As expected Premier Doug Ford shuffled his cabinet Thursday, moving Labour Minister David Piccini to a new post and filling other vacancies created by so many recent resignations. The fallout from the destruction of the Ontario Science Centre continues as all science staff were laid off this week. Waterloo Region has announced more water capacity and some cost savings but also the need for more staff. Several tornadoes have been confirmed from last week's storms while impacted residents continue to clean up, and more announcements on the upcoming municipal elections.
Please join us online today, Friday September 11th at 5:30pm to discuss all this and more:
Topic: Grand River Watershed Zoom Meeting
Time: Friday, September 11, 2026 at 5:30pm Eastern
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701 Passcode: 713374
We also continue the transition to the new Leaflet software for this Grand River Environmental Network weekly update. This is the first week that we are sending the update directly through Leaflet so hopefully you have received it okay. Please let us know any feedback or ideas and if you want to subscribe another e-mail address or see that someone else also receives these updates you can subscribe at: https://gren.leaflet.pub
Here's the latest:
1) Provincial Cabinet Shuffle
Premier Doug Ford continues to attempt to shield his government from scrutiny by filling numerous vacancies and shuffling ministers-in-trouble in a series of moves and updates, but no reductions to his record large cabinet:
CityNews - Ford Shuffles Cabinet Including Moving Embattled Labour Minister Piccini:
CBC News - Ford shuffles cabinet, moves embattled labour minister to infrastructure profile:
The Hamilton Spectator @thespec1846.bsky.social - Doug Ford’s cabinet shuffle: Who’s new, who moved, who got promoted:
Sam Oosterhoff promoted to Minister of Agriculture
Scarborough—Rouge Park MPP Vijay Thanigasalam becomes the first associate minister of artificial intelligence adoption, part of the Ministry of Economic Development
2) Ontario Science Centre Lays Off All Science Staff
Canadian Press has revealed the troubling news that the Ontario Science Centre has laid off 30 more staff including the entire Science Department, Business Development, Security, and Live Exhibits teams. Astoundingly the Minister claims "There will be no change to the science programming and other learning experiences.":
CBC News - Ontario Science Centre lays off 31 workers, union says:
'How can you have an Ontario Science Centre with no science unit?' union local president asks
CTV News - Ontario Science Centre laying off entire science department:
Action Required - Keep speaking up and demand the return of the world-class Ontario Science Centre.
3) Waterloo Water Crisis Update
Region of Waterloo Staff reported to Council that they have found a way to cut costs and reduce timelines for water capacity improvements by changing plans for pumping stations. Staff also reported good progress on the first water treatment container installation to provide more filtration and capacity. Development approvals and permits continue to be severely restricted and the far-reaching impacts of the water crisis continue as better protection for groundwater aquifers and recharge areas, better conservation measures, and better oversight/permitting is still desperately needed.
CTV News - Waterloo Region Staff Find Water Project Savings:
CityNews - Significant Win In Water Crisis But More Staff Needed:
Action Required - Keep speaking up and demanding the sustainable water solutions and resilience we need.
4) Tornadoes confirmed, extensive (and expensive) storm damage
Experts have confirmed several tornadoes touched down in the Grand River Watershed during last Wednesday's significant storm event. In Toronto, Rogers Stadium suffered severe damage that has left it in an unusable state. S torm clean-up and recovery continues in heavily impacted areas. We need to improve resilience and preparedness for increasingly violent storms.
CBC News - EF1 tornado confirmed in Wellesley Township, 2 others confirmed in Tavistock:
The Waterloo Region Record - EF1 Tornado Confirmed In Wellesley Township:
Spectator - Rogers Stadium cancels AC/DC concert due to severe damage after ‘extraordinary weather event’:
Spectator - Destructive Ontario storms underscored gaps in severe weather preparedness: expert:
5) Regional Chair Appointment
It has been great to see the unanimous support for Regional Councillor Doug Craig's motion clearly asking for the province to retain the separate roles of Regional Chair and local Mayors and to not have them jointly performed by the same official. However, Mike Farwell points out that the province is likely to do whatever it wants and ignore local demands, as this government overrides democracy frequently. Doug Ford is likely to appoint or anoint whoever he chooses, equipped with secret mandate letters to ensure the Region's loyalty to the Ford government:
The Waterloo Region Record - Mike Farwell - Regional Council’s Stance On Who Can Be Chair Is Noble But Carries No Weight:
Action Required - Ensure concerns are heard and that democracy prevails.
6) Municipal Election News
We need to do our best to see that people are elected who share our values and are capable of serving our communities well. Look for a local group and get involved, including:
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.:
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. More election information can be found in Appendix E) at the bottom of this update.
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.
7) Recent Articles
Includes great recognition for Ontario Nature, UN recognition of a more accurate map of the globe, the long-term dangers of the disillusionment of young Canadians, Agri-Tourism, Ontario silencing ministry experts, defending climate action, how the federal government could be selling off many of Canada's best assets, and concerning (alarming!) global ocean temperature trends:
The Pointer - As Canada Slides On Conservation Targets, One Ontario Group’s Latest Acquisition Is Moving The Needle:
CBC News - UN moves away from map that makes Africa look small:
Mercator map distorts the relative size of land masses by expanding those nearer the poles
Older Mercator Map:
New One Earth Map:
Macleans Magazine - The Dangerous Disillusionment Of Young Canadians:
The Waterloo Region Record - Agri-Tourism Thrives On Authentic Experiences:
The Narwhal - We Were Essentially Silenced: How Ontario Handcuffed Its At Risk Species Experts:
The Pointer - If Climate Plan Is Credible Defend It - Youth Push Back:
The Breach - Mark Carney's Investment Summit Could Pave The Way To A Corporate Carve Up Of Canada:
Global Ocean Surface Temperature Map and Charts reveal alarming trends:
Mercator Ocean International - Ocean Temperature Bulletin August 2026
Global Sea Surface Temperature Average 1991 - 2026
Mediterranean Sea Surface Temperature Average 1991-2026
8) A Win For Wasaga Beach Piping Plovers
It's great to see the court challenge lead by Ecojustice for Ontario Nature and Environmental Defence achieve some success getting the Town of Wasaga Beach agree not to destroy crucial Piping Plover habitat before ligation. Other troubling changes at Wasaga are still underway though:
Ecojustice - Temprorary Repreive For Piping Plovers As Town Of Wasaga Beach Agrees Not To Destroy Habitat Before Litigation:
Action Required - Keep Speaking Up!
9) 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, unappealable, planning documents done right.
Woolwich Township - Has just held an Open House and announced a 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 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:
Wellesley Official Plan ERO:
Actions Required: Attend the Open House/ Public Meetings, review the postings and submit comments to the ERO before September 19th.
10) Ford Government Fiascos
The chaos, fiascos, and troubling issues continue across Ontario as the Ontario government fails repeatedly at delivering the needed products and services. Even when they cheat they fail to meet their own already low target:
Global News - Ontario hit 58% of 2025 housing goal, even after adding long-term care, student beds:
CBC News - Homelessness on the rise in Ontario while province on track to spend less, report says:
Number of unhoused people has risen by over 23% over past 4 years to over 76,000 people - Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) report
FAO Report - An Update on Homelessness Programs in Ontario (September 10, 2026)
Delayed provincial government response to requests for assistance from July and early August in the St. Catherines flooding:
CBC News - St. Catharines, Lincoln, Ont., end flooding state of emergency
Lack of transparency and accountability:
Global News - How Ford government staff crafted answers on Ontario Science Centre snowstorm survival
The Trillium - Ontario Labour Ministry violating legal orders to fulfil delayed Skills Development Fund freedom of information requests:
Troubling Freedom Of Information Issues Again:
Global News - Inside the Ford government’s pause on all freedom of information requests:
John Bowker quoted a thread by Isaac Callan (Global News) on Bluesky:
"In the wake of the Greenbelt scandal, Ontario’s Information & Privacy Commissioner flagged the Ford government’s habit of avoiding paper trails by issuing directives verbally, warning that this “raises serious accountability concerns and undermines public trust.”"
Information and Privacy Commissioner's Report:
From the thread:
Three weeks after the government changed freedom of information laws to retroactively exclude Premier Doug Ford, his cabinet and their staff from disclosing records, officials were told to put a total freeze on their work.
It was sent on Microsoft Teams to FOI coordinators working in the Ontario government.
It caused immediate confusion and concern among civil servants wondering why the entire system was being paused to implement changes to how political FOIs are handled.
Several civil servants pushed back against the decision -- asking the director who had communicated to check again. They were told every request was to be completely frozen, while new FOI wording and guidelines was drawn up.
What's particularly unusual about the freeze is it was communicated to civil servants in a Microsoft Teams group chat, not through a memo or email. Several FOI coordinators asked for the direction to be spelled out in an official email/memo. The request was denied.
11) Devil's Creek Development Concerns
It is encouraging to see fantastic grassroots community organizing to oppose development at Devil's Creek continuing with new Facebook posts:
There is a proposal to try to force 30 townhouses into a property that even the developer acknowledges is so environmentally sensitive that at least three-quarters of the site can't even be developed and must be protected. We need to ensure that entire natural areas are protected - not just some parts. A petition is online and you can learn more at the links below:
Action Required - Speak up and help to ensure this important part of Cambridge is protected and that new town houses are built in a better location without such environmental impact and threatening water aquifers.
12) 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
13) Applying The Drainage Act To Communal Green Infrastructure
Join municipal staff, developers, and landscape architects in a webinar to explore how the Ontario Drainage Act impacts communal green infrastructure. Hosted by GreenWR and engineers from the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA), this presentation explores how communal green infrastructure and rainwater harvesting systems can be implemented across multiple properties to address stormwater, flooding, water conservation, and climate resilience challenges in both new and existing urban developments.
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 23rd from 11:00am to 1pm
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shared-solutionsapplying-the-drainage-act-to-communal-green-infrastructure-tickets-1995817390541
14) Martin Grove Gateway Industrial Park Proposal Will Breach And Destroy Countryside Line
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: Tuesday, September 15th 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!
15) 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.
16) 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: https://getpumpedwr.ca/
17) 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. https://www.cambridgebutterfly.com/monarch-tagging-weekend-3/\
18) 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.
Friday, September 11th at 5:30pm - Next GREN Update Zoom meeting -
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09
Saturday, September 12th & Sunday September 13th - Monarch Butterfly Tagging Weekend 2026 at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Road, Cambridge
https://www.cambridgebutterfly.com/monarch-tagging-weekend-3/
Sunday, September 13th from 1pm to 7pm - ClimateFest, Gaukel Bloc, Kitchener
Thursday, September 17th at 7pm - Together for Nature Tour in Kitchener - see section 12 for details
Sunday, September 20th from 9am to 1pm - rare Trail Party, Riverbluffs Park, Cambridge
https://raceroster.com/events/2026/130591/2026-trail-party-walk-hike-or-run-for-rare
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 - visit https://protestdougford.com/
Monday, September 28th from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Ward 3 and 4 - Councillor Meeting/Debate - New Hamburg Community Centre
Tuesday, September 29th at 7pm - Get Pumped Heat Pump info event - Wellesley Recreation Complex - registration required - see section 16 for details
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) Wilmot Community Election Debates
D) Nith Valley Ecoboosters Repair Cafe - Saturday, September 26th at 9:30am
E) Water and the Election -
The poster can be downloaded and printed:
F) 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
G) 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:
H) Sebringville Letter - Who Protects Ontario's Villages?
From: Cathy Winhold <cathywinhold@gmail.com>
Subject: When Political Favour Replaces Planning Law, Who Protects Ontario’s Villages?
Date: September 8, 2026 at 11:04:36 AM EDT
When Political Favour Replaces Planning Law, Who Protects Ontario’s Villages?
When Perth South Council hosts the official public meeting for the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) on September 15, leadership will likely reassure residents that they have "done their homework" and that community concerns are "resolved."
Local media coverage often treats these claims as standard procedure, repeating assertions that technical servicing details will simply be worked out down the road, while framing a minor unit reduction from 301 to 265 as a meaningful compromise. Trimming 36 units while keeping four multi-story apartment buildings and dense townhome blocks without existing servicing in a rural village completely misses the point. If community concerns were actually acted on, this proposal would conform to the current Perth County Official Plan. Period.
