Maintain and implement the…

Maintain and implement the original Waterloo Region Official Plan of August 2022.

Along with many others in our region from the townships as well as from the urban areas, I spent hours researching (I know many other volunteers gave much more time and effort than what I did) and then some time delegating in support of the Waterloo Region Official Plan. The townships and the Urban areas found agreement on that plan.

Current proposals in Bill 162 appear to utilize a "divide and conquer" approach which does not reflect planning consideration for the wider region. We are part of a much wider system that depends on natural cycles and regenerating capacity. Planning that ignores those cycles and considers only isolated industrial and residential concerns for humans will lead to peril. Humans are one part of an intricate and finely balance ecological system that is tipping toward climate extremes. Planning that does not consider systemic effects is dangerous to the wellbeing of all.

In my opinion, the current proposals regarding regional official plans are evidence of "top down" use of power and reflect some dangerous non-systemic planning while also ignoring much of the volunteer input expended in the development of the original plans.

Well water is the source of the Region of Waterloo drinking water. Well water requires recharge areas, wetlands and freedom from industrial and residential stresses. Wetlands require wildlife and interactions of different species to maintain the health of an area so that recharge can function as an interactive system.

To see the piecemeal changes proposed now is an insult to the many who spent countless hours on the original Official Plan. There are existing, planned spaces for intensification, and industrialization. We do not need expansion onto recharge areas or elimination of even the smallest of wetlands. Provision for multiple residences within the 2022 Official Plan boundaries on currently underutilized properties preserves the functioning ecosystems and provides wellbeing for the region's future populations.

Do the right thing. Plan with a view to the whole system. Preserve and implement the original Region of Waterloo Official Plan 2022. We helped create it so you could Get that Done!