Protect Our Moraine

A new Community Park in the Clair-Maltby Area. There are so many reasons to go with the Marcolongo’s proposed option that includes a new park on the back end of the Springfield golf course - sightlines to the pond, increased access to nature for all, and most importantly, REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING can be a reality here. Please speak to your mayor/councillor before Monday.

A new Community Park in the Clair-Maltby Area. There are so many reasons to go with the Marcolongos proposed option that includes a new park on the back end of the Springfield golf course - sightlines to the pond, increased access to nature for all, and most importantly, REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING can be a reality here. Please speak to your mayor/councillor before Monday.

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Road salt has become a major contaminant in our freshwaters. As ice and snow begin to melt, excess salt is washed away into waterways and ends up in the Great L...akes. In some areas, aquatic habitats are becoming too salty for many freshwater species to survive. Support Environmental Defence Canada's initiative to be #LessSalty and protect #freshwater by signing their petition. https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/54439/action/1

Hi folks, Sorry for the late notice about this. There is an important information session happening tonight at City Hall regarding the release of technical studies related to water resources, stormwater management, and protection of natural heritage resources. ... Mike Schreiner will also be speaking to his Bill 71 which is before provincial legislature, that would see protections legislated for the Paris-Galt moraine and protect our water for the future. This is an important step in the planning of this development. Join us and have your questions answered. Information session: Planning for growth while protecting the moraine, water resources and natural heritage resources March 28, 2019 7-9 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall 1 Carden Street, Guelph You are invited to join members of the community, interested stakeholders and members of the Environmental Advisory Committee, River Systems Advisory Committee, Clair-Maltby Community Working Group and Clair-Maltby Technical Advisory Group at this information session to learn more about technical work that has been undertaken to date as part of the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan. Agenda Dave Belanger, the Citys Water Supply Program Manager, will describe how the Grand River Source Water Protection Plan and the Citys Water Supply Master Plan inform the Secondary Plan process Guelphs MPP, Mike Schreiner, will discuss how proposed Bill 71- An Act to Conserve the Paris Galt Moraine works with the Secondary Plan to protect the Paris Galt Moraine The Secondary Plan Project Team will present the Comprehensive Environmental Impact Study (CEIS) Phase 3 Impact Assessment You will have the opportunity to ask questions for clarification following each speaker. Additional Information The Phase 3 Impact Assessment is a technical document that assesses the potential impacts of the planned future development to the local and neighbouring environmental systems and features. The report also establishes preliminary management requirements. The findings of the assessment will inform refinements to the land use concept and establish recommended management strategies. The CEIS Year 3 Monitoring Report will be also be available on March 12, 2019 at https://guelph.ca//clair-maltby-secondary-pl/cm-documents/. It can also be found on the project webpage, guelph.ca/clair-maltby, under documents. Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP) update The following technical reports are now posted on the project webpage at https://guelph.ca//clair-maltby-secondary-pl/cm-documents/: Wastewater Servicing Existing Conditions Design Criteria & Level of Service Objectives Report Wastewater Servicing Alternative Servicing Strategies Development Report Water Servicing Existing Conditions Design Criteria & Level of Service Objectives Report Water Servicing Alternative Servicing Strategies Development Report Transportation Master Plan Study

Mattamy Homes, a developer in the Clair-Maltby area, are facing charges for the illegal removal of trees on their property. Sadly, this is not the first time we have seen developers altering this sensitive landscape in advance of upcoming residential development. https://www.guelphmercury.com//9241343-78-charges-pending/

Excellent news! Mike Schreiner's private member bill to legislate protection of the Paris-Galt moraine passed a key vote in the legislature with unanimous support from all parties! https://www.guelphtoday.com//schreiner-receives-all-party-

Mike Schreiner's Paris Galt Moraine protection bill is going up for second reading this Thursday March 7 at Queen's Park. This bill would offer similar protections to that of the Oak Ridges moraine bill. If you would like to get on the bus to support Mike on Thursday, Wellington Water Watchers has a sign up here: https://wellingtonwaterwatchers.nationbuilder.com/march7_pm

A reminder from our friends at Wellington Water Watchers... if you live outside Guelph, please call your MPP today to let them know you support this bill. Details below... On Wednesday February 20th, a Private Members Bill to establish a Paris Galt Moraine Conservation Plan will be introduced at the Ontario legislature. This Bill largely applies and builds upon the framework that was developed for the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, which was written and passed by a Prog...ressive Conservative government in 2001. If successful, this bill would provide land use planning direction to provincial ministries, municipalities, landowners, and other stakeholders on how to protect the moraine's ