Week of July 13, 2026 - Wildfires, GRCA Niska Land Sell-Off, Waterloo/Woolwich Urban Boundary Breech, Water Crisis Continues, Wilmot OP Concerns

Good Day,

Ominous, hazy, orange skies and air quality warnings are a big part of what's been happening this week as the smoke from the massive wildfires in northwestern Ontario (noted in last week's update) reached large swaths of southern Ontario and beyond. Does the pollution, record heat, and burning provinces raise concerns as our governments push pipelines and fossil fuels at any cost?

We are also concerned about the GRCA's plan to sell off a parcel of the Niska Lands in Guelph, the loss of 570 NewsRadio, and the Region of Waterloo's Water Crisis (despite the Region declaring it has been solved). A new proposal for the Brantford Airport Land Grab was announced, and in the County of Brant a completely new system is being considered that will replace the current zoning by-laws and the planning application process. Meanwhile the provincial government is under fire for tens of thousands of dollars for questionable downtown hotel stays.

We are trying a new platform to create and share the Grand River Watershed Regional updates from GREN . You may notice this update has a new look. Please share any questions or feedback as we migrate to Leaflet (https://leaflet.pub/ ).

We look forward to discussing all this and more at our meeting this week. Please join us online today at 5:30pm.

Topic: Grand River Watershed Zoom Meeting

Time: Friday July 17, 2026 at 5:30pm EST

Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82644695701?pwd=bnRsUGtWSUcrRnFWR21uYVBISG9jZz09

Meeting ID: 826 4469 5701

Passcode: 713374

Let's get into it.

1) Wildfires Destroy Air Quality, Outdoor Activities And The Summer We’ve Waited All Year For

Doug Ford’s huge cuts and underfunding of Ontario Forest Fire Fighting services are being reflected in hundreds of fires burning out of control across Ontario while Ministry Water Bombers sit idle on the ground due to a lack of pilots. The Premier’s budget cuts to essential services such as fire fighting to fund instead absurd things like a Highway 401 tunnel and Ontario Place Spa along with a complete lack of climate change action along with the relentless promotion of fossil fuels has resulted in Ontario’s economy being hobbled by the cancellation of thousands of activities and events as people can’t even go outside. Worse yet, the cost in lives and increased hospital visits is straining our already overburdened healthcare system.

Air quality warnings have been issued by municipalities throughout the Grand River Watershed and we still have the driest months of the year to get through yet:

Waterloo Region Record @therecord.com - Skies Turn Yellow In Waterloo Region, Guelph Due To Wildfire Smoke:

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/poor-air-quality-in-waterloo-region-due-to-wildfire-smoke/article_d78ff9f6-2160-5f22-83b3-353befddc676.html

Waterloo Region Record @therecord.com - Air quality is poor in Waterloo Region, Guelph and surrounding areas due to smoke from forest fires in northwestern Ontario:

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/poor-air-quality-in-waterloo-region-due-to-wildfire-smoke/article_d78ff9f6-2160-5f22-83b3-353befddc676.html

Waterloo Region Record @therecord.com - Record-breaking heat puts local power grid at risk for failure:

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/record-breaking-heat-puts-local-power-grid-risk-for-failures/article_5eafff8f-61d8-5334-9b47-ccb4568cb349.htm

Related Articles and Posts:

Let's not forget the 2026 Ontario Budget cut the wildfire firefighting budget:

National Observer - Ontario Budgets Just $150 M For Wildfires Despite Burning Through Almost Double Last Year:

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/06/02/news/ontario-wildfires-emergency-forest-firefighting-fund

This local news is bleak, but the news from northwestern Ontario is much worse as the wildfires spread - entire communities are being evacuated and burned to the ground.

Instant Weather @instantweather.bsky.social Widespread Evacuations as Northwestern Ontario Wildfires Strain Underfunded Provincial Resources - analysis of the wildfires and the concerns with management:

https://instantweatherinc.com/article/ontario/2026/7/15/wildfire

SNNewswatch.com - VIDEO: 'We're encased in flames now.' CN rail crew safely escapes wildfire - Incredible view of inside a train engine engulfed in the flames of a wildfire:

https://www.snnewswatch.com/local-news/video-were-encased-in-flames-now-cn-crew-safely-escape-wildfire-12551142

Brandi Morin (Substack) - When the Wildfires Rage, Who Gets to Breathe First?:

https://open.substack.com/pub/indigenousinsider/p/when-the-wildfires-rage-who-gets

Katie Mack @astrokatie.com (Bluesky) - Not Canadian Wildfires But Climate Change Wildfires:

https://bsky.app/profile/astrokatie.com/post/3mqtx6lj46k2k

View post on Bluesky

Wildfire and Smoke Management Tools

Here's a collection of mapping and monitoring tools to help keep track this situation with air quality, smoke and more:

Government of Canada - Air Quality map - Wildfire Smoke Fine Particulate Matter PM2.5 - provides a 72h forecast:

https://weather.gc.ca/firework/firework_anim_e.html?type=pa&utc=12

Ontario - Air Quality Ontario:

https://www.airqualityontario.com/aqhi/

IQ Air - Air Quality map:

https://www.iqair.com/ca/air-quality-map

Track and forecast wildfire smoke globally - Firesmoke.ca:

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

CBC News - Climate Dashboard: Is today's weather normal? Search for your town or city to compare it to previous years:

https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2023/climate-dashboard/

Action Required - Demand better climate action so that this doesn’t become the new normal.

2) GRCA Special Board Meeting Looks To Dispose of Guelph Lands

The GRCA has posted notice on its website of a Special GRCA Board Meeting to be held on Monday, July 27th to consider declaring an 8 hectare agricultural parcel south of Niska Road surplus and sold off for housing development. This has been the focus of intense community efforts and protests to continue to see these lands that are part of the Kortright Waterfowl Park protected and not sold off for profit as our communities face 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

New! - There is a new information website with a one-click letter that you can send to the GRCA Board asking them not to sell off these lands for development and to keep these lands protected for generations to come.meeting.

Tell the GRCA Board To Protect Our Watershed’s Conservation Lands:

https://win.newmode.net/protectthekortrightwaterfowllands

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

3) Devastating 570 News Closure

In a huge loss to our communities and once again demonstrating the importance of reliable, trustworthy, local media listeners were shocked when CityNews 570NewsRadio suddenly stopped broadcasting with no warning. The strong media coverage continues:

Citified - (Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social, Substack) - It's not just a radio station we lost:

https://open.substack.com/pub/citified/p/its-not-just-a-radio-station-we-lost

Waterloo Region Record - Luisa D’Amato - Radio Is A Powerful Source Of Information. That’s Why The Fall Of 570 News Hits So Hard:

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/fall-of-570-news-hits-hard/article_6dfb0b4a-1249-5344-8968-96c63efdc289.html?

Waterloo Region Record - Luisa D’Amato - A Petition In Parliament Is Your Chance To Protest Against Radio Station Shutdowns:

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/columnists/chance-to-protest-radio-shutdowns/article_da40ff58-dd99-5fec-b9af-6e8ef635fc52.html

The federal parliamentary petition you can sign to speak up for the importance of reliable local news:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-7574

A Dozen Ways To Support Local News - The Waterloo based grassroots media advocacy group Ink-Stained Wretches has been working for half a decade to build support for quality journalism. Learn more and check out their resources page listing more than a dozen ways that individuals can support local news organizations - many for free:

https://ink-stainedwretches.org/resources/

Action Required - Hopefully enterprising local 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.

4) Wilmot Mega-Industrial Land Assembly And National Farmland Loss

In addition to the water crisis, food insecurity is at all-time high in Waterloo Region and across Canada - thus, 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 as concerns continue to grow.

