Week of July 6, 2026

The Region of Waterloo has announced the end of the Water Crisis with a lifting of the development moratorium coming, despite not implementing even a single solution of the many called for by the community. A better path forward is still possible. The GRCA is poised to sell off a portion of the Niska Lands in Guelph that would become residential development. Meanwhile, more concerning announcements and news from the Ford government (and others) about expensive projects, pipelines and data centres. As the 2026 municipal election approaches, have you checked who is running in your municipality? More than ever, we need to ensure people who will uphold and protect the public good are entrusted with the responsibility of making decisions that impact us and the future of our local communities.

We have adjusted our bi-weekly Zoom meeting schedule to enable everyone to enjoy a more relaxed summer. Please note in your calendar: Our next online meeting will be Friday July 17th at 5:30pm.

The Region of Waterloo has announced that the Water Crisis is over, and that the seven-month development moratorium will soon be lifted, as it has increased the water capacity in the Mannheim Service Area by about another 30 litres per second. This is in addition to the 45 litres per second of additional water now being taken from Wilmot Township wells for the Mannheim Service Area.

However, there is still not a single litre of water more in Waterloo Region than there was last week (with evaporation and dry summer conditions, there is likely less water within our regional boundaries).

Even though construction can commence again, almost none of the root causes or underlying factors have been addressed. In fact, not a single solution our community organizations have been calling for over the past few months has been implemented (or addressed), despite this “solving of the Water Crisis”.

Specifically:

1) Increase Water Supply - No new sources of water have been found - no new wells, no significant new infrastructure, etc. Instead, existing wells and water sources are being pumped harder (despite the existing concerns of unsustainable levels of pumping, already lowered water tables, etc.). In addition, water that used to be pumped into the Moraine from the Grand River is now being filtered in container trailers and injected directly into the water distribution system instead.

- We need to be drilling new wells, building new water infrastructure to create a broad, integrated supply network that draws a little bit of water from everywhere in the region to increase the water supply and provide the required resilience in the years ahead.

2) Water Permits and Aggregates - There have been no changes from the province to water-taking permits or aggregates. Considerable concerns remain:

- There is the need to change water-taking permitting practices and ensure proper evaluations, monitoring, and reporting is undertaken.

- There is a huge need to change aggregate polices in order to reduce taking below the water table and pumping for aggregate washing. Recycling needs to be required.

- The province needs to acknowledge that water-constrained areas such as Waterloo and Guelph require different rules, guidelines, and practices than other parts of the province where vast quantities of water exists, such as the Great Lakes or northern lakes/rivers.

3) Wilmot Land Assembly - The Mega-Industrial Land Assembly continues to be a waste of millions of taxpayer dollars, with still not a single public meeting, no research, no justification, nor seemingly any proper planning. It isn’t included at all in Wilmot’s new 30 year Official Plan, and it appears that all available water in that area is being taken for urban use to address this Water Crisis, or for gravel washing at area aggregate pits. This scheme must be cancelled or properly relocated to where the needed infrastructure and resources exist. For 2.5 years lives and businesses have been ruined and communities outraged by the government overreach and the lack of proper government planning or process.

4) Conservation Authority Destruction - The province continues to push forward with the forced amalgamation of our Conservation Authorities despite admitting there will be no cost savings. Instead there are vague promises there will be no reduction in services, but with no proposals have been put forward to explain how things will work over such a vast landscape. We need to strenthen watershed planning - not make it worse.

5) Green Development Standards and Efficiency - Nothing has been done by the province to address much needed water conservation in an increasingly dry planet, while they are continuing to change laws to ban Green Development Standards, prevent Green Roofs, and remove the ability of our municipalities to require effective measures that will help us in the years ahead, such as High Performance Building standards, cisterns and water-efficient appliances.

6) Waterloo Moraine Protection - Aside from Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy introducing a motion for Waterloo Moraine Protection there has been no provincial initiative to expand the Greenbelt, create a Bluebelt, or protect our moraines. The province has not done anything to secure water aquifers and recharge areas or even protect farmland. Instead, we continue to lose at least 319 acres of farmland each day in Ontario. This lack of protection combined with the loss of Regional Planning Authority means our Moraine has lost the few Regional Protections it had. The provincial government also removed many protections from provincially significant wetlands this year.

7) Governance - Our local governance is in a bigger, more chaotic mess than ever:

- The loss of our democratically elected Regional Chair, to be replaced with some sort of appointed provincial representative -through a selection process no one can explain - with powers and secret mandate letters from the Premier that are not available to the public through Freedom of Information Act requests, or even court orders.

- The Region lost its Planning Authority and all power to guide and coordinate development with the seven municipalities within the Region. Instead, the muncipalities are doing whatever they want with potentially little co-ordination, little efficiency, and no idea of long-term cost implications of development decisions and required infrastructure. Yet somehow the Region still has to provision all required infrastructure with greatly reduced development funding.

- Local Official Plans are being completed inconsistently, with Kitchener just approving their 30 year plan last week, Wellesley likely next week, and Wilmot perhaps on July 27th despite the province still not having completed the provincial guidelines or criteria. Chapter headings have just been supplied by Queens Park with further templates expected as some point in the future. Some of these plans like Woolwich contain extensive Source Water protection, climate change, and future resilience polices, while others like Wilmot are alarmingly sparse and minimal. Other municipalities such as Cambridge and North Dumfries haven’t even begun their required Official Plan updates yet.

- Despite the Waterloo Moraine needing more protection than ever, our visionary Regional Countryside Line concept and Protected Countryside designation - both designed to provide this protection - no longer exist in the Kitchener or Woolwich Official Plans, and are diminished in other Official Plan drafts for municipalities within the Region. We have some of the most vulnerable water in Ontario, but sadly, it has the least protection.

Media Coverage & Mentions:

@waterportal.bsky.social https://www.watercanada.net/waterloo-restores-and-boosts-water-capacity-in-mannheim-service-area/

@minibubbly.bsky.social https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7261695

@therecord.com https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/region-finds-significant-new-water-easing-constraint/article_e413cb83-ecb7-59df-859e-6e4436969934.html

@ctvnewskitchener.bsky.social https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/waterloo-region-looks-to-fast-track-water-capacity-related-plans/

@waterloompp.bsky.social Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife shared https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/waterloo-region-departs-water-crisis/article_026bfd92-8750-5040-bf0c-5227b0136b39.html

@therecord.com The water crisis is over. Now it's time to ask: Why?

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/time-for-accountability-in-water-crisis/article_49908bba-820e-524a-9e7c-b8bd92a1c9bb.html

Lake Erie Pipeline Concerns - If anyone needs to be convinced that a pipeline to Lake Erie is a terrible plan, check out this video by Urban Atlas. It’s also a great way to spend a few minutes and learn a ton about Lake Erie:

Urban Atlas - The Dead Lake that came back to Life

https://youtu.be/6j0_y9PT2W0?si=hmX0PoGNPUr-cPr4

Well Interference Committee and Wilmot Concerns - Following up last week’s lack of any regional assistance to any of the Wilmot citizens facing well and water issues in the areas where water taking has been increased so dramatically, Citizens for Safe Groundwater and other Wilmot groups have been expressing serious concerns about the recent findings of the Region's Well Interference Committee and are calling for better solutions. The Region should not be its own judge, jury and court of appeal, and there is clearly a link between all the increased pumping and the issues being experienced.

An excellent report and media release were issued this week from the Citizens for Safe Groundwater:

Report: https://rb.gy/khi1v6

Media Release: https://rebrand.ly/j1pyohr

Needed Solutions For The Water Crisis: Let’s pull together across our communities to demand these seven common sense actions to address this water crisis:

Increase available water supply for a phased lifting of the Development Approval Moratorium

Implement a Water-Taking Permit and Aggregate Moratorium

Relocate the Wilmot Mega-Industrial Land Assembly

Resource Conservation Authorities and ensure comprehensive Watershed planning processes

Mandate Green Development Standards and Water Conservation

Implement BlueBelt/Greenbelt Protection

Move towards a new Single-Tier Governance with Planning Authority guided by a visionary Official Plan

Action Required -

The Region of Waterloo is holding an in-person meeting to receive feedback on the review process and the Well Interference Committee:

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 14th from 4pm to 7pm

Location: Regional Headquarters, 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener

Attend the public meeting on July 14th and speak up now for water security by writing to Regional Councillors and area MPPs (contact information at end of update).

The GRCA has posted notice on its website of a Special GRCA Board Meeting to be held on July 27th to consider declaring an 8 hectare agricultural parcel south of Niska Road surplus, and to be sold off for housing development. This parcel has been the focus of intense community efforts and protests to continue to see these lands (formerly part of the Kortright Waterfowl Park) are protected and not sold off for profit as Guelph faces a green space shortage in the years ahead.

Learn more at the GRCA website:

https://www.grandriver.ca/who-we-are/grca-properties/property-management/niska-landholdings/#Whyisn%E2%80%99ttheGRCAtransferringallofitsNiskaLandholdingstotheCity

@adamadonaldson.bsky.social Thread ( Bluesky ) with details of Guelph Council meeting with the public hearing on this matter - many delegations

https://bsky.app/profile/adamadonaldson.bsky.social/post/3mnv6nq7u4l2l

Action Required - Continue to speak up against this sell-off. Write to GRCA Board members and plan to attend the July 27th meeting.

In a huge loss to our communities and once again demonstrating the importance of reliable, trustworthy, local media listeners where shocked when CityNews 570NewsRadio suddenly stopped broadcasting and only static filled the air at the conclusion of the Mike Farwell show at 1:00pm on Wednesday. Seemingly not even Mike Farwell was aware of the Rogers Media decision to shutter radio stations across Canada depriving communities of important news, traffic, weather, and sports.

Just days before on Canada Day, Rogers President Tony Staffieri had boasted about communities, connections, and people that bring Canadians together. He spoke of pride and investing in Communities, the next day he announced the $4.5 billion dollar purchase of sports teams, and then on Wednesday tore a pillar of our community apart with only dead silence on our radios where important conversations, news, and Kitchener Rangers winning the National title just a few weeks ago used to be.

There are many media articles and thousands of comments on social media showing support for Mike Farwell and the team that brought so much to our communities.

@ctvnewskitchener.bsky.social

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/kitchener-radio-station-shuttered-as-part-of-rogers-closures

@cardamomaddict.bsky.social

https://bsky.app/profile/cardamomaddict.bsky.social/post/3mq3lzewkwk2k

The Record - 570 NewsRadio In Kitchener Closed By Rogers Media:

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/rogers-sportsnet-newsradio-station-closure/article_34583285-dd43-5035-bebe-3475cc44dcfa.html

CKCO CTV News - Community Mourns Loss Of Kitchener Radio Station:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/community-mourns-loss-of-kitchener-radio-station/?

@therecord.com The Record - Significant Loss For Our Region As 570 NewsRadio Goes Silent:

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-region-future-news-radio/article_04e1d5a1-c8cd-55de-88e6-02a01f65b6ba.html

@vidman.bsky.social

https://bsky.app/profile/vidman.bsky.social/post/3mq3q74twoc2c

Action Required - Hopefully enterprising entrepreneurs can find new ways to keep these important voices and reliable news sources in our communities. In the meantime don’t take any of our essential media for granted and do everything that you can to support the trustworthy, high quality information we need in our democracy.

Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles marked the 1000th day of the RCMP investigation in to Doug Ford and the provincial government with a cake. It was October 2023 when the RCMP launched its investigation into allegations surrounding the Ford government. The Greenbelt attacks have become part of Doug Ford’s legacy and he continues to go to unprecedented extremes to impair investigations and avoid transparency with recent retroactive changes to Freedom of Information laws, phone records, cabinet records, and more:

CityNews - Stiles Cuts Cake To Mark 1000 Days Of Ford’s Greenbelt Scandal Investigation:

https://kitchener.citynews.ca/video/2026/07/08/stiles-cuts-cake-to-mark-1000-days-of-fords-greenbelt-scandal-investigation/

@chchnews.bsky.social CHCH Television - Political Journalist Calls 1,000 Day RCMP Investigation Consequential:

https://www.chch.com/chch-news/political-journalist-calls-1000-day-rcmp-greenbelt-investigation-consequential/

NowToronto - Marit Stiles Marks 1,000th Day Of RCMP Greenbelt Investigation With Cake For Doug Ford:

https://nowtoronto.com/news/marit-stiles-marks-1000th-day-of-rcmp-greenbelt-investigation-with-cake-for-doug-ford/

Action Required - Keep speaking up and demanding the proper transparency, processes and actions we need from a democratic government.

Environment

Re-writing The Rules - The Narwhal this week released an excellent extensive article on how Doug Ford has "spent the past year rewriting the rules of governing Ontario’s environment.”:

@thenarwhal.ca The Narwhal - Bill 5 Is In, The Climate Plan Is Out; The Environmental Stakes Of Doug Ford’s Third Term:

https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-election-ford-explainer/

Interim Ontario Science Centre - The Ford government has opened an interim Ontario Science Centre in couple of rooms at Harbourfront on Toronto’s waterfront. Initial reviews are disappointing with only a very small set of exhibits temporarily set up, yet a steep $15 admission fee:

The Trillium - Interim Science Centre Opens On Toronto Waterfront As Ontario Place Location Is Built:

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/interim-science-centre-opens-on-toronto-waterfront-as-ontario-place-location-is-built-12486779?

And here’s a video of the recently opened Ontario Science Centre Exhibit:

Action Required - Keep demanding better for Ontario Place, the Science Centre, and other public treasures lost under Doug Ford.

A quick poll: Are you (or will you be) making plans to visit the interim location of Ontario Science Centre at Harbourfront?

Pipeline News for Ontario

CBC News - Ford, Smith unveil plan for new ‘Northern Shield’ oil pipeline between Alberta and Ontario

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bakx-northern-shield-ontario-alberta-oil-9.7259820

The Manitoba government has refused to join the project

@frametoframenature.bsky.social

https://bsky.app/profile/frametoframenature.bsky.social/post/3mq2qhwbirc2k

@therecord.com Premier Doug Ford is proposing a 3,300-kilometre pipeline to ship Alberta oil to refineries in Sarnia, Ont.

https://bsky.app/profile/therecord.com/post/3mpyjd5u5if2v

CP24 - Premiers of Ontario, Alberta unveil route for proposed new pipeline

https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/07/06/premiers-of-ontario-alberta-unveil-route-for-proposed-new-pipeline/

CityNews - Ontario and Alberta pitch ‘nation-building’ pipeline to move Canadian oil coast to coast

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/07/06/ontario-alberta-doug-ford-danielle-smith-pipeline-sarnia/

CityNews CP24 - Alberta Treated Like Garbage By Former Federal Government Says Premier Ford:

https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/07/06/premier-ford-says-former-federal-govt-treated-alberta-like-garbage/

The Toronto Star - Why We Should Laugh Off Doug Ford’s Costly Pipeline Scheme:

https://www.thestar.com/business/opinion/why-we-should-laugh-off-doug-ford-and-danielle-smiths-costly-pipeline-scheme/article_f2687e64-2361-48c3-b379-d4e1c362e15c.html

APTN - Aamjiwnaang First Nation calls on the Crown to ‘immediately initiate engagement’ on proposed west to east pipeline:

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/aamjiwnaang-first-nation-calls-on-the-crown-to-immediately-initiate-engagement-on-proposed-west-to-east-pipeline/

“Our community is already living in a state of environmental emergency, adding new pipeline risks without addressing existing harms is unacceptable.”

The Hamilton Spectator - Doug Ford’s Pipeline Dream Faces Immediate Headwinds:

https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/doug-fords-pipeline-dream-faces-immediate-headwinds/article_e09f9ab9-ca96-57e8-aeda-7a574f24e601.html

“There is no private sector proponent for these pipelines because there is no business case in a world where electric vehicles and heat pumps powered by wind and solar energy are cheaper, cleaner and faster to deploy than the fossil fuel mega-projects that are fuelling heat waves and wildfires.”

Education and More

Global News - Ontario School Boards Record More Deficits A Year After Supervisors Sent In:

https://globalnews.ca/news/11955405/ontario-supervisor-deficits/

CBC News - Why Ford Government’s New Spin On A Giant Ferris Wheel In Niagara Falls Has Become A Saga:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/niagara-parks-observation-wheel-doug-ford-controversy-9.7261621

Over 1,200 people showed up at a meeting this week to voice opposition to the plan!

TVO - Analysis: Doug Ford should focus on his existing plans:

https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-doug-ford-should-focus-on-his-existing-plans-instead-of-a-new-pipeline

The Star - Time For Doug Ford To Resign? Past Premiers Show It May Be Soon:

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/every-politicians-end-is-different-doug-ford-needs-to-heed-lessons-from-previous-leaders/article_eedbbf29-6127-4076-9c3b-e3cdf96cd3fe.html

New local municipal Official Plans are being finalized for approval. These plans will determine irrevocably so much in our communities for the decades ahead - where and how we grow, what we protect, what we destroy, how we will live, how we will travel, and so much more.

Wilmot Official Plan - There are many concerns about Wilmot’s Official Plan and its lack of details and information compared to other Official Plans. Council agreed with the community call for more engagement, more revisions, and more time - delaying final approval of the plan until July, and ensuring that additional citizen and community feedback can be received in June. Wilmot Staff have released their final version (Draft #3) with extensive new headings and more re-organization, but almost none of the hundreds of suggestions made by community groups. We all need to speak up to demand the better future plan that we need. Discussions are underway between community groups, citizens, and elected officials on how best to address serious shortfalls. Check out this latest minimal plan at the EngageWilmot website:

https://www.engagewr.ca/new-wilmot-official-plan

Woolwich Official Plan - The Woolwich Official Plan is well written and easy to read. It is an excellent document that should serve as a model to others and will prepare this municipality well for the future. Learn more at the EngageWoolwich website at:

https://www.engagewr.ca/official-plan-review

Check out the full document at: https://hdp-ca-prod-app-wr-engage-files.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/2117/7323/2561/Woolwich_OP_V10_Final_with_Maps_-_Feb_2026.pdf

Wellesley Official Plan - The Township of Wellesley has announced the meeting to approve their new Official Plan. Details are as follows:

Date/Time: Monday, July 20th at 5:45pm

Location: Wellesley Council Chambers, 4805 William Hastings Line, Crosshill

Learn more at the EngageWellesley site:

https://www.engagewr.ca/official-plan

Kitchener Official Plan - The Kitchener Official Plan was approved this past week with some unfortunate last minute changes to decrease needed density in some favoured parts of the city.

Media coverage:

The Record - New Kitchener Plan Prepares For 25 Years Of Growth, Up To 450,000 Residents:

https://www.therecord.com/news/council/new-kitchener-2051-plan-prepares-for-up-to-450000-residents/article_94f1578c-8669-526c-94dc-710ca29b85eb.html

Action Required - Speak up for the future you want to see at Open Houses, by e-mail, and by calling/writing Staff as well as elected officials. Ensure that our Official Plans are the fulsome, detailed plans needed for the decades ahead and not minimalist plans written only to please Doug Ford and land speculator lobbyists. Please also watch for other Official Plans coming forward across the Grand River watershed.

In addition to the water crisis, food insecurity is at an all-time high in Waterloo Region and across Canada. It is more important than ever to ensure we are self-sufficient in food and our farmland is properly protected. The still unknown Wilmot Mega-Industrial Land Assembly that has lost its primary water supply needs to be cancelled. This land is some of the best farmland in Ontario, recording some of the highest yields in Canada, and it needs to be properly protected as part of the effort to address food security. This week provincial Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner @mikeschreiner.bsky.social visited Wilmot landowners and met with community groups about the latest concerns on the Land Assembly and to discuss the Foodbelt concept as well as the Waterloo Moraine Protection Act to help ensure area farms continue to thrive.

Media coverage:

Data Centre Concerns

@edmontonjournal.com Edmonton Journal - Proposed northern Alberta data centre raises concerns over power demand and water use

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/proposed-northern-alberta-ai-data-centre-raises-concerns-over-power-demand-and-water-use

The 650-megawatt natural gas power plant is proposed for northeast of Peace River and is highlighting broader environmental concerns

@ Futurism - Meta’s AI data center caught infecting town water supply with deadly bacteria

https://futurism.com/health-medicine/meta-ai-data-center-pathogen-bacteria-water

@jm-mcgrath.bsky.social John Michael McGrath (TVO Today) Analysis - Data Centre Politics Have Come To Ontario. Is Doug Ford Ready?:

https://www.tvo.org/article/analysis-data-centre-politics-have-come-to-ontario-is-doug-ford-ready

CBC - Hamilton Data Centre Moratorium Could Be A Canadian First:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/data-centre-moratorium-9.7260243

Farming Matters - The Narwhal had a good article on why there are so many black farm workers but so few black farm owners in Canada.

@thenarwhal.ca The Narwhal - Why Are There So Few Black Farm Owners In Canada?

https://thenarwhal.ca/canada-black-farmers-farmland-prices/

Action Required: We need to ensure that the new Wilmot Official Plan continues to omit any mention of this mega-industrial site and emphasizes Wilmot residents' desire to remain a small, rural, agriculturally focussed community (please see the section on Official Plans above for more information).

More Pipeline News and Analysis

Peter Nicholson (Substack) - A pipeline isn’t a field of dreams

https://open.substack.com/pub/sagecanada/p/a-pipeline-isnt-a-field-of-dreams

‘The central question is not whether Canada would like another west coast pipeline. It’s whether the oil industry itself sees a commercial opportunity large enough to justify building, and filling, one.’

@theenergymix.com Energy Mix - ‘90% Public Ownership’ as Carney, Smith announce new pipeline into declining global oil market

https://www.theenergymix.com/90-public-ownership-as-carney-smith-announce-new-pipeline-into-declining-global-oil-market/

Sage - Before Canada Builds Another Pipeline Someone Has To Show Where The Oil Will Come From:

https://sagecanada.substack.com/p/a-pipeline-isnt-a-field-of-dreams

‘The central question is not whether Canada would like another west coast pipeline. It’s whether the oil industry itself sees a commercial opportunity large enough to justify building, and filling, one.

The Narwhal - Pipeline-A-Palooza: Unpacking The Week In Canadian Energy Politics:

https://thenarwhal.ca/three-pipeline-announcements-2026/

Politicians dropped three pipeline announcements this week. If they’re such an economic boon, why are taxpayers footing the bill?

Track Current Temperatures - And putting things into context:

Reuters Climate Monitor - How Today’s Temperatures Compare To The Historic Average:

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CLIMATE-AUTOMATED/MONITOR/akpeykqqapr/

Wildfires - Just because it rained yesterday in Ontario doesn't mean that wildfires aren’t a serious issue here and everywhere. Check out the staggering number of fires in Ontario already burning right now:

Ontario Forest Fire Map:

https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/ForestFireInformationMap/index.html?viewer=FFIM.FFIM

CBC News - Thousands evacuated from homes in southwest France as wildfire burns

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/france-wildfire-evacuation-9.7259522

Early summer heat waves in ⁠France and across ⁠western Europe in May and ‌June have scorched vast areas of land, making them particularly vulnerable to wildfires this year.

DW - Firefighters battle wildfires across southern Europe

https://www.dw.com/en/europe-forest-fires-heat-wave-tour-de-france/a-77851007

on the heels of massive heat waves in much of the region.

Global News - Out-of-control wildfire forces evacuation in BC’s Fraser Canyon

https://globalnews.ca/news/11953588/wildfire-evacuation-fraser-valley-bc/

CBC News - Brunswick Creek wildfire balloons to 1,200 hectares, forcing evacuations near Boston Bar, BC

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/aggressive-wildfire-burning-near-boston-bar-9.7259251

CBC News - Experts warn Albertans should prepare for more smoky skies this summer

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/smoke-forecast-alberta-summer-2026-9.7256141

CBC News - As fires burn across Labrador, the focus is on putting out the ones near communities, says N.L. minister

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/focus-is-on-fires-near-labrador-communities-as-more-than-two-dozens-9.7259529

Wildfire-related Resources:

Track lightning strikes - Blitzortung.org

https://map.blitzortung.org/#3.6/49.92/-94.53

Lightning & Thunderstorms - New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts

Blitzortung.org provides lightning and thunderstorm information in real-time on maps for USA, United Kingdom, Australia, new Zealand, Europa, Africa, Asia and other Countries.

Track and forecast wildfire smoke - Firesmoke.ca

https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

Smoke Forecast - FireSmoke.ca

Ground level concentration of particulate matter 2.5 microns and smaller (PM2.5) in units of micrograms per meter cubed (µg/m3).

Build your own highly effective air cleaner (Corsi Rosenthal) - inexpensive too! - Corsi Rosenthal Foundation

https://corsirosenthalfoundation.org/instructions/

How to build your own Corsi-Rosenthal Box - Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation

Dedicated to providing cleaner safer air for all.

There a great new website and one-click letter tool to speak up with concerns:

Reality Check TO - organizing with prominent Torontonians to speak out:

https://torealitycheck.ca/

Here’s an excellent letter to PM Mark Carney from former MP and Toronto Mayor David Crombie:

https://yqna.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/David-Crombie-Letter-to-Prime-Minister-Carney_2026April.pdf

Additional Information - No Jets TO is collaborating with Environmental Defence - This website provides links to research, a calendar of events, ways to speak up and take action:

https://environmentaldefence.ca/nojetsto/

No JETS Toronto - Rally & March to Harbour Square Park - Join a rally and March to express concerns about this confounding airport expansion proposal:

Date/Time: Sunday, July 26th 10:30am to 12:30pm

Location: Harbour Square Park

Learn More:

https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/194959/event/1

Recent Media:

The Toronto Star - Ken Greenberg - This Is The Real Problem With The Uncertainty Over Billy Bishop Airport. Mark Carney’s Government May Be About To Make It Worse:

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/this-is-the-real-problem-with-the-uncertainty-over-billy-bishop-airport-mark-carneys-government-may-be-about-to-make-it-worse/article_83317999-deb6-42a8-8485-b3c969958249.html

- An incredible article explaining the high cost of the airport fiasco already, and the considerable damage being done to planning, investment, and certainty.

The Toronto Star - Why An Invisible Danger From A Billy Bishop Airport Expansion Has This Family Ready To Move From Their Toronto Waterfront Home:

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/why-an-invisible-danger-from-a-billy-bishop-airport-expansion-has-this-family-ready-to-move-from-their-toronto-waterfront-home/article_bed8c394-3439-49bd-b31b-2cb8c559d274.html

The Hamilton Spectator - The Billy Bishop Fiasco Shows Why Mark Carney Shouldn’t Privatize Canada’s Airports:

https://www.thespec.com/news/ontario/the-billy-bishop-fiasco-shows-why-mark-carney-shouldnt-privatize-canadas-airports/article_65cd8c11-0537-502e-bcdc-6e2d482e42d6.html

“The reason we’re in the midst of a battle over the Billy Bishop expansion isn’t because there is a need for it, but because Neiuport Aviation shareholders want it.”

Action Required - Don’t let the provincial government waste billions of your tax dollars destroying the Toronto waterfront. Speak up and demand better.

Nominations are open for candidates to seek public office. We need to ensure strong local governance and do everything possible to encourage people to run to serve their communities.

Candidate Nominations - Learn who are the candidates nominated for your municipal (& regional) council so far:

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: https://www.woolwich.ca/learn-about/election/list-of-candidates-financial-statements/

Wilmot: https://www.wilmot.ca/township-office/elections/

Wellesley: https://www.wellesley.ca/council-and-administration/election/

County of Brant:

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, visit the official municipal website and search “candidate list 2026”.

The Alliance For A Liveable Ontario (ALO) continues to release new episodes in a series of podcasts and short videos on a variety of important subjects including housing and affordability. These podcasts are meant to help ensure municipal candidates are well informed with the facts on these issues.

ALO - Municipal Election Toolkit - 10 Actions Municipal Governments Can Take To Help Build Liveable Communities:

https://www.liveableontario.ca/alliance-resources/roadmap

The Alliance for a Liveable Ontario

The Alliance for a Liveable Ontario is a project of the Small Change Fund. You can learn more at smallchangefund.ca

Follow/subscribe Alliance for Liveable Ontario on social media and share the content:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@liveableontario?si=WuYTkgH95UBI-2dA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DHT1mpCTf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allianceforaliveableontario?igsh=MXU5eHVnZ3A4ZDA1MQ==

ALO Podcast episodes:

April 26: Intro to Roadmap

April 26: Mitchell Cohen on building homes people can afford

May 3: Sarah Hasenack on Protecting Natural Areas

May 10: Ken Greenberg on Finding Hope

May 17: Phil Pothen on the Roadmap

May 24: Mary Rowe on Infrastructure

May 31: Kevin Eby on Good Planning

June 7: Margaret Prophet on the Greenbelt

June 14: Martin Straathof on Protecting Farming

June 21: Celia Chandler on non-market housing

June 28: Edward McDonnell on the Greenbelt

Action Required - Share the Municipal Election Toolkit. Watch/listen and learn from the podcast and speak up for the better Ontario we need.

Included this week: climate cooking the planet, expanded GO Train service to Stratford, Port Dover sprawl battles, heat pumps, roundabout thoughts?, tracking our urban tree canopy, and the staggering number of children not receiving autism funding,

The Hamilton Spectator - Gwynne Dyer - It’s Not The Weather, It’s The Climate That’s Cooking The Planet:

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/columnists/its-not-the-weather-its-the-climate/article_3feef4d2-a4a1-5d63-ae85-99613e635d5c.html

CityNews - Expanded GO Train Service To Stratford Starts This Week:

https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2026/07/06/expanded-stratford-go-service-to-begin-this-week/?

@ctvnewskitchener.bsky.social CTV News Kitchener - GO train services begins in Stratford

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/go-train-service-begins-in-stratford/

One daily round trip seven days per week.

@thestar.com The Toronto Star - The Battle Of Port Dover Pits Leery Residents Against A Plan For 10,000 New Homes:

https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/battle-of-port-dover-pits-leery-residents-against-a-plan-for-10000-new-homes/article_69fa6192-8508-4412-a283-545989dff178.html?

The Record - Susan Koswan - Combatting The Rising Heat Can Be Done In A Variety Of Ways:

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/ways-to-beat-the-heat-susan-koswan/article_f252225f-7a80-5bcb-80d7-ccc1cea202b8.html

CBC News - Got Thoughts On Roundabouts? The Region Wants To Hear Them:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/region-waterloo-roundabouts-survey-safety-measures-9.7257753

CBC News - Guelph Creating 3D Digital Map of Street Trees To Help Grow Urban Canopy:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/guelph-cambridge-creating-3d-map-street-trees-9.7257505

The Trillium - It’s Cruel: Less Than A Quarter Of Waitlisted Children And Youth Receiving Autism Funding:

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/social-services-and-society/its-cruel-less-than-a-quarter-of-waitlisted-children-and-youth-receiving-autism-funding-12520470

This week includes new data centre targets, and tracking nocturnal birds:

The New York Times - Big Tech Is Now Targeting Native American Land For Massive Data Centres:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/us/data-centers-native-american-tribes.html

@uofgcbs.bsky.social University of Guelph, College of Biological Science: CBC - Canada Wide Nocturnal Bird Sound Migration Tracker Takes Flight:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/canada-wide-nocturnal-bird-sound-migration-tracking-network-takes-flight-9.7262739

It was fantastic to see Kitchener Centre MPP Aislinn Clancy introduce a motion to protect the Waterloo Moraine before the Legislature recessed. Party leader Mike Schreiner was in Wilmot this week to talk about how the motion calls on the provincial government to permanently protect the Waterloo Moraine with Greenbelt-like protection as the Region of Waterloo already grapples with a water crisis and depleted aquifers on the Waterloo Moraine.

In case you missed it, here’s an excellent detailed Waterloo Record/Woolwich Observer article:

The Record - Green Party Wants Protections For Groundwater In Waterloo Region:

https://www.therecord.com/news/canada/green-party-wants-protections-for-groundwater-in-waterloo-region/article_76a701da-034c-53bf-8369-9aee75e2b0e3.html

Sign the one-click letter to protect the Waterloo Moraine:

One-Click Letter - Protect The Waterloo Moraine: Our Water Is Not For Sale:

https://gpo.ca/action_campaign/protect-waterloo-moraine/

Protect the Waterloo Moraine: Our Water Is Not for Sale

The Waterloo Region’s drinking water comes from the Waterloo Moraine, a critical underground aquifer system that sustains more than 600,000 residents today and must support one million by 2050.

Action Required - Write and call MPPs over the summer to encourage them to support this Waterloo Moraine Protection Act.

There will be hearings taking place across Ontario this summer regarding Doug Ford’s new agriculture act that tries to protect Ontario farms but falls far short of what is needed when 319 acres per day of farmland is being lost. Register to delegate to the Standing Committee On The Interior this Summer in locations including Shelburne, Listowel, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, and more:

https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/committees/committee-meetings-monthly-schedule

Sharon Sommerville and other frequently contributors to GREN meetings have already registered to speak about issues such as farmland loss, Highway 413, and other current issues.

Action Required - Take advantage of this opportunity! Register and speak up when MPPs come to your community.

Recognition also goes to Andrew McCammon and the Ontario Headwaters Institute for their excellent leadership on watershed security and community engagement across Ontario.

Learn more at:

https://ontarioheadwaters.ca/guardian-awards-update/

Watershed Guardian Awards

The OHI launched the Watershed Guardian Awards in 2025 to acknowledge and celebrate people and organizations making extraordinary efforts to protect watershed security in Ontario.

Watershed Guardian Lifetime Achievement Award, 2026: John Jackson

Over more than 40 years, John has both demonstrated an incredible grasp of a key issues and exercised leadership over a wide range of organizations. Issues that have benefitted from John’s dedication extend from hazardous waste, toxics, chemicals of mutual concern, and radionuclides to social justice, local watershed health and the health of the Great Lakes.

Watershed Guardian of the Year, 2026: Kevin Thomason

Over more than 30 years, Kevin has demonstrated exemplary environmental leadership both locally and across Ontario. Provincially, this includes serving on, and chairing the board of Ontario Nature and providing guidance to organizations such as the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance. Locally, Kevin serves as Vice-Chair of the Grand River Environmental Network (GREN) as well as GreenWR, Waterloo Climate Collaborative and ReForest Woolwich helping to protect local waters, natural areas, and farmland.

Stay up to date at:

Facebook - Fight Ford Protests:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/999677935818616

Instagram - Fight Ford Ontario Protests:

https://www.instagram.com/ontarioprotest?igsh=eHgwNnl2azRsYXB5

Website - https://protestdougford.com/

Action Required - Make signs and join one or more of the rallies. This is an opportunity to meet people who share concerns about the Ford government and bring more attention to the many recent very concerning provincial actions.

Water Webinar - Water Watchers have held a good webinar called Keeping Water Public where experts Maude Barlow and Rebecca Kolarich explained the recent legislative changes and how they could affect the cost, quality, and accountability of local water sources along with what you can do to ensure water remains public. Watch for the recording soon.

Contact provincial representatives to share your concerns about water privatization. Water Watchers have created a great letter writing tool to send your comments.

https://win.newmode.net/endwaterprofiteeringON

ERO Consutlation - Speak up about the provincial proposal for a water and wastewater public corporation model by submitting comments on the Environmental Registry of Ontario

by 11:59 pm on August 13, 2026:

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0419

Action Required - Learn more and speak up to say that water is not a commodity to be sold for profit - it is a human right and needs to remain under public management.

The Ontario government's most recent competitive electricity procurement demonstrated that wind and solar power can deliver new electricity supply at less than one-third the cost of new nuclear generation. At a time when families and businesses are already struggling with rising costs, Ontario should be investing in the most affordable sources of new electricity, not the most expensive. Instead of signing more secret, backroom, sole-source deals with OPG and Bruce Power for new nuclear projects that could cost Ontarians up to $400 billion , Ontario can lower electricity costs and strengthen energy security by rapidly expanding renewable energy.

Renewable energy projects can be built faster, cost less, and reduce our dependence on imported energy while creating jobs across the province.

Read the excellent report from the Clean Air Alliance:

It’s Time To Triple Ontario’s Renewable Energy:

https://euzvzapheqq.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Time-to-Triple-Renewables-Report-jun-23-v_02.pdf

Send a message to federal and provincial leaders with one-click:

https://www.cleanairalliance.org/triple2050/

Action Required - Speak up for better, cleaner, and cheaper energy options.

Tuesday, July 14th from 4pm to 7pm - Regional Well Interference Public Meeting - Regional Headquarters, 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener

Friday, July 17th at 5:30pm - GREN Update Zoom meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Saturday, July 25th - Various Times - FightFord Rallies & Protests Across Ontario - Get out and speak up!

Monday, July 27th - 9:00am - Special GRCA Board Meeting For Niska Lands Disposal -

https://www.grandriver.ca/who-we-are/grca-properties/property-management/niska-landholdings/#Whyisn%E2%80%99ttheGRCAtransferringallofitsNiskaLandholdingstotheCity

Monday, July 27th - 6:00pm - Wilmot Township Official Plan Meeting - Wilmot Council Chambers 60 Snyder’s Road, Baden

July 30th to August 9th - Rachel Carson - An Original Registry Theatre Production, Kitchener

Learn more & purchase tickets: https://registrytheatre.com/event/rachel-carson-2/

Reminder - Next Meeting: Our next online meeting will be next Friday, July 17th at 5:30pm at the Zoom link below:

Topic: Grand River Watershed Zoom Meeting

Time: Some Friday’s 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, Mike Marcolongo, and Joan Faux on behalf of all our community groups.

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 a single simple 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, 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

Or cal 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.or g 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