Week of August 17, 2026 - OLT Forces Hamilton Urban Boundary Expansion, Election Season Starts, Data Centre Concerns, Farmland Destruction and Wilmot Barn Demolition Headlines Newspapers, Join Us Today At 5:30pm to Discuss

This week a lot of news came out of the annual AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) conference in Ottawa, where elected representatives from municipalities province-wide get a chance to hear from and meet with the premier, cabinet members and MPPs from all parties. Municipalities requested more support from the province but the province appears to be mostly focussed on their own agenda.

Municipal elections will be entering the next phase - the nomination period closes Friday at 2pm, and campaigns will begin to gear up.

It is extremely frustrating to see the province and Ontario Land Tribunal forcing the City of Hamilton to destroy thousands of acres of farmland to expand its municipal boundary significantly - undermining significant sustainability efforts to grow within City limits, focus on missing-middle housing, use infrastructure more cost effectively and significantly expand public transit.

On September 3rd are three provincial byelections - including the East Hamilton - Stoney Creek riding. The byelections present excellent opportunities to send the Ford government a strong message that they have lost public support and are going in the wrong directions.

Let’s find ways to work together and support the candidates who will make better decisions about our future - based on the public’s best interests - in our local Council chambers and at Queen’s Park.

Please join us online today, Friday August 21 at 5:30pm to discuss all this and more.

Topic: Grand River Watershed Zoom Meeting
Time: Friday August 21, 2026 at 5:30pm Eastern
Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701 Passcode: 713374

Here's the latest:

1) Devastating OLT Decisions: Hamilton Forced Urban Boundary Expansion - 1,600 Hectares Of Farmland To Be Destroyed For Unnecessary Urban Sprawl And Burlington Quarry Expansion Approved

Three appointed OLT members have overridden years of work by municipal staff and democratically elected governments to focus growth inside current urban boundaries and instead have ordered Hamilton to destroy thousands of acres of farmland for subdivisions.

The province has made changes to the OLT, and recently the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) that favour developers. OLT decisions that favour developers are costing municipalities across the province millions and millions of taxpayer dollars. In the Hamilton case, three development groups benefit, and the decision upends the City’s forward-thinking strategy to hold growth within the firm city boundary and better utilize expensive infrastructure. This is particularly frustrating after years of extraordinary efforts by the City and grassroots organizations to protect the firm urban boundary. A 2021 mail-out survey of Hamilton residents confirmed the overwhelming public support for the City to hold the boundary firm.

The opposition to the aggregate pit expansion included the City of Burlington and numerous environmental groups. This is an extremely disappointing result in light of the quarry’s location near Mount Nemo Conservation Area on the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO biosphere reserve - habitat for hundreds of species of animals and plants - and the quarry operations may put air and water quality as well as quality of life for nearby residents at serious risk.

The Hamilton Spectator @thespec1846.bsky.social - Tribunal orders Hamilton to expand urban boundary by 1600 hectares:

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/hamilton-needs-1600-hectare-urban-expansion-tribunal/article_a77b7ea6-47af-545c-af84-5fb9dfdd902e.html

Public Record - Ontario Land Tribunal Orders Hamilton to Expand Urban Boundary by at Least 1,600 Hectares:

https://thepublicrecord.ca/2026/08/ontario-land-tribunal-overturns-hamilton-urban-boundary-freeze/

CBC News - Ontario Land Tribunal decision to expand Hamilton's urban boundary 'quite distressing,' says mayor:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/urban-boundary-expansion-hamilton-9.7311002

CBC News - Ontario tribunal approves Burlington quarry expansion, despite opposition of city, environmental groups:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/olt-decision-nelson-aggregate-quarry-9.7312647

The Hamilton Spectator - Contentious Burlington quarry expansion receives tribunal approval, despite local opposition:

https://www.thespec.com/news/nelson-quarry-expansion-olt-decision/article_c06404dc-6edc-5e14-9716-e51d64124774.html

2) Election Season Starts In Ontario

Friday at 2pm is the deadline to register and lawn signs are already appearing across Ontario as campaigns go into full swing for the municipal and regional elections on October 26th. A concerning trend in the Ontario municipal elections is the lack of candidates - more seats are going uncontested -although a last minute flurry of candidate registrations in some municipalities such as Wilmot Township is helping to ensure that positions on council aren't acclaimed or constituents left without representation:

CBC News - Some Ontario municipal seats remain uncontested ahead of election nomination deadline:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-municipal-election-deadline-uncontested-seats-9.7313674

Is it time for term limits? With candidates lacking in some cases, this may be counter-intuitive, however when council is dominated for years by the same representatives, term limits would help ensure fresh perspectives are considered.

Etobicoke Voice - How Long Is Too Long? A Conversation About Term Limits In Municipal Politics

https://theetobicokevoice.substack.com/p/how-long-is-too-long-a-conversation

Provincial By-Elections - There are also three provincial by-elections scheduled for September 3rd: Hamilton East - Stoney Creek, Scarborough Southwest, and York - Simcoe. Find more details about these by-elections here:

https://www.elections.on.ca/en.html

Here's also a terrific Op-Ed well worth reading and acting upon:

The Hamilton Spectator - Opinion: Send Doug Ford a message when you vote in the upcoming by-election:

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/columnists/send-doug-ford-a-message-on-sept-3/article_457d2a08-8885-5da7-a58e-5267b53a0f40.html

Federal By-Election - One federal by-election will also take place in Ontario on August 31st in Beaches-East York - the seat vacated by MP Nate Erskine-Smith in the hopes of seeking the leadership of the Ontario Liberals. His plan fell apart when his nomination bid to be the Liberal candidate for the Scarborough Southwest provincial by-election failed. This week Erskine-Smith announced his candidacy for Toronto City Council:

CBC News - Former Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith to run for council seat in Beaches-East York

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/former-liberal-mp-nate-erskine-smith-council-race-beaches-east-york-9.7311920

A date has not yet been set for the by-election to fill the vacant seat now that Brantford-South Brant-Six Nations MP Larry Brock recently announced his departure from politics.

LeadWR and VisionWR - It is fantastic to see local community groups forming to help get progressive leaders elected in the upcoming elections. Watch for more information and announcements in the coming weeks on debates, canvassing, mentorship, and more.

Wilmot Township All Candidates Meetings - Dates have already been announced for all candidate meetings in Wilmot Township:

All Ward Councillor Meeting/Debate - Monday, September 28th from 7pm to 9pm, New Hamburg Community Centre

Mayoral Meeting/Debate - Wednesday, September 30th from 7pm to 9pm, New Hamburg Community Centre

Local Municipal and Regional Election Candidate info - Learn who the nominated candidates are for your municipality and region:

City of Guelph:

https://guelph.ca/city-government/mayor-and-council/municipal-elections/candidates-of-the-2026-municipal-and-school-board-election/

Wellington County:

https://www.centrewellington.ca/township-services/2026-municipal-election/

Waterloo Regional Council - Note: Regional Chair is no longer an elected position:

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/government-and-council/elections/2026-municipal-election/#RegionalCouncillor-Waterloo

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:

https://www.haldimandcounty.ca/government-administration/elections/2026-municipal-election/registered-candidates/

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

Action Required: With federal and provincial by-elections upcoming with the municipal election, it is important for us to do whatever we can to support strong candidates and to get the vote out. Get involved, step forward, and assist however you can to ensure that we get the representation we need for the greater public good in October.

3) Data Centre Concerns

Late last week Doug Ford announced Ontario’s data centre playbook in Guelph while dozens of protesters rapidly assembled outside - he pressed his position that municipalities must accept data centres as necessary for the economy. Not everyone shares this provincial point of view.

Here's the official provincial press release:

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007871/ontario-launches-data-centre-playbook

Submit comments to the ERO by September 12th at 11:59pm:

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0853

Media Coverage - Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social has done an excellent overview of the concerns about data centres for the Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca:

The Narwhal - Doug Ford is pushing back at data centre resistance — but vows projects will pay their own way

https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-ai-data-centres-explained/

Waterloo Journal - Waterloo Region’s AI Data Centre Debate: What Is Being Built, Who Controls It and Could Residents Pay More?:

https://waterloojournal.ca/local-politics/waterloo-region-ai-data-centre-debate

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) - Ontario’s new AI data centre playbook is flawed. We can fix it.:

https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/ontarios-new-ai-data-centre-playbook-is-flawed-we-can-fix-it/

“The playbook frames AI data centres in economic terms, without proper safeguards for the public and the environment.”

CBC News - What's the difference between traditional and AI data centres? This Waterloo prof says it's their computers:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/traditional-ai-data-centres-9.7310102

The Hamilton Spectator - Doug Ford says Ontario needs data centres to protect Canadians from Donald Trump

https://www.thespec.com/thestar/politics/provincial/doug-ford-says-ontario-needs-data-centres-to-protect-canadians-from-donald-trump/article_613544f4-8b51-5988-86da-665946eeeca7.html

The Hamilton Spectator - Ontario moves to regulate data centres amid electricity and environmental concerns

https://www.thespec.com/thestar/politics/provincial/ontario-moves-to-regulate-data-centres-amid-electricity-and-environmental-concerns/article_07e6dcc7-d7bd-5c9f-9f30-ab68faf13c88.html

New One-Click Petition - The Water Watchers has a new one-click data centre petition you can sign:

https://win.newmode.net/waterwatchers/municipaldatacentremoratorium

Data Centres - Speak up now to ensure our communities are faced with the challenges before so many other communities around the world dealing with massive data centres. Speak up and submit comments to the ERO. The comment period is only 30 days and closes September 12th, 2026 so be sure to speak up and be part of the public record at: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0853.

4) Wilmot Mega-Industrial Land Assembly - Region Demolishes Barns, Heavy Security Guards Empty Fields, Media Raises Serious Questions

In an astonishing waste of taxpayer money, apparently determined to ensure that prime Wilmot farmland can never be used again for agriculture, the Region of Waterloo and Province quickly demolished historic barns and buildings with no public notice. Not only were buildings and materials wasted - little seems to have been reclaimed or recycled or sent to museums - tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars were wasted on 24 hour security guards posted 7 days per week at multiple farm laneways keeping watch over empty fields in an effort to hide who knows what.

Several excellent media articles this week asked why are the Region of Waterloo and Provincial government so determined to destroy these farms? The community has made it clear that it isn't a willing host for a mega-industrial site. This development isn't part of the current Official Plan, nor is it part of the inadequate, minimal 30 year Official Plan just approved by Wilmot Township Council that makes it clear the municipality wishes to remain a small, rural, agriculturally focused community.

It is all such a waste of taxpayer money that has yet to have a single public meeting or follow any proper planning.

The Waterloo Region Record - Luisa D’Amato - Something Big Is Happening At Wilmot’s Industrial Megasite. Why Are We In The Dark?:

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/wilmot-megasite-proceeds-without-public-input/article_687ccbf2-c2b3-51b7-897f-bc8ee23cf3b9.html

The Waterloo Region Record - Susanna Compton - Bulldozing Barns Underlines Region’s Disregard For Wilmot:

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/contributors/bulldozing-barns-underlines-regions-disregard-for-wilmot/article_52d5ad9e-0c5c-508f-ae4d-5e6612958af1.html

"In bulldozing those buildings without saving anything to reuse or to even place in a museum, the region has again shown this community, and all the rural townships, that their lifestyle, heritage and integrity are not important. They are only in the way. Just like the people."

The Woolwich Observer - Susanna Compton - Local Advocate Recalls The Early Days Of Region's Wilmot Land Grab:

https://www.observerxtra.com/local-advocate-recalls-the-early-days-of-the-regions-wilmot-land-grab/

ICYM - The Waterloo Region Record @therecord.com - Region Demolishes Buildings On 770-acre Mega-Site In Wilmot:

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/region-demolishes-buildings-for-land-assembly-in-wilmot/article_f07b24d7-c11b-537c-8f0b-db209cd5ca51.html?

Action Required - We need to keep calling out, speaking up, and ensure that this is an election issue for the entire region. Continue to send the clear message to the Region and Province that Wilmot is not a willing host for a mega-industrial site. With elections pending, it's critical that only candidates promising to cancel this fiasco are elected.

5) Waterloo Water Crisis - New Well Interference Survey

This week the Region of Waterloo released a public feedback survey on plans for the new Well Interference Committee and complaints policy.

Changes include dramatically increased compensation for well issues, independent third party investigators, a proper appeal committee, and many other important improvements that will help to rebuild trust and credibility.

Please take a few minutes to speak up and fill out the survey as this impacts everyone in Waterloo Region - not just Wilmot Township:

Engage WR Groundwater Policy Survey:

https://www.engagewr.ca/groundwater-interference-complaints-policy-update

Recent Media - includes:

The Waterloo Region Record - We Need To Build Trust And Accountability: New Complaints Process Unveiled For Rural Well Owners:

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/rural-well-owners-getting-new-deal/article_9aaa055b-642e-52ff-ac34-a48b94e33d12.html

CityNews - Well Owners, Councillors Get First Look At New Well Interference Policy:

https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2026/08/13/well-owners-councillors-get-first-look-at-new-well-interference-policy/?

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).

6) Massive Hespeler Subdivision Proposal Heads To Ontario Land Tribunal Yet Again

In a very concerning move, the huge developers behind a massive urban sprawl expansion and loss of farmland in Hespeler that isn't part of any Official Plan is heading again to the Ontario Land Tribunal as the developers continue their desperate attempts to force this development of thousands of homes onto our communities despite no demonstrated need for this housing for the next 30 years:

CambridgeToday.ca - Developers Apple To Tribunal Over City’s Refusal Of Northwest Hespeler Proposal:

https://www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/developers-appeal-to-tribunal-over-citys-refusal-of-northwest-hespeler-proposal-12638872

The community groups fighting this development proposal have a petition that you can sign with one-click:

Change.org Petition - https://www.change.org/p/protect-prime-agricultural-land-in-north-west-hespeler

Action Required - Speak up and ensure that it is our citizens and elected officials deciding the future of our communities - not land speculators determined to destroy every farm that they can.

7) Very Concerning Martin Grove Gateway Industrial Park Proposal Continues To Make Front Page News

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 Martin Grove 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, or 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.

It was fantastic to see once again much of the entire front page of this week's Woolwich Observer devoted to the concerns local residents have about this proposed industrial park as Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy toured the site:

The Woolwich Observer - Green Party MPP Tours Controversial Development Site:

https://www.observerxtra.com/green-party-mpp-tours-controversial-development-site/

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.

The Woolwich Observer - Talk Returns In The Community About The Countryside Line:

https://www.observerxtra.com/talk-returns-in-the-community-about-the-countryside-line/

Learn more at the Township of Woolwich Engage Page:

https://www.engagewr.ca/cra-lands-limited

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.

8) Increasing Risk: Flooding And Fires, Recycling And Conservation Authority Changes

There are still many active wildfires in northwestern Ontario with entire communities burnt to the ground and others still evacuated. Calls continue for a public inquiry into the province's dismal response to the wildfires in northern Ontario.

Some will remember the massive tire fire in Hagersville in 1990. What happens when wildfires ignite massive stockpiles of tires? And what will be the impact of the reduced number of Conservation Authorities when there is extreme flooding (like what took place in Niagara in July)?:

The Hamilton Spectator - Thousands of used tires piling up in Ontario, some in wildfire areas. ‘Once the tires go up, there’s going to be no putting them out.’:

https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/this-thunder-bay-used-tire-hauler-fears-the-worst-as-her-stockpile-grows-amid-cuts-to-recycling-targets/article_07dd7e92-135a-5a3a-8751-462564963ff0.html

CTV News - Wildfire season tracking to be 4th worst on record; fire risk remains elevated:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/wildfires/article/wildfire-season-tracking-to-be-4th-worst-on-record/

The Hamilton Spectator - Will bigger conservation authorities mean weaker flooding defence?:

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/flood-management-conservation-authorities-doug-ford/article_407f1172-9e63-503c-9d26-5d83a625e4f0.html

The Hamilton Spectator - Recent Niagara flooding won’t be the last - more extreme weather ahead expert says:

https://www.thespec.com/news/niagara-region/niagara-climate-change-storms-intensify/article_0fcb725d-e2d3-58bd-bfc6-d7d939f48e43.html

McMaster climate scientist warns southern Ontario residents could soon see more intense rainfall in future

CBC News - ‘Rare’ weather phenomena hit Niagara with multiple storms at once, leading to flooding: meteorologist:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/flooding-st-catharines-convergence-of-factors-9.7310346

The Pointer - After torrential rains hit St. Catharines, dangerous contaminants could be flowing off GM site

https://thepointer.com/article/2026-08-11/after-torrential-rains-hit-st-catharines-dangerous-contaminants-could-be-flowing-off-gm-property

9) PC Party Corruption And Expense Scandal Grows

The Premier continues to be unapologetic when asked about his party’s decision to send someone to Jamaica to surveil Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie while she was on vacation. Reporters continue to investigate this affair finding hidden charges from Jamaica buried in expense reports and party election filings as Doug Ford continues to try to normalize this outrageous breach of ethics and decency as normal politics.

There's a fantastic new claymation animated video and song out by Alex Huot about this provincial corruption - take three minutes to watch it and it will make your day with a catchy song stuck in your head all weekend too!

New Alex Huot Video: Protect Ontario from Doug:

https://youtu.be/KrgsV66P7gs?si=Sphtq097NGc0zyjC

Other recent media includes:

Breach Media - The Rise and Potential Fall Of Doug Ford:

https://breachmedia.ca/the-rise-and-potential-fall-of-doug-ford/

CBC News - Ford's Texas trip to talk trade, tariffs cost taxpayers over $93K, internal document reveals:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-doug-ford-texas-trip-cost-9.7312305

Ford’s “expected meeting with Texas governor and longtime Trump ally Greg Abbott did not happen.”

“CBC News asked the premier's office for a breakdown of the expenses, but it did not provide one in its response.”

The Hamilton Spectator- Progressive Conservative party defends cabinet minister’s riding association spending:

https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/progressive-conservative-party-defends-cabinet-ministers-riding-association-spending/article_b4f6a88d-e551-555b-bf5e-02ed931381e9.html

The Toronto Star - What $3,400 oyster dinners and luxury beef bills reveal about spending by some PC riding associations:

https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/fine-dining-oysters-and-axe-throwing-inside-elections-ontario-filings-that-reveal-how-some-doug-ford-cabinet-riding-associations-spend-donor-cash/article_784fe9ed-1ba5-40a4-bacc-a02d4d17a586.html?

Interesting to see that Kitchener-Conestoga’s Mike Harris Jr spent nothing on local meetings while other cabinet ministers averaged tens of thousands of dollars a year in venue and food expenses. Liberal and NDP expense filings show minimal expenses of just hundreds of dollars contrasting the hundreds of thousands of dollars of Conservative entertaining.

The Pointer - ‘They have no respect for you’: Peel MPPs at the centre of PC expense scandal remain silent:

https://thepointer.com/article/2026-08-14/they-have-no-respect-for-you-peel-mpps-at-the-centre-of-pc-expense-scandal-remain-silent

The Hamilton Spectator - Why the Tories’ Jamaica spy mission against Bonnie Crombie is a headache for Doug Ford:

https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/why-the-tories-jamaican-spy-mission-against-bonnie-crombie-is-a-headache-for-doug-ford/article_2b113adf-d8f7-52b4-865c-1467d241e2e7.html

Graeme MacKay @mackaycartoons.bsky.social cartoon:

https://bsky.app/profile/mackaycartoons.bsky.social/post/3mte55jvqoc2s

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/editorial-cartoons/doug-ford-conservatives-spy-liberal-leader-bonnie-crombie/article_eca7ac90-602d-5ad7-bfec-76ab1e21692a.html

10) Recent Articles

Includes a huge loss for Toronto bike lanes, hunting re-opens for Sandhill Cranes, how another pipeline will undermine Canada's climate policy, so much for Captain Canada as concerns about the new $750 teacher spending program and its sole American partner increase, and new Ford ads to target teachers:

The Trillium - Court Gives Ford Green Light To Tear Out Toronto Bike Lanes:

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/bike-lanes-ford-government-green-light-tear-out-court-rules-12666111?

The Toronto Star - Want Bike Lanes - Go To The Polls - Not The Courts:

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/want-bike-lanes-go-to-the-polls-not-the-courts/article_566bfa37-f9e7-49f1-a6fa-f4f60d25ee24.html

The Narwhal - Ontario Sandhill Cranes Hunting Reopens:

https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-sandhill-cranes-hunting-reopens/

The Waterloo Region Record - Another Pipeline Will Undermine Canada's Climate Policy:

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/another-pipeline-will-undermine-canadas-climate-policy/article_7476c0d1-3b2d-53f2-acfb-d666c4a67963.html

Premier Ford Met With Loblaw CEO 1 Day After Dismissing Grocery Pricing Legislation:

https://globalnews.ca/news/12023959/premier-ford-met-loblaw-ceo-dismissing-grocery-pricing-legislation/

The Trillium - Ford Government Preparing Ads Taking Aim At Teacher Unions:

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/education-and-training/ford-government-preparing-education-ads-taking-aim-at-teacher-unions-as-contract-talks-grind-to-a-halt-leaked-script-12674031

The Hamilton Spectator- Ontario Picks Vendor For New $750 Teacher Spending Program. Critics Say Government Is Oblivious To How The System Works:

https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/ontario-picks-vendor-for-new-750-teacher-spending-program-heres-where-they-can-buy-school-supplies/article_6c454578-615f-506e-abb8-3d875d30718f.html

11) Mid-August Is Prime Time For Government Announcements?

Many may be watching the ongoing trade negotiations, or enjoying summer vacation - meanwhile various levels of government have been busy making all kinds of announcements.

Energy:

CBC News - NL, Quebec to sign new Churchill Falls agreement worth billions - with help from Ottawa:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/new-churchill-falls-deal-announced-wakeham-carney-frechette-9.7309135

According to the federal government, altogether these projects represent the largest clean energy investment in North American history, valued at nearly $70 billion — and will nearly triple the current generating capacity of Churchill Falls

CBC News - What the Churchill Falls deal means for Quebec and the provincial election:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/churchill-falls-energy-deal-quebec-election-9.7310261

Skills Development Fund:

Let’s hope Ontario’s auditor general and the opposition parties are not on vacation as this sixth round for this scandal-ridden fund was announced. Previous rounds saw millions upon millions of dollars awarded to many PC-connected (as well as some sketchy) organizations and companies through what can best be described as an opaque selection process overseen by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Investigations are ongoing. Multiple calls for the resignation of the minister have been completely ignored.

CBC News - Ontario to spend $10 M on new skills development training programs:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-spending-10-million-dollars-skills-development-training-programs-9.7311372

Province’s announcement:

Ontario Investing More Than $9.8 Million to Protect and Train Workers in Major Canadian Industries:

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007896/ontario-investing-more-than-98-million-to-protect-and-train-workers-in-major-canadian-industries

2026 AMO Conference in Ottawa

CBC News - Province, feds roll out $1B for municipalities that don't charge development fees:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/province-feds-roll-out-1b-for-municipalities-that-don-t-charge-development-fees-9.7309180

Note, in other related news:

Expositor - Brantford, Six Nations announce new memorandum of understanding

https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/brantford-six-nations-announce-new-memorandum-of-understanding

MOU to ensure Six Nations will share in the prosperity generated by development on the so-call boundary lands, 3,060 hectares (7,563 acres) of land transferred to Brantford from the County of Brant in 2016.

Funding for the community prosperity fund for Six Nations of the Grand River will come from development charges

CTV News - Waterloo delegation heads to AMO conference to push local priorities:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/waterloo-delegation-heads-to-amo-conference-to-push-local-priorities/

TVO - Analysis: Ontario’s municipalities want a ‘new deal’ — but they might not like the one they get:

https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-ontarios-municipalities-want-a-new-deal-but-they-might-not-like-the-one-they-get

Related article:

Global News - Punished for dissent: top municipal officials speak out about working with Ford government:

https://globalnews.ca/news/12024792/punished-for-dissent-top-municipal-officials-speak-out-about-ford-government/

Youth Climate Corps: An Announcement that’s gone nowhere:

The Pointer - Canada’s young people will feel the brunt of climate change, the Carney government is cutting them out of the process to help prevent it:

https://thepointer.com/article/2026-08-16/canada-s-young-people-will-feel-the-brunt-of-climate-change-the-carney-government-is-cutting-them-out-of-the-process-to-help-prevent-it

12) PM Carney’s CEO Summit

Watch this closely as the world's largest investors are coming to Canada:

Canadian Dimension - Carney’s CEO summit could put public assets on the table

The world’s largest investors are coming to Toronto, with airports and other public infrastructure potentially up for grabs

https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/carneys-ceo-summit-could-put-public-assets-on-the-table

13) Upcoming Bio-Regioning Conference

Are you passionate about the long term future of the Grand River Watershed? Please feel welcome to join the Grand River Watershed Hub as we share that passion. We are currently organizing a confluence - a group of people coming together from our watershed - for this year’s r 3.0 Global Conference from Sept 8-10. Part of our effort is to co-create a local knowledge commons - this involves weaving connections, developing relationships, mapping and learning about the good work people are already doing. Good work - regenerative work - includes restoring and protecting local rivers, groundwater, recharge areas and natural spaces, efforts towards food sovereignty, community gardens, regenerative farming, planting native trees & shrubs, permaculture design, invasive species mitigation, land trusts, pollinator and healing gardens, protecting wildlife habitat and improving biodiversity and much more.

There will be many opportunities to exchange ideas and learn about good work happening around the globe!

This year’s conference theme is Bioregional Regeneration as Collapse Resilience: Earth-centric Biocultural Kinship, Knowledge & Governance. To participate, become a member of the Hub. You’ll find all of the registration details in our online space. Advance registration for the conference is required - before August 28th. There is no cost to join the Hub, and registration fees for the conference are waived when you register as a member of our Confluence. To learn more about the r3.0 Conference visit the conference website:

https://conference2026.r3-0.org/

To join the Grand River Watershed Hub and register for the conference, visit:

https://design-school-for-regenerating-earth.mn.co/plans/1904678?bundle_token=86deee24490dbafd1b3c2b0ab27bf7e8&utm_source=manual

14) More Puslinch Gravel Pits

It looks like more gravel pits are going to be coming to Puslinch Township with taking below the water table destroying farmland currently growing corn:

The Anthony Pit:

https://puslinch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/9.4.1-COR-2026-039-Schedule-B-1st-Submission-Zoning-Bylaw-Amendment-and-Comment-Summary.pdf

Action Required - Speak up and demand better outcomes in our communities.

15) Pipelines and Climate Action

The plan for constructing a BC-Alberta pipeline will cost tens of billions of dollars. What is the federal government doing to offset climate impact?

Canada's National Observer - Feds throw $34 million at climate change adaptation programs:

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/08/12/news/feds-34-million-climate-change-adaptation-programs

Take Action! - Sign this new petition from Greenpeace against taxpayer funded pipelines in Canada:

https://act.greenpeace.ca/en-ca/no-taxpayer-funded-pipelines?

Build the Future - Not Pipelines! - The Federal government has announced a public consultation process for the recently announced West Coast Pipeline. We have until September 18th to speak up, push back and tell the federal government our concerns. Environmental Defence has created a great one-click letter for you to send to Prime Minister Mark Carney and tell him to reject the proposed tax-payer funded West Coast pipeline and restore key environmental protections:

https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/194584/action/1

Action Required - Speak up for the sustainable energy and future we need - not more pipelines.

16) 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 - https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ontario-nature/events/together-for-nature-tour-kitchener/

17) 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

18) ClimateFest 2026 - Sunday, September 13th 1pm To 7pm

Join ClimateActionWR and dozens of community groups again this year at ClimateFest in downtown Kitchener. There will be lots of booths, workshops, cooking demonstrations, a climate supermarket, repair cafe and much more.

Date/Time: Sunday, September 13th from 1pm to 7pm

Location: Gaukel Block, Downtown Kitchener

19) 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: www.getpumpwr.ca

20) Good News

Includes how ecosystem restoration can help mitigate forest fires:

Resilience. org - How an ecosystem restoration community is regenerating the water cycle to mitigate forest fires in central Portugal:

https://www.resilience.org/stories/2026-08-20/how-an-ecosystem-restoration-community-is-regenerating-the-water-cycle-to-mitigate-forest-fires-in-central-portugal

21) EV's Winning Globally

Clean Energy Canada is reporting that EV sales are soaring around the world (except North America) as drivers discover the significant cost savings with the typical driver able to save about $30,000 (or at least $3,000 per year) over 10 years of ownership.

22) Next GREN Zoom Meeting

Please make plans to join our next meeting online today, Friday August 21st at 5:30 pm.

Topic: Grand River Watershed Zoom Meeting
Time: Friday August 21, 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, August 21st at 5:30pm - GREN Update Zoom meeting -

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Saturday August 29 Province-wide Ford Protest - more details in Section E below

Friday, September 11th at 5:30pm - Next GREN Update Zoom meeting -

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Sunday, September 13th from 1pm to 7pm - ClimateFest, Gaukel Bloc, Kitchener

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

Monday, September 28th from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot All Ward Councillor Meeting/Debate - New Hamburg Community Centre

Wednesday, September 30th from 7pm to 9pm - Wilmot Mayoral Meeting/Debate - New Hamburg Community Centre

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) Recent Articles - The Hamilton Spectator - Opinion: Send Doug Ford a message when you vote in the upcoming by-election:

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/columnists/send-doug-ford-a-message-on-sept-3/article_457d2a08-8885-5da7-a58e-5267b53a0f40.html

@MARGARETSHKIMBA.BSKY.SOCIAL ON BLUESKY.
18 Aug 2026

In the more than 25 years I've had this gig, I've never seen reader engagement like the kind I've seen regarding my columns about the abject failures of the Doug Ford government.

The people are angry. If Ford, his MPPs and his deeppocketed donors paid any attention to the mood of the people they would see that. Or maybe they do see it and just scoff: suckers. After all, they've got the power and the money; all the people have are protests and a single, solitary vote they get to exercise at election time.

Monthly protests continue to bring attention to the many ways the Ford government has failed the people of Ontario. People who care are moved to stand with others in whatever weather, giving vent to their anger in the only way they can.

Column after column has been written, not just by me, but by those who see the damage he is doing to Ontario; to our province, to our communities, and to our more vulnerable and marginalized neighbours.

Because of the nature of our politics, we have basically no way to correct course our governments once they assume power.

They can, as in the case of Ford, make promise after promise to win votes and then change direction once they win, as they did with the universal basic income pilot, in which some Hamiltonians were enrolled, and by many accounts, thriving, before Ford cancelled the program he promised he wouldn't.

It took a very vocal and sustained expression of outrage to get Ford to reverse his decisions regarding the Greenbelt. We are all still waiting impatiently for the RCMP to wrap up its neverending investigation into government wrongdoing. Same with the gravy plane debacle and the MPP expenses scandal, where there is evidence of Ford saying one thing to his MPPs and another to the people of Ontario.

The list of Ford incompetencies would take this entire column, and more, to enumerate.

And now there's accusations of spying being levelled against the Progressive Conservatives where they sent someone to follow former Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie on a private vacation to Jamaica. Ford passes off such a staggeringly egregious violation of privacy as “just politics” amid claims he had no knowledge of the affair.

If that's “just politics” it's no wonder that many good people want nothing to do with elected office. Is this the kind of politics we want to encourage and reward?

But the people are not completely powerless. There are three provincial byelections coming up, one in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek. And there are Ontariowide municipal elections in October. Now is the time to send a message to the Ford government that Ontarians are done with being lied to, our social services underfunded, our hospitals bankrupted, our education system gutted and in turmoil, and our tax dollars squandered.

Nothing would ring Ford's bell more like losses across the board. Nothing would rattle his donors more than to see their influence checked by the people. And nothing would signal his MPPs that their support of Ford is a slippery slope toward irrelevance and the dustbin of history.

The Conservative MPPs who resigned triggering the byelections, Neil Lumsden and Caroline Mulroney, have seen the light and are getting out while the getting is good.

It's tough to get people out to vote in a general election; it's even tougher for a byelection. The results aren't going to overthrow the government. But losing at the polls will send a message that the Ford government is on thin ice, that people are motivated to seek alternative representation, and that opposition is growing not just among the people, but in the composition of the legislature.

Attachment to Ford, his Progressive Conservative Party and his wealthy donors should be the political kiss of death for any candidate, whether in the provincial byelections or the municipal general elections.

We don't have midterms to check our politicians, but we can still demonstrate our discontent through the ballot box whenever we can. Please vote.

E) Province-wide Ford Protests

Make a sign and join in one of the many rallies taking place across Ontario!

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:

https://protestdougford.com/

F) Contact Info: