ford-government-investigations-greenbelt-deals/

‘Weapons down, but not away’: Tory says province will help city with budget shortfall, but Bill 23 still a threat for Toronto’s finances

https://www.cp24.com/news/weapons-down-but-not-away-tory-says-province-will-help-city-with-budget-shortfall-but-bill-23-still-a-threat-for-toronto-s-finances-1.6175443

If you have questions or are not sure about something please do not hesitate to get in touch.

THANK YOU to all our friends, colleagues and family members that stand alongside us to be a strong voice at a time when this is most needed. Together we are stronger and our actions more powerful.

THINK TURTLE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

THINK TURTLE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

PROTECT ONTARIO'S NATURAL HERITAGE

GREENBELT & BILL 23 UPDATE

BILL 23 PASSED ... WHAT NEXT?

THINK TURTLE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

PROTECT ONTARIO'S NATURAL HERITAGE

GREENBELT & BILL 23 UPDATE

BILL 23 PASSED ... WHAT NEXT?

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