Election campaigns are underway with signs and events springing up across the Grand River watershed.
We continue to see a very concerning pattern with the provincial government under Doug Ford: they create distractions to hide their massive scandals and wasteful ways - with millions of taxpayer money wasted on political ads promoting development in the Ring of Fire, Ontario Place, Highway 7 between Guelph and Waterloo, along with many other projects that are years, if not decades from completion.
Doug Ford desperately needs to distract us from the ongoing PC MPP expense scandal, the impacts of underfunding of healthcare, education, OSAP, forest firefighting issues, and the growing number of abysmal failures of emergency management, so he put on a Captain Canada performance, and unveiled a $25,000 large Lake Ontario sign in… Winona, coincidentally in the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek riding that just had a by-election. The Conservative provincial government is also not wasting any time starting the expensive and potentially deadly bicycle lane removals in Toronto and, as the new school year begins, money is being siphoned out of the underfunded public education budget for teachers to spend on overpriced classroom supplies at American-owned Staples - a sole-sourced contract.
What response will there be from the province after this week's incredibly intense storms raced through a large section of Ontario including huge destruction in Wellesley and Wilmot Townships, power outages, significant flooding, road closures, and other damage? This week’s storms hit hard while many communities are still waiting for assistance from the province - the impacted people in northern Ontario whose homes were devastated by raging wildfires, and many still waiting in Niagara for support after the significant flooding that resulted from an earlier series of intense storms in July.
Our predicament is becoming even more urgent. The UN recently admitted that exceeding 1.5 degrees of warming is already locked in; we cannot avoid crossing this threshold. The Paris Climate Accord was meant to prevent this from happening. And a new report from the federal government suggests warming in Canada may be closer to 5 degrees, even more in the far north. However, there is still lots we can do. Our community efforts are more important than ever.
We are continuing the shift of the update to the Leaflet platform. Please add gren.leaflet.pub@email.leaflet.pub to your safe list and spam filter to help prevent it from going into your junk folder. And if you are missing an update check your junk folder! If you were forwarded this message, you can find previous updates and subscribe here:
Here’s the latest:
1) Intense Storms , Impacts of Climate Crisis, El Niño Predictions
Severe storms passed through eastern and southern Ontario this week, including the Grand River Watershed and the GTA. Reports include tornado sightings, as well as downed trees, power outages and road closures in many locations. There was storm damage to some rides at the Paris Fairgrounds, making this year’s Paris Fair opening more challenging. In Toronto there was significant flooding and Rogers Stadium suffered some storm damage. And likely tornadoes in Wellesley and Wilmot Townships - including Kevin's rural property which has been heavily impacted with dozens of trees destroyed - some trees ripped from the ground, other trees broken like matchsticks, and many trees snapped right in the middle showing the intensity of the storm.
Recent reports and statements recognize the significant impacts of the climate crisis. Interesting to note the federal government quietly released its 2026 climate report just before the Labour Day weekend. Also worth mentioning an El Niño event is beginning that will last into 2027. Experts are concerned as signs indicate this could be a very strong, possibly record-setting weather event.
CBC News - Canadians should prepare for a 5C hotter future, report warns:
CTV News - ‘Effectively irreversible’: Changes to Canada’s climate permanent, federal report says
Canadian Government - Canada’s Changing Climate Report 2026:
Environment Defence - Canada’s Latest Climate Report Should Be Call to Action, Instead Gov’t Tried to Bury It
Local Media Coverage of Wednesday's storm:
The Waterloo Region Record - Owners Cleaning Up As Tornado Likely Spawned In Wellesley During Wednesday Storm:
CityNews Kitchener - Survey team finds tornado evidence in Wellesley, Tavistock:
CTV News Kitchener - Cleanup continues in southwestern Ontario as investigators determine if a tornado touched down:
Brantford Expositor - GrandBridge Energy crews continue to restore power following storm:
At the height of the storm, more than 33,000 customers were without power. As of Thursday, at 1 p.m., about 300 customers remained without power.
CTV News Kitchener - Paris Fair forges forward despite storm damage:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/video/2026/09/03/paris-fair-forges-forward-despite-storm-damage/
CTV News - Ride tips over due to storm, Paris fair to continue:
CP24 - Water rescues and collapsed scaffolding: Storm led to 1,500 calls for service, Toronto Fire says.:
Global News - Toronto begins recovery after ‘100-year storm’ leaves behind massive flooding
CBC News - Tens of thousands without power, roads across GTA closed after 'extremely dangerous' storm hits region:
Global El Niño Coverage:
The Conversation - A record-shattering El Niño is almost here. Here’s what that means for the world’s weather:
ARS Technica - El Niño is now stronger than at any point in the last 1,000 years, study finds:
“One more warning sign here of what we’re facing in a warmer world.”
ClimateData.ca - What the developing exceptional El Niño means for Canada in 2026-27:
2) Election News
It’s Labour Day weekend and municipal election campaigns are getting busier, more lawn signs are popping up and all candidates meetings are being scheduled. This is an extremely important election! We need to do our best to see that people are elected who share our values and are capable of serving our communities well. What this means is learning about your local candidates and supporting those who understand the job, have the required skillset (and are willing to learn), and are committed to making the decisions to protect the common good and our communities - rather than being influenced by wealthy donors, partisan loyalty, and other levels of government. There may be existing citizens' groups already doing this kind of excellent work in your community. Look for a local group and get involved, including LeadWR and VisionWR in Waterloo Region.
The results of Thursday’s provincial by-elections were troubling, as there was no change in seat counts showing once again that unless opposition parties find ways to work together we will be facing majority Conservative Governments in Ontario not always working in the best public interest for the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, the three recent federal by-elections were a Liberals sweep confirming strong support for the federal government and many recent federal decisions.
Municipal Elections - Oct. 26, 2026 - Some terrific resources have been created to help us to be informed about municipal issues, and to help discern which candidates will best represent us for the next four years on municipal and, where applicable, regional/county councils. Citizens' groups include:
VisionWR - Is a new grassroots volunteer organization dedicated to promoting education, dialogue, and debate on the issues that will shape our shared future in Waterloo Region: climate change, housing, transportation, water, biodiversity, food security, wellbeing and local democracy. Their website is a central place for candidates and voters to learn more about the issues, share their perspectives, and find links to other information and tools:
Does your organization have a candidate survey? S end them a link! Wondering what to ask candidates? Check out voter questions on the issues. Want a deep dive on the issues? C heck out the blog! Share your perspective. Want to organize an all-candidates meeting? Access tools and support!
Citizens for Cambridge - https://www.citizensforcambridge.org/
Cambridge Elects - https://www.cambridgeelects.ca/
Ontario Headwaters Institute (OHI) - https://ontarioheadwaters.ca
Alliance for Liveable Ontario (ALO) - New! Building a Liveable Ontario Explainer videos:
Who's Running Where and Voting - Confirm (or update) your voter registration. It takes just a few minutes:
County of Brant - Voting for the municipal election is online and by phone. Learn more:
Candidate lists were finalized for the municipal election on August 21st:
CTV News - Waterloo Region Candidates Running In The 2026 Election:
CTV News - Guelph Candidates Running In The 2026 Election:
CTV News - Brantford and Brant County Candidates Running In The 2026 Election:
CBC - Who Is Running Where - Waterloo Region:
Municipal Events - There are lots of debates and events being organized across the watershed:
Wilmot Township:
Monday, September 28th from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Ward 3 and 4 - Councillor Meeting/Debate - New Hamburg Community Centre
Thursday, October 1st from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Ward 1 and 2 - Councillor Meeting/Debate - Wilmot Rod & Gun Club
Wednesday, October 7th from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Mayoral Meeting/Debate - New Hamburg Community Centre
City of Cambridge:
Ten public candidate events being organized - learn more at: https://www.citizensforcambridge.org
Keep us posted on events in your community and we will help to promote them.
Recent Media includes:
The Waterloo Région Record - Mike Farwell - Be Ready To Cast A Ballot In Upcoming Municipal Election:
Provincial By-Elections - Three provincial by-elections took place on Thursday. In two of three, unfortunately, the opportunity was lost to signal the Ford PC’s that change is needed. It is frustrating (but not surprising) to see voter turnout was less than 30% in each of these ridings, and the overall outcome is no change in the seat count - in each case the party that previously had the seat held it. In Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, the progressive votes were split between Liberals (23.4%) and NDP (32.9%), enabling the PC candidate, who lives in Winona, the site of Doug Ford’s giant Lake Ontario sign, to win with only 39% of the votes cast. Voter turnout was just 29%. In Scarborough South the NDP held on to their seat. In York-Simcoe the PCs held the seat but voter turnout was only 21%.
Elections Ontario - Unofficial By-Election Results:
Good summary of the by-elections with analysis by TVO’s John Michael McGrath :
Federal By-Elections - By-elections in Ontario (Beaches-East York), Quebec (Chicoutimi-Le Fjord), and BC (North Vancouver-Capilano) took place August 31. All three seats were won by the Liberals.
Election Canada - 2026 By-Election Results:
Action Required: Get involved, step forward, and assist however you can to ensure that we get the representation we need for the greater public good.
3) Official Plan Meetings and the Need to Speak Up on the ERO
With so many recent development decisions showing the importance of Official Plans it is so important that we get these 30 year long, unappealable, planning documents done right.
Woolwich Township - Has just announced an Open House and statutory public meeting for their excellent and visionary Official Plan. We need to ensure that the Countryside Line concept is returned to their Official Plan, otherwise this is an excellent document that will serve these communities well and is a model Official Plan for others with strong climate change action, farmland protection, environmental initiatives and more.
Woolwich Township Official Plan Open House
Date/Time: Thursday, September 10th from 5pm to 7pm
Location: Empire Room, Breslau Community Centre, 100 Andover Drive, Breslau
Woolwich Official Plan Statutory Planning Public Meeting
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 6th at 7pm
Location: Woolwich Township Council Chambers, 24 Church Street, Elmira
Note: there will be no formal decision at this meeting - that will fall to the new Council later this year.
Additional information can be reviewed on the Woolwich Township EngageWR page at:
Wilmot and Wellesley Official Plans Posted To The Environmental Registry Of Ontario (ERO) - Both Wilmot Township and Wellesley Township have just had their recently approved Official Plans posted to the ERO. This presents us with another important opportunity to speak up and share concerns that in Wilmot this is not a strong enough, nor sufficient plan for the scale of the challenges to be faced in the future. Speak up and ensure your concerns are on the public record before September 19th at 11:59pm.
Wilmot Official Plan ERO - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0838
Wellesley Official Plan ERO - https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0811
Actions Required: Attend the Open House/ Public Meetings, review the postings and submit comments to the ERO before September 19th.
4) Waterloo Water Crisis
Despite the Region's claims of the crisis being solved and limited new development approvals now being issued to priority projects, no new sources of water have been brought online and solutions have primarily been to pump even more from already over-taxed wells and aquifers. There are some excellent upcoming community presentations including:
Water Crisis Expert Community Presentation - The Research Talks presentation by University of Waterloo experts originally scheduled for June has been rescheduled for later this month, with a venue change to the Registry Theatre in downtown Kitchener:
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30pm
Location: Registry Theatre, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener
RSVP and Learn More:
Better Groundwater Management in Waterloo Region - Featuring renown local expert hydrologist Dr. Hugh Simpson, this presentation will focus on why our groundwater management approach has contributed to water uncertainty and explore opportunities for our communities to better manage groundwater resources for greater water security.
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 27th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Woolwich Memorial Recreation Centre, 24 Snyder Ave S., Elmira
Registration and Learn More:
Action Required - This water crisis is far from solved and we need to continue to demand better solutions. Continue to speak up for water security by writing Regional Councillors and area MPPs (contact information at end of update) and attend upcoming public lectures.
