Environmental Registry of…

Environmental Registry of Ontario No. 019-5952: Region of Waterloo Official Plan Amendment No. 6

As a citizen I was deeply impressed by the wisdom of my peers and the specialists who contributed to this visionary Region of Waterloo Plan Amendment No. 6, building on the previous Official Plans collaboratively developed among the Region, the cities, the townships, and the citizens. This regional plan resulted from a rural-urban partnership whose cooperation is working well and has made, and is making Waterloo Region a desirable area to live and carry on a wide variety of pursuits in business, education, agriculture, arts, and leisure.

Such cooperation requires trust. Trust is built over many years of conversations, deliberations, problem solving and developing consensus about the best way forward for all citizens and environmentally sensitive areas in this region. Cooperation involves openness to take the time to listen to ALL voices, including those who may slow down our process until a better way forward is planned. Indigenous people with their wisdom rooted in the land, possess teachings about better ways of listening to the living, life-giving land and planning appropriately for future generations.

Waterloo Region Official Plan Amendment 6 as submitted to you has all the qualities of a better way forward designed by local experts, elected official, and citizens. Notwithstanding Bill 23, this plan should be approved as submitted because it serves both the region and all its constituencies well for the future, both in ability to provide development lands for housing and businesses within the boundaries the plan outlines, and to sustain natural and recreation areas that will be needed to support the people who will come to work and play in the region.

Intensification is already underway within the Region’s urban boundaries. As the population of the Region grows, preserving natural areas becomes even more important for mental health, water purification (we are dependent on well water for the region’s water supply) and recreational activities. A health citizenry is key to a healthy region including healthy businesses, homes, shelters, food and water. Intricate interconnected systems of wildlife, moraines, forested areas, wetlands, and fertile farmlands contribute to the healthy diversified natural settings that are essential contributors to the Region’s overall general health.

A question that needs to be asked by your committee is how the Ontario Land Tribunal, originally set up to be a truth-seeking body, is primarily used by those seeking to develop certain areas that would alter plans, in which, local citizens and municipal governments have already devoted significant expertise and time to codify their desired future. How is it acceptable that private interests can override local wisdom that is inclusive of social, economic, environmental, and governance implications of the approved plan?

The Region of Waterloo Official Plan Amendment No. 6 before you represents the will of engaged citizenry exercising their democratic option to be involved, for up to 2 years in advance of this plan, receiving copious local debate at each township and city and finally, the region itself. Your committee must seriously consider if your committee’s fiduciary responsibility to Ontario citizens is fulfilled in making any change to the plan as submitted.

I register with you my support for the Region of Waterloo Official Plan as submitted.

Submitted with respect, by a citizen residing in the Township of Wellesley in the province of Ontario, and a participant in local township public meetings and other submissions leading up to the local democratic approval of the Regional of Waterloo Official Plan Amendment No. 6.