The sheer scale of this proposed 265-unit development is unprecedented for any settlement area in Perth County. Even the nearby town of St. Marys does not have this concentration of dense multi-residential block housing in a single development.
What is happening in Sebringville sets a dangerous, province-wide precedent: if local and county governments can grant high-density exceptions by bypassing their own Official Plans, every rural village in Ontario becomes open to commercial exploitation.
At its core, this proposal is driven by simple land economics. Rural village land is significantly cheaper than urban land in fully serviced hubs where high-density growth is actually planned under our Official Plan. Passing a lower-tier Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) and upper-tier Official Plan Amendment (OPA) multiplies the market value of that land, handing a private developer massive financial uplift before a single servicing test is proven on the public record. The developer captures the financial windfall of urban-scale density on cheap rural land, while offloading long-term water and infrastructure risks onto existing and future residents.
Compounding this, the developer-led and funded Environmental Assessment (EA) reached the astonishing conclusion that leaving existing residents on their private wells and septic systems was preferable to expanding municipal infrastructure, operating on the flawed assumption that the status quo is good enough. In reality, maintaining the status quo while introducing a massive communal system serving only the proposed development does not protect existing homeowners. Instead, it exposes them to unquantified hydrogeological risks while denying them the security of municipal servicing.
Far from creating a "complete community," which is a core requirement emphasized in the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS 2024) to ensure housing is matched with transit, daily commercial services, and public amenities, this proposal simply drops 265 high-density residential units into a partially serviced village (the Black Creek well serves only 33 residences). Sebringville has no public transit, no grocery store, and no daily commercial amenities except a gas station and a diner. Adding basic sidewalks and a park placed adjacent to active railway tracks and beside a sewage plant does not create a complete community. It creates an isolated, car-dependent commuter block while providing zero servicing infrastructure for the new local businesses that would support a growing population.
The geography of potential hydrogeological risk is another critical concern. Sebringville is physically divided between Perth South and Perth East Townships, but water does not follow municipal lines, and residents on both sides of the boundary draw from the same bedrock aquifer. Assuring Perth East residents that they face no potential impact simply because the development is situated in Perth South overlooks basic hydrogeological principles: large-scale groundwater extraction creates a drawdown area that can extend across township borders and affect surrounding private wells.
While 33 homes in Sebringville are connected to a small municipal well system governed by the Safe Drinking Water Act, the vast majority of residents rely entirely on private drinking wells. The proposed servicing plan links the existing municipal well to the developer's new system to create a backup supply for those 33 homes. Private well owners are left with no such protection, with no backup valves, or automatic provincial monitoring. If a private well experiences drawdown, contamination, or structural alteration from test well construction or heavy communal pumping, individual homeowners are left directly exposed to financial loss, property devaluation, and the potential disruption of their drinking water.
This lack of a safety net leaves our community exceptionally vulnerable. When provincial reviews flagged critical data gaps in the servicing studies, Ministry hydrogeologists formally characterized the developer’s water data as "marginally suitable" and its safety conclusions as "overreaching," explicitly noting that "it is up to the proponent to determine uncertainty." Rather than acting as an independent watchdog and requiring independent proof, the Township, acting as a co-proponent on the EA, jointly accepted that hydrogeological uncertainty, endorsing a servicing model that leaves private well owners with no safety net and no remedy beyond civil litigation after a well has already failed.
When community members raise these concerns, municipal leadership offers sweeping personal reassurances, asking residents to trust that technical details will be worked out later. But a Mayor’s role is not to offer verbal comfort while advancing planning approvals; leadership's duty is to ensure rigorous regulatory oversight and heed objective technical data. By dismissing written warnings from provincial scientists, the Township has forfeited its duty to protect the public. Political reassurances cannot replenish a depleted aquifer, and verbal promises will not restore property values if private wells fail.
Physical conditions on the ground demonstrate the reality of this hazard. A test well on the property has a steel casing down to 30 metres, but below that, 95 metres of borehole extends uncased through open bedrock. Because this well pierces through multiple water-producing layers, it creates an open column deep underground. Hydrogeologically, this borehole connects directly to the same shared aquifer that feeds surrounding private wells, allowing the mixing of otherwise distinct layers. Leaving an open, 95-metre bedrock pathway in active farmland without routine testing is an unmanaged risk that forces surrounding homeowners to carry the physical and financial burden alone.
This push is happening alongside alarming environmental oversight failures. Under Township By-law 57-2021, Perth South signed an agreement putting the private developer in charge of coordinating and funding the Environmental Assessment, effectively treating the municipality as a commercial partner rather than an independent regulator. When concerned residents funded an independent, third-party peer review out of their own pockets to ensure neutral oversight, the Township refused to consider it. That wasn’t part of the agreement.
Instead, Council and the applicant have relied on procedural disclaimers, arguing that critical water stress tests can simply be deferred to post-approval administrative steps like the Permit to Take Water (PTTW) process. But using a ministry disclaimer to justify granting upfront zoning density violates Section 3.6 of the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS 2024), which mandates that sewage and water servicing feasibility must be proven before land-use approvals are granted. Pushing long-term pumping tests into post-approval design phases grants the developer permanent, highly lucrative density rights before water safety is proven while leaving surrounding private well owners exposed to unquantified drawdown risks with zero safety net or administrative recourse once the zoning is passed. A municipality cannot legally or ethically act as a joint-venture partner with a developer while simultaneously serving as the objective guardian of the public interest.
Furthermore, the process itself is legally broken. Perth South Council and Perth County Council are attempting to advance a "deferred motion" for an Official Plan Amendment (OPA 222) tied to a previous Official Plan that has since been repealed. Passing a lower-tier Zoning By-law Amendment based on defunct policy violates Section 24 of the Planning Act, which mandates that all local zoning decisions must conform to the upper-tier Official Plan currently in effect.
Why are these upcoming public meetings our final line of defense? Because under Bill 185, the Ontario government completely eliminated third-party appeal rights to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
The procedural roadmap is moving fast. The Township of Perth South is hosting its ZBA public meeting on September 15, with Perth County Council planning to hold its key Official Plan Amendment meeting in October. We encourage all concerned residents, from both Perth South and Perth East, to attend the September 15 public meeting in full force, step up to the microphone, and demand direct answers to these critical water and planning questions. Under Ontario planning rules, making your voice heard on the formal public record now is crucial.
But the statutory buck stops at Perth County. While Perth South Council votes on local zoning, Perth County Council holds ultimate authority as the statutory approval body for Official Plan Amendments. If Perth County Council grants these high-density permissions, the developer secures permanent land density rights, and the community's statutory administrative appeal options are stripped away under Bill 185. However, eliminating OLT appeals does not grant municipal or county authorities immunity from Judicial Review in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice if they pass by-laws that violate Section 24 of the Planning Act, abandon their statutory regulatory duties, or demonstrate administrative bias. Our community is actively examining all legal avenues to hold this decision accountable.
Since third-party OLT appeals have been scrapped, Perth County’s role cannot simply be processing paperwork, accommodating developer timelines, and managing deferred motions. It must be the objective shield that protects public interest and statutory law. The Perth County Official Plan is the ultimate shield against political bias, speculative pressure, and external developer influence. We are counting on County Planning and Perth County Council to treat this application with absolute objectivity, uphold their professional standards, and enforce the rules currently in effect.
Municipal office exists to protect public infrastructure, environmental safety, and community health, not to act as a processing agent for private land speculation. On September 15 at Perth South and at the upcoming October County Council meeting, both councils must reject procedural shortcuts, enforce the low-density mandate of our Official Plan, and defer all planning approvals until complete, independent water safety data is placed on the public record. When our private drinking wells have no backup, our groundwater and provincial planning laws are non-negotiable.
We aren't asking for a compromise, a favour, or a miracle. We are simply asking our government to follow its own laws.
#onpoli #groundwater #perthcounty #politicsnews
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Cathy Winhold, cathywinhold@gmail.com
I) 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
Mastodon: @kthomason@mstdn.ca
E-mail: kevinthomason@mac.com
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