5) UN Climate Announcement
“[T]he United Nations has acknowledged that Earth has lost its chance to prevent some of the worst of global warming's harms. Officials say the world must now figure out how to get temperatures below the danger zone and back to safety…
Instead of giving up, scientists and UN officials recommend trying to limit excessive warming and then bring the temperature back down to the agreed-upon threshold. But it still will mean decades of increased weather-related disasters, rising seas, extinctions and melting ice and glaciers.":
CBC News - Climate change past the point of no return, UN says, as worst impacts are now unavoidable
Global warming guaranteed to exceed 1.5 C limit and stay that way for 'many, many decades'
6) Martin Grove Gateway Industrial Park Proposal Will Breach And Destroy Countryside Line
What happens to the future of the St. Jacobs Farmers Market if it is no longer surrounded by farms, but found in the middle of a huge industrial area instead?
Community members from Woolwich have raised concerns about an alarming proposal for a 100+ acre industrial development that would breach both the Countryside Line and the firm City of Waterloo boundary, sprawling onto southern Woolwich Township farmland.
This large industrial development is not part of the current Woolwich 30 year Official Plan, nor the new draft Woolwich 30 year Official Plan, and it isn’t part of any City of Waterloo Official Plan either. There is no demonstrated need for designating new industrial land since there are thousands of acres of shovel-ready vacant industrial lands already designated across Waterloo Region - with much of it sitting vacant and unused for decades.
Woolwich has eliminated the important Countryside Line concept from its next Official Plan and already developers and land speculators are seeking to purchase Woolwich farms for development presuming the success of this current industrial park development application.
If this plan were to be approved, it risks opening the floodgates - potentially thousands of acres of farmland could be lost to development with little the Township could do about it - beginning the destruction of Woolwich Township as we know it.
It was fantastic to see the great grassroots organizing by concerned local residents about this proposed industrial park and they are asking for people to show support, write elected officials, and attend the upcoming Woolwich Council meeting on September 15th where there will be numerous delegations:
Date/Time: September 11th at 7:00pm
Location: Woolwich Township Council Chambers, 24 Church Street, Elmira
Help fill Council Chambers to standing-room only and show that our communities stand together to protect farmland. Learn more at the Township of Woolwich Engage Page:
Action Required - Speak up to protect Woolwich countryside and for food security, water, sustainability, and ensuring our farmers markets and agri-tourism isn’t comprised by the floodgates opening to industrial areas sprawling into Woolwich Township. Please share this with the community!
7) Climate Fest 2026 - Sunday, September 13th 1pm to 7pm
This is the second year of the ClimateFest festival hosted by ClimateActionWR, taking place on the Gaukel Block in downtown Kitchener and in Victoria Park. The festival will feature local food, live music, art, hands-on activities, workshops, community organizations, and opportunities to learn more about sustainability across Waterloo Region.
Watch for the Nith Valley EcoBoosters, who will be there with a Repair Café and a booth with information, GreenWR, Waterloo Climate Collaborative and many other local groups plus Emergency Preparedness and Water Games.
Date/Time: Sunday, September 13th from 1pm to 7pm
Location: Downtown Kitchener, Gaukel Block and Victoria Park
Action Required: This will be an exciting event with hundreds of people in attendance. Attend, learn, make new friends, and help ensure urgently needed action to address the climate crisis.
8) Recent Articles
Include articles on the Fight Ford rallies last Saturday that were focussed on public education across Ontario, failed Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster (perhaps best known for extreme project delays, massive cost overruns and the astonishing number of Metrolinx VPs) has been hired for Alto high-speed rail (a federal project), concerns about the provincial governments Staples teachers portal, lack of media engagement and deception by the Ford government, home sales still falling, rare 400 year old fish, and some good news about endangered turtles:
CBC News - Teachers, parents, supporters rally across Ontario against province's education policy:
Spectator - Former Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster joins federal government’s Alto high-speed rail project:
The Trillium - Ontario Teachers Flag Higher Prices On Ford Government's New US Staples Portal:
"It's not meant to be perfect from day one" says Education Minister Paul Calandra....
The Trillium - "Thank Good We Don't Have The Media": Ford Holds Another Funding Announcement Without Inviting Reporters:
The Waterloo Region Record - Home Sales Continue To Slide In Waterloo Region:
CBC News - How this endangered turtle population in Hamilton, Burlington wetlands quadrupled since 2020:
CBC News - Some Great Lakes sturgeon may be 400 years old. Scientists are rethinking how to save them:
9) Ford Government - More Troubling Announcements And Yet More Wasteful Spending
The Ford government appears to be more focussed on distracting away from actual problems (creating new ones) and maintaining the pattern of making major announcements with no media present to ask questions. In Mississauga this week, Doug Ford’s hot microphone comment revealed the truth - avoiding media scrutiny is intentional and part of their strategy.
The Trillium - ‘Thank God we don’t have the media’: Ford holds another funding announcement without inviting reporters:
Isaac Callan of Global News on Bluesky:
Both the City of Mississauga and the federal government confirm to Global News that it was the Ontario government's decision to organize a news conference without reporters today. All three levels of government attended. #OnPoli
NEW: Standing on a muddy Mississauga construction site, flanked by excavation vehicles and workers, Doug Ford wrapped up his remarks at a news-conference-style podium.
“Thank God we don’t have the media,” he quipped.
It's part of a trend. #OnPoli
The Trillium - Ford government spent over $12M advertising Ring of Fire plans last year: records:
Now Magazine - Ontario taxpayers paid $25K for Doug Ford’s new Lake Ontario sign:
The Hamilton Spectator - - Doug Ford’s government is officially taking bids to remove 19km of bike lanes from Toronto’s streets:
The Trillium - Ford government begins Toronto bike lane removal process:
The Trillium - Ontario teachers flag higher prices on Ford government's new Staples portal:
The Hamilton Spectator - Ontario teachers have to order school supplies from a Staples portal. They found cheaper prices on Staples’ regular website:
The Grind Magazine - Ontario’s Schools Don’t Need a Staples Card, They Need to Be Properly Funded:
10) Climate Conversations - Lets Get Talking
The Climate Crisis has become impossible to ignore. We need to get people talking. Join Seniors For Climate and Dr. Katharine Hayhoe for a webinar on the importance of talking about the climate crisis.
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 9th at 6:30pm Eastern
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aZvI0aGJTlGyw_X37nkRaA
11) Together For Nature Tour
We are lucky that the Grand River Watershed is one of the stop locations for the Together For Nature Tour by LAND, Ontario Nature, and others, which creates the opportunity to hear directly from Indigenous land protectors and youth leaders about the growing challenges facing lands, waters, and wildlife. Learn how communities across Ontario can work together to support nature and a healthier future for all. Details are as follows:
Date/Time: Thursday, September 17th from 7pm to 9:30pm
Location: St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 54 Benton Street Kitchener
Tickets are a great deal for the musical line up including Susan Aglukark, Okinawa, Here We Stand and Friends of The Attawapiskat River at $30. To purchase, visit:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ontario-nature/events/together-for-nature-tour-kitchener/
12) Heat Pump Seminar - Get Pumped - A Better Way To Heat And Cool Your Home
Join local experts to discuss the pros and cons of heat pumps. Learn more:
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 29th at 7:00pm
Location: Wellesley Recreation Complex, 1401 Queens Bush Road, Wellesley
Register and Learn More:
13) Monarch Butterfly Tagging Weekend 2026
Visit the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Saturday Sept 12th and Sunday Sept 13th to watch Monarch butterfly releases and learn what you can do to help this species at risk. Enjoy special Monarch butterfly activities and opportunities to learn more about Monarch migration and conservation. This event is included with regular admission.
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory - 2500 Kossuth Road, Cambridge
Monarch Butterfly Releases at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm
Gather outside and watch Monarch butterflies take flight as they begin their 3,000+ km migration to Mexico.
Take Home Common Milkweed Seeds Help support Monarchs at home! Pick up a complimentary packet of Common Milkweed seeds to plant at home. Milkweed is the only host plant Monarch caterpillars eat, making it an important part of the Monarch life cycle. Complimentary with admission while supplies last. Limit one seed packet per visiting group.
Butterfly releases are outdoors and weather permitting.
14) Next GREN Zoom Meeting
Please make plans to join our next meeting online today, Friday, September 11th at 5:30 pm.
Topic: Grand River Watershed Zoom Meeting
Time: Friday September 11th, 2026 at 5:30pm EST.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701
Passcode: 713374
Thanks for all the great efforts so far - please share any questions or ideas.
Cheers,
Kevin Thomason @kthomason.bsky.social , Mike Marcolongo @mikemarcolongo.bsky.social
and Joan Faux @joantelferfaux.bsky.social on behalf of all our community groups.
A) Upcoming Events
Get out and get involved! And keep us posted on your events so we can share them.
Thursday, September 10th from 5pm to 7pm - Woolwich Township Official Plan Open House - Breslau Community Centre - https://www.engagewr.ca/official-plan-review
Friday, September 11th at 5:30pm - Next GREN Update Zoom meeting -
Saturday, September 12th & Sunday September 13th - Monarch Butterfly Tagging Weekend 2026 at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Road, Cambridge
Sunday, September 13th from 1pm to 7pm - ClimateFest, Gaukel Bloc, Kitchener
Sunday, September 20th from 9am to 1pm - rare Trail Party, Riverbluffs Park, Cambridge
Saturday, September 26th from 9:30am to 12:30pm - Nith Valley Ecoboosters Repair Cafe - Zion Church 215 Peel St, New Hamburg
Saturday September 26th - Province-wide Ford Protest - https://protestdougford.com/
Monday, September 28th from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Ward 3 and 4 - Councillor Meeting/Debate - New Hamburg Community Centre
Thursday, October 1st from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Ward 1 and 2 - Councillor Meeting/Debate - Wilmot Rod & Gun Club
Tuesday, October 6th at 7pm - Woolwich Official Plan Statutory Public Meeting - Woolwich Council Chambers, 24 Church St, Elmira - https://www.engagewr.ca/official-plan-review
Wednesday, October 7th from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Mayoral Meeting/Debate - New Hamburg Community Centre
Tuesday, October 27th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm - Better Groundwater Management In Waterloo Region - Woolwich Memorial Recreation Centre, 24 Snyder's Road S., Elmira - https://rwlibrary.libnet.info/event/17311828
B) Rare Trail Party - Sunday, September 20, 2026
Learn more and register: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/130591/2026-trail-party-walk-hike-or-run-for-rare
C) Nith Valley Ecoboosters Repair Cafe - Saturday, September 26th at 9:30am
D) Water and the Election -
The poster can be downloaded and printed:
E) Election Resources
Local Municipal and Regional Election Candidate info - Learn who the nominated candidates are for your municipality and region:
City of Guelph:
Wellington County:
https://www.centrewellington.ca/township-services/2026-municipal-election/
Waterloo Regional Council - Note: Regional Chair is no longer an elected position:
City of Waterloo:
https://www.waterloo.ca/council-and-committees/municipal-elections/find-election-candidates/
Kitchener:
https://app2.kitchener.ca/election/candidates.aspx
Cambridge:
https://www.cambridge.ca/mayor-city-council-government/elections/nominations-candidate-profiles/
Woolwich Township:
https://www.woolwich.ca/learn-about/election/list-of-candidates-financial-statements/
Wilmot Township:
https://www.wilmot.ca/township-office/elections/
Wellesley Township:
https://www.wellesley.ca/council-and-administration/election/
County of Brant:
https://www.brant.ca/council-and-county-administration/elections/certified-candidates/
Brantford:
https://brantfordvotes.brantford.ca/en/candidates/candidates.aspx
Haldimand County:
Norfolk County:
https://www.norfolkcounty.ca/vote/filed-candidate-nominations/
Caledon:
https://www.caledon.ca/en/government/election-landing-page.aspx
If your municipality is not listed above, visit the official municipal website and search “candidate list 2026”.
Also, if you are in Waterloo Region check out Bob Jonkman’s excellent detailed overview of candidates for Regional government and the seven municipalities:
https://poliblog.jonkman.ca/Poliblog-Elections/2026-10-26-Municipal-Election/
Be sure to check out the ALO Municipal Election Toolkit with 10 Actions Municipal Governments Can Take To Help Build Liveable Communities:
https://www.liveableontario.ca/alliance-resources/roadmap
F) Province-wide Ford Protests
Make a sign and join in one of the many rallies taking place across Ontario on the last Saturday of September!
Learn more:
Facebook - Fight Ford Protests:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/999677935818616
Instagram - Fight Ford Ontario Protests:
https://www.instagram.com/ontarioprotest?igsh=eHgwNnl2azRsYXB5
Website - Protest Doug Ford:
G) Contact Info:
Speak Up and Ensure Your Voice is Heard:
Wilmot Township Council
All Wilmot Councillors can be reached at a single simple address: council@wilmot.ca
Letters should also be sent to: clerks@wilmot.ca to be included as part of the public record.
Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Wilmot, natasha.salonen@wilmot.ca or 519-634-8519 x 9351
Stewart Cressman, Councillor Ward 1, Wilmot, stewart.cressman@wilmot.ca
Kris Wilkinson, Councillor Ward 2, Wilmot, kris.wilkinson@wilmot.ca
Harvir Sidhu, Councillor Ward 3, Wilmot, harvir.sidhu@wilmot.ca
Lillianne Dunstall, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, lillianne.dunstall@wilmot.ca
Steven Martin, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, steven.martin@wilmot.ca
Region of Waterloo Council
All Regional Councillors and Mayors can be reached at this single address: regionalcouncillors@regionofwaterloo.ca
Karen Redman, Regional Chair, kredman@regionofwaterloo.ca
Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor, Kitchener, berryv@kitchener.ca
Dorothy McCabe, Mayor, City of Waterloo, dorothy.mccabe@waterloo.ca
Jan Liggett, Cambridge Mayor, Cambridge, liggettj@cambridge.ca
Sue Foxton, Mayor, North Dumfries, sfoxton@northdumfries.ca
Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Wilmot, natasha.salonen@wilmot.ca
Joe Nowak, Mayor, Wellesley, jnowak@wellesley.ca
Sandy Shantz, Mayor, Woolwich, sshantz@woolwich.ca
Doug Craig, Regional Councillor, Cambridge, dougcraig@regionofwaterloo.ca
Pam Wolf, Regional Councillor, Cambridge, pwolf@regionofwaterloo.ca
Colleen James, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, CJames@regionofwaterloo.ca
Michael Harris, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, MHarris@regionofwaterloo.ca
Matt Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, mrodrigues@regionofwaterloo.ca
Joe Gowing, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, jgowing@regionofwaterloo.ca
Jim Erb, Regional Councillor, Waterloo, JErb@regionofwaterloo.ca
Chantal Huinink, Regional Councillor, Waterloo, CHuinink@regionofwaterloo.ca
City of Kitchener Council
Mayor - Berry Vrbanovic - berry.vrbanovic@kitchener.ca
Ward 1 - Councillor Scott Davey scott.davey@kitchener.ca
Ward 2 - Councillor Dave Schnider dave.schnider@kitchener.ca
Ward 3 - Councillor Jason Deneault jason.deneault@kitchener.ca
Ward 4 - Councillor Christine Michaud christine.michaud@kitchener.ca
Ward 5 - Councillor Ayo Owodunni ayo.owodunni@kitchener.ca
Ward 6 - Councillor Paul Singh paul.singh@kitchener.ca
Ward 7 - Councillor Bil Ioannidis bil.ioannidis@kitchener.ca
Ward 8 - Councillor Margaret Johnston margaret.johnston@kitchener.ca
Ward 9 - Councillor Debbie Chapman debbie.chapman@kitchener.ca
Ward 10 - Councillor Stephanie Stretch stephanie.stretch@kitchener.ca
County of Brant Council:
Mayor David Bailey david.bailey@brant.ca 226-387-2490
Councillor Ward 1 Jennifer Kyle jennifer.kyle@brant.ca 519-242-0898
Councillor Ward 1 John MacAlpine john.macalpine@brant.ca 519-757-9359
Councillor Ward 2 Steve Howes steve.howes@brant.ca 519-442-4955
Councillor Ward 2 Lukas Oakley lukas.oakley@brant.ca 226-216-3037
Councillor Ward 3 John Bell john.bell@brant.ca 519-209-2277
Councillor Ward 3 John Peirce john.peirce@brant.ca 519-442-7134
Councillor Ward 4 Robert Chambers robert.chambers@brant.ca 519-449-2633
Councillor Ward 4 David Miller jedamiller@sympatico.ca 519-449-1240
Councillor Ward 5 Brian Coleman brianatbridgeview@gmail.com 519-753-2798
Councillor Ward 5 - Ella Haley ella.haley@brant.ca 226-802-2801
Province of Ontario
Premier Doug Ford - doug.fordco@pc.ola.org or 416-325-1941 - available 24/7 - all calls confidential,
Call or text Doug Ford’s Personal Cell Phone - 647-612-3673
Andrea Khanjin - Minster of Environment, Conservation and Parks - andrea.khanjin@pc.ola.org or 705-722-0575
Vic Fedeli - Minister of Economic Development- vic.fedeli@pc.ola.org or 416-326-8475
Rob Flack - Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing- rob.flack@pc.ola.org or 416-326-3074
Michael Parsa - Associate Minister of Housing - michael.parsaco@pc.ola.org
Local Conservative MPPs:
Mike Harris Jr - Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, MPP Kitchener-Conestoga - mike.harris@pc.ola.org or 519-669-2090
Brian Riddell - MPP Cambridge - brian.riddell@pc.ola.org or 519-650-2770
Jess Dixon - MPP Kitchener South - jess.dixon@pc.ola.org or 519-650-9413
Will Bouma - MPP Brantford-Brant - will.bouma@pc.ola.org or (519) 759-0361
Joseph Racinsky- MPP Wellington-Halton Hills - joseph.racinsky@pc.ola.org or (519) 787-5247
Ernie Hardeman - MPP Oxford - ernie.hardeman@pc.ola.org or (519) 537-5222
Matthew Rae - MPP Perth-Wellington - matthew.rae@pc.ola.org or (519) 272-0660
Local NDP MPPs:
Catherine Fife - MPP Waterloo - cfife-qp@ndp.on.ca or 519-725-3477
Local Green Party MPPs:
Mike Schreiner - MPP Guelph - mschreiner@ola.org or (519) 836-4190
Aislinn Clancy - MPP Kitchener Centre - aclancy-co@ola.org or 519-579-5460
Independent MPPs:
Bobbi Ann Brady - MPP Haldimand-Norfolk - babrady-co@ola.org or (519) 428-0446
Federal Members of Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Carney - mark.carney@parl.gc.ca
Local Liberal MPs:
Tim Louis - MP Kitchener-Conestoga - tim.louis@parl.gc.ca or (519) 578-3777
Bardish Chagger - MP Waterloo - bardish.chagger@parl.gc.ca or (519) 746-1573
Dominque O-Rourke - MP Guelph - dominique.orourke@parl.gc.ca or (519) 837-8276
Local Conservative MPs:
Michael Chong - MP Wellington-Halton Hills - michael.chong@parl.gc.ca or (519) 843-7344
Dan Muys Flamborough-Glanbrook-Brant North - Dan.Muys@parl.gc.ca or (519) 448-1483
Larry Brock - MP Brantford-Brant South Six Nations - larry.brock@parl.gc.ca or (519) 754-4300
Connie Cody - MP Cambridge - connie.cody@parl.gc.ca or (519) 624-2828
Matt Strauss - MP Kitchener-South Hespeler - matt.strauss@parl.gc.ca or (519) 571-5509
Kelly Deridder - MP Kitchener-Centre - kelly.deridder@parl.gc.ca or (519) 746-8867
John Nater - MP Perth-Wellington - john.nater@parl.gc.ca or (519) 273-1400
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Kevin Thomason
Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network
www.gren.ca
Phone: (519) 888-0519
Mobile Phone/WhatsApp: (519) 240-1648
Twitter: @kthomason
E-mail: kevinthomason@mac.com
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