Local media included a good article about last week’s visit by Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner with Wilmot landowners and community groups to talk about the latest concerns on the Land Assembly and the Foodbelt concept, as well as the Waterloo Moraine Protection Act to help ensure area farms continue to thrive:

The Woolwich Observer - Green Party Leader Decries Wilmot Land Grab, Calls For Protection Of Farmland:

https://www.observerxtra.com/green-party-leader-decries-wilmot-land-grab-calls-for-protection-of-farmland/

Learn where local Wilmot Mayoral candidates stand on their endorsement or opposition to this massive land grab:

Waterloo Region Record - Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen Seeks Second Term For Defining Period:

https://www.therecord.com/news/municipal-elections/wilmot-mayor-salonen-seeks-second-term-for-defining-period/article_ced2180c-5115-53c9-a1cf-2e9198ad2028.html

Waterloo Region Record - Mayor Candidate Councillor Kris Wilkinson Wants Stronger Wilmot:

https://www.therecord.com/news/municipal-elections/mayor-candidate-coun-kris-wilkinson-wants-stronger-wilmot/article_f82afbdf-8a1a-53eb-a779-0cf0fefe2dba.html

Waterloo Region Record - Stephanie Goertz Wants To Be The Voice For Wilmot Residents As Townships Next Mayor:

https://www.therecord.com/news/municipal-elections/stephanie-goertz-running-for-mayor-in-wilmot/article_2670c422-0818-53b5-a6ce-d350a5ab1ee4.html

National Attention On Farmland Loss - The CBC ran a good article this week on the massive loss of farms across Canada:

CBC - Canada Has Lost Millions Of Hectares Of Farmland. Where Is It All Going?:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-farmland-carney-food-security-strategy-young-farmers-9.7266016

We also need to ensure that the new Wilmot Official Plan continues to omit any mention of this mega-industrial site and emphasizes Wilmot resident’s desire to remain a small, rural, agriculturally focussed community (please see the section on Official Plans below for more information).

Action Required - Keep speaking out and ensure that Wilmot gets the protections and future plan it needs.

5) Waterloo Moraine Protection Act

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/

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

6) Very Concerning Martin Grove Gateway Industrial Development

Developers have submitted an alarming industrial proposal pushing over the Countryside Line beyond Waterloo City Limits into southern Woolwich Township farmland. Members of nearby Martin Grove community have reached out seeking assistance.

What’s significant here isn’t just that this is a 100 more acres of industrial sprawl onto rural lands, but that it breaches the Countryside Line and a firm city boundary that has held for decades. The implications are far-reaching. This large industrial development isn’t part of the current Woolwich 30 year Official Plan nor is it part of the next Woolwich 30 year Official Plan. It isn’t part of any City of Waterloo Official Plan either. There is no demonstrated need for all this industrial land and there are thousands of acres of shovel-ready vacant industrial lands already designated across Waterloo Region - much of it has sat empty for decades.

This could be the start of the destruction of Woolwich Township as we know it. There could soon be the loss of thousands of acres of farmland as this is the first opening of the floodgates. We are in a watershed moment where either the rural, agricultural countryside will be protected as it has been for decades in this area, or it will the first onslaught of urban development that currently isn’t part of any long-term city planning other than to benefit land speculators.

We need to find a way to return the Countryside Line to the new Woolwich Official Plan. It has been the one shortcoming in an otherwise fantastic Official Plan draft.

We also need to ensure that everyone in the community understands that a firm urban boundary that has stood for over 50 years is about to be breached and imperil farming and agriculture for a huge part of Woolwich Township. What happens to the future of the St. Jacobs Farmers market if it is no longer surrounded by farms but instead is in the middle of a huge industrial area?

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 the City of Waterloo industrial areas sprawling into Woolwich Township.

7) Brantford Airport Land Grab - New Boundary Adjustment Announced

Brantford and the County of Brant announced this week the amount of farmland involved in the annexation/boundary adjustment has been reduced by hundreds of acres due to feedback from the public. Kudos to everyone who has spoken up! County of Brant Council will be holding a Statutory Public Hearing prior to considering the Boundary Adjustment Agreement at a special meeting. Written submissions to be considered at this meeting should be forwarded to the County of Brant Clerk clerks@brant.ca no later than noon on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special meeting details:

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Location: County of Brant Council Chambers, 7 Broadway Street West, Paris

County of Brant release: City of Brantford and County of Brant Announce Updated Proposed Airport Boundary Adjustment Map in Response to Public Feedback:

https://www.brant.ca/news/posts/city-of-brantford-and-county-of-brant-announce-updated-proposed-airport-boundary-adjustment-map-in-response-to-public-feedback/

Map of revised proposal for Boundary Adjustment:

https://www.brantford.ca/media/stjlzdyr/updated-airport-transfer-lands_july-13_2026.pdf

Details regarding the Proposed Boundary Adjustment are also available on the City of Brantford’s website:

https://letstalkbrantford.ca/airport

CTV News - New plan released for potential Brantford airport boundary adjustment

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/new-plan-released-for-potential-brantford-airport-boundary-adjustment/

Brant Beacon - New proposed Airport boundary adjustment announced

https://www.brantbeacon.ca/new-proposed-airport-boundary-adjustment-announced/

Action Required - Send submissions and speak up for better outcomes - it seems absurd to destroy so much farmland to try to create a handful of aviation jobs.

8) Billy Bishop Airport

There continues to be considerable media coverage about all of the concerns regarding the unnecessary and unwanted Toronto Island Airport Expansion, its negative impacts, and costs now estimated to be several billions of dollars.

An informative website with helpful resources has been organized by civic leaders in Toronto to oppose the expansion of the island airport:

https://torealitycheck.ca/

Here's an excellent video with Ken Greenberg discussing Toronto's waterfront and the proposal to expand Billy Bishop as he provides a little tour of some of the sites.

The Best of Toronto's Waterfront - And Why We Might Lose It (TO Reality Check)

https://youtube.com/shorts/3NsEX5KAvF4?si=XBI7jHC_fQVNKPHt

The survey for the public consultation by the federal government about the proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Airport closes soon - July 24, 2026.

Learn more and complete the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/PFJSW2X

Additional Information - No Jets TO is collaborating with Environmental Defence - here’s a website that 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, Toronto

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

Recent Media - Includes new health concerns:

TorontoToday.ca - Jets At Billy Bishop On Collision Course With Health And Safety:

https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/opinion/billy-bishop-jets-collision-course-health-and-safety-op-ed-12537897

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

9) Sweeping Planning System Changes Proposed for County of Brant

A Community Permit Planning System (CPPS) is currently under consideration by County of Brant Council. County Staff did a presentation to accompany the Staff Report with the CPPS characterized as a way of streamlining the planning application process. Implementing this new system requires an amendment to the County's Official Plan.

Many concerns and questions have been raised as this impacts how future land use and development decisions will be made. One significant concern is the rushed timing. There is a push for the decisions to be made quickly - before the lame duck period begins prior to the upcoming municipal election. Councillors received ~1700 pages of documents to review in their 'Friday Files' in preparation for the Council meeting on July 7, 2026. At that meeting Council deferred final consideration of the CPPS, including both proposed Official Plan Amendment, and the Community Planning Permit ByLaw for the CPPS due to the large number of questions that remained unanswered.

This matter is scheduled to return to Council on July 28, 2026. Subject to Council's approval and the applicable appeal periods, the CPPS could come into effect as soon as August 22, 2026. Once approved, these changes will not be able to be appealed for five years. Another concern that has been raised is the CPPS will apply county-wide to all rural areas as well as settlements (Paris, St. George, Burford). In other municipalities CPPS has been implemented in specific areas.

Learn more:

County of Brant Engage Brant CPPS:

https://engagebrant.ca/cpps

Engage Brant comparison between CPPS v. existing Zoning Bylaw:

https://betterbrant.ca/community-planning-permit-system/

Learn more about CPPS - other places where CPPS approved include Simcoe County, Peterborough, City of Waterloo (Erb Rd Corridor) and a section of the City of Guelph.

City of Waterloo: CPPS Education Booklet (page 4 has a list of a number of other communities where a CPPS has been implemented):

https://www.waterloo.ca/media/b3mmlnpf/city-of-waterloo-cpps-education-booklet.pdf

City of Waterloo Engage Waterloo CPPS page:

https://www.engagewr.ca/waterloo-haf-initiative-7

City of Guelph: Community Planning Permit System for Stone Road and Edinburgh Road modified Strategic Growth Area:

https://guelph.ca/living/house-and-home/housing-in-guelph/creating-housing/community-planning-permit-system/

Guelph Today - Developers appeal Guelph's downtown community planning permit bylaw:

https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/developers-appeal-guelphs-downtown-community-planning-permit-bylaw-12343120

Construction News - Simcoe County launches planning toolkit to speed housing approvals:

https://ontarioconstructionnews.com/simcoe-county-launches-planning-toolkit-to-speed-housing-approvals

Peterborough Examiner - Council endorses planning framework to streamline growth:

https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news/council-endorses-planning-framework-to-streamline-growth/article_96d80048-e6a8-5e88-96fd-e6a04c0497ba.html

Action Required - Speak up and ensure we have the best possible planning systems.

10) 1000 Days Of RCMP Investigation Into The Provincial Greenbelt Scandal

Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles marked the 1000th day of the RCMP investigation in to Doug Ford and the provincial government recently 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 that enable phone records, cabinet records, and more to remain secret:

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/

New!- The Greenbelt could be a significant issue in upcoming by-elections:

The Hamilton Spectator - New Democrats Hope Greenbelt Scandal Haunts Doug Ford In Byelections:

https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/ontario-waste-depots-are-drowning-in-used-tires--and-experts-say-it-is-only-going-to-get-worse/article_7bd3f8cf-c324-5ed7-9956-bc0784fb4263.html

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

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/

New Greenbelt Report - The Ecological Value Of The Greenbelt - It’s fantastic to see a new report confirming the massive ecological value of the Greenbelt finding that it generates more than three times more biocapacity than the rest of Ontario - confirming its importance and essential role in sustaining Ontario’s resources, economy, and quality of life. Read the report at:

https://greenbelt.ca/research-report/the-ecological-value-of-ontarios-greenbelt/

Greenbelt Webinar - There will be a new webinar featuring York University and experts from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Ontario Nature, and others on the Ecological Value of the Greenbelt. Details are as follows:

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 28th at 10:00am

Register at:

https://yorku.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0NrJXlknRKmFXDjyvtSm0g?

Action Required - Make plans to join the webinar. Keep speaking up and demanding a stronger, bigger, and better Greenbelt.

11) Water Crisis Solved!?!

The Region of Waterloo has announced that the Water Crisis is over and that the seven month long 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 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 more of water 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 all of the root causes and underlying factors have not been addressed. In fact, not a single one of these seven solutions our community groups has been calling for has been utilized:

Increase Available Water Supply For A Phased Lifting Of The Development Approval Moratorium - but no new sources of water have been brought online - just increased pumping from existing sources,

Implement A Water-Taking Permit and Aggregate Moratorium - there has been no improvements from the province,

Relocate The Wilmot Mega-Industrial Land Assembly - the Wilmot Land Grab continues still without a single public meeting, report, or any financial analysis,

Resource Conservation Authorities And Ensure Comprehensive Watershed Planning Processes - the province continues with the forced amalgamation of our Conservation Authorities,

Mandate Green Development Standards and Water Conservation - the province has banned better building standards and done nothing to address water conservation,

Implement BlueBelt/Greenbelt Protection - there has been no provincial effort to expand the Greenbelt or protect the Waterloo Moraine aquifers we depend on,

Move Towards A New Single-Tier Governance With Planning Authority Guided By A Visionary Official Plan - local governance is a bigger mess than ever with an anointed Regional Chair and democracy loss.

The solutions our community organizations have been calling for have been ignored for months, and the root causes have not been addressed despite the claims of “Solving of the Water Crisis”.

Water Allocations - Concerns about water allocations continues as local municipalities struggle to decide who should get the limited available water:

The Record - Cambridge Councillors Question Giving Staff Authority Over Water Allocation Decisions:

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/who-should-make-water-allocation-decisions-in-cambridge/article_8a586692-8b84-5f70-bdd6-5a9e4bccbaae.html

Funding Challenges - The Region of Waterloo also released a report on the challenges ahead funding new water projects with dramatically reduced development charges and over $850 million in needed investments identified already:

https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=18035

Well Interference Committee and Wilmot Concerns - Following up the Region's lack of any regional assistance to all 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 expressed concerns are calling for better solutions. The Region held an in-person meeting on Tuesday to receive feedback on the review process and the Well Interference Committee. More information should be available soon.

Action Required - This story is far from over and we need to continue to demand better solutions. Speak up now for water security by writing Regional Councillors and area MPPs (contact information at end of update).

12) Recent Articles

Include Trump opening protected areas to development in a huge setback for environmental areas, another provincial government recycling failure, new Guelph developments, and a great reminder that trees are a solution to help cool our communities:

CNN - Trump Administration Opens Endangered Species Habitats To Development, Reversing 50 Years Of Environmental Law:

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/10/climate/trump-endangered-species-habitats-rule-change

The Hamilton Spectator - Ontario Waste Depots Are Drowning In Used Tires And Experts Say Its Only Going To Get Worse:

https://www.thespec.com/politics/provincial/ontario-waste-depots-are-drowning-in-used-tires--and-experts-say-it-is-only-going-to-get-worse/article_7bd3f8cf-c324-5ed7-9956-bc0784fb4263.html

CTV News - Guelph Council Sets Its Sights On New Development For Former Industrial Site:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/guelph-council-sets-sight-on-new-development-for-former-industrial-site/

The Woolwich Observer - Heat Is A Very Real Reminder Of The Need For Tree Cover:

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-woolwich-observer/20260716/281590952326880

13) Official Plans

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.

a) 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 27th.

New! - Wilmot Staff have just released their final version Draft #3 with extensive new headings and more re-organization, but few of the hundreds of suggestions made by community groups were incorporated. We all need to speak up to demand the better future plan that we need. Check out this latest minimal plan at the EngageWilmot website at:

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

Discussions are underway between community groups, citizens, and elected officials on how best to address serious shortfalls ahead of the plan by Wilmot Staff for Council to vote on this Official Plan on July 27th.

b) 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

c) 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

Please also watch for other Official Plans coming forward across the Grand River watershed.

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 plans needed for the decades ahead and not minimalist plans written only to please Doug Ford and land speculator lobbyists.

14) Nith Valley Ecoboosters Youth Night

The Nith Valley EcoBoosters Youth Advocates are presenting All Things Green Youth Trivia Night! Join for an evening of trivia, snacks, and prizes! This Trivia Night's theme is 'All Things Green' - plants, bugs & animals, sustainability, etc. You do not need to be an expert in any of these topics!

Date/Time: Thursday, July 23rd from 6pm to 9pm

Location - Wilmot Recreation Complex, 1291 Nafziger Road, Baden in the Wayne Roth Meeting Room

Register For Free At:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-trivia-night-tickets-1992560985546?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

15) Government Action?

PM Mark Carney @mark-carney.bsky.social announced 'catalyzing' massive spending on carbon capture, referenced this article:

CBC News - Agreement reached on multibillion-dollar Pathways carbon capture and storage project:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-ottawa-pathways-oilsands-carbon-capture-9.7268392

The members of the consortium behind the Pathways Project are Canadian Natural Resources, Imperial Oil, Suncor, Cenovus Energy and ConocoPhillips. Collectively, they're known as the Oil Sands Alliance.

With all of the wildfire activity, smoke and evacuations where are Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet ministers?

Doug Ford has been shilling coffee for Tim Hortons.

Watch the video posted by Jenny Lee Shee @jennyleeshee.bsky.social (Bluesky):

https://bsky.app/profile/jennyleeshee.bsky.social/post/3mqoxkshxok23

The Trillium @thetrillium.bsky.social Toronto-area PC MPPs have billed taxpayers over $100K for Toronto overnight stays:

https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/government-finance-and-the-economy/toronto-area-pc-mpps-have-billed-taxpayers-over-100k-for-toronto-overnight-stays-12547497

Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce was complaining about the heat while he was announcing a new pipeline in Sarnia. Watch the stunning comments in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/EplpJpRhuLo?si=bLD1IOrBnyta0Rvr

Originally shared by @jennyleeshee.bsky.social on Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/jennyleeshee.bsky.social/post/3mqp5nyhlbs2x

16) 2026 Municipal Elections

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:

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”.

17) Building A Liveable Ontario Podcasts

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

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

18) Province-Wide Protests And Rallies Planned for July

Following the very successful FightFord protests and the amazing turnouts at more than 60 locations across Ontario, the next protests are planned for Saturday, July 25th. No matter where you are in the province pack your signs and show up at a local rally. It’s a great chance to meet new people sharing similar concerns and to help build the momentum. More information can be found on the posters below in Appendix E):

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 - Protest Doug Ford:

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.

19) Keep Water Public - Fight Bill 60

Join the initiatives to fight back against Bill 60 and the provincial government’s attempt to privatize water for profit in Ontario.

Water Webinar - Water Watchers 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 the webinar recording:

https://youtu.be/4yRPC6JF-FE?si=Dx_d-61_Yges5fyh

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 Consultation - 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.

20) Troubling Global News

Includes a drastically different US Immigration policy:

The Big Picture - Every Refugee Admitted To The USA In 2026 Has Been White:

https://thinkbigpicture.substack.com/p/4chan-trump-pipeline-immigration-maha

21) Reminder - Next Meeting:

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

Topic: Grand River Watershed Zoom Meeting

Time: Some Fridays 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, 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 theatrical production at the Registry Theatre, Kitchener

https://registrytheatre.com/event/rachel-carson-2/

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

B) Waterloo Moraine - Our Water Is Not For Sale

https://gpo.ca/action_campaign/protect-waterloo-moraine/?source=C26.E.PWM1

C) Rachel Carson - An Original Registry Theatre Production July 30th to August 9th

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

D) Fight Ford Protests - Saturday, July 25th:

E) Nith Valley Ecoboosters Youth Trivia Night - July 23rd from 6pm to 9pm

F) Rare Trail Party - Sunday, September 20, 2026

https://raceroster.com/events/2026/130591/2026-trail-party-walk-hike-or-run-for-rare

G) Contact Info:

Speak Up and Ensure Your Voice is Heard:

Wilmot Township Council

All Wilmot Councillors can be reached at a single simple address: council@wilmot.ca

Letters should also be sent to: clerks@wilmot.ca to be included as part of the public record.

Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Wilmot, natasha.salonen@wilmot.ca or 519-634-8519 x 9351

Stewart Cressman, Councillor Ward 1, Wilmot, stewart.cressman@wilmot.ca

Kris Wilkinson, Councillor Ward 2, Wilmot, kris.wilkinson@wilmot.ca

Harvir Sidhu, Councillor Ward 3, Wilmot, harvir.sidhu@wilmot.ca

Lillianne Dunstall, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, lillianne.dunstall@wilmot.ca

Steven Martin, Councillor Ward 4, Wilmot, steven.martin@wilmot.ca

Region of Waterloo Council

All Regional Councillors and Mayors can be reached at this single address: regionalcouncillors@regionofwaterloo.ca

Karen Redman, Regional Chair, kredman@regionofwaterloo.ca

Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor, Kitchener, berryv@kitchener.ca

Dorothy McCabe, Mayor, City of Waterloo, dorothy.mccabe@waterloo.ca

Jan Liggett, Cambridge Mayor, Cambridge, liggettj@cambridge.ca

Sue Foxton, Mayor, North Dumfries, sfoxton@northdumfries.ca

Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Wilmot, natasha.salonen@wilmot.ca

Joe Nowak, Mayor, Wellesley, jnowak@wellesley.ca

Sandy Shantz, Mayor, Woolwich, sshantz@woolwich.ca

Doug Craig, Regional Councillor, Cambridge, dougcraig@regionofwaterloo.ca

Pam Wolf, Regional Councillor, Cambridge, pwolf@regionofwaterloo.ca

Colleen James, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, CJames@regionofwaterloo.ca

Michael Harris, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, MHarris@regionofwaterloo.ca

Matt Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Kitchener, mrodrigues@regionofwaterloo.ca

Joe Gowing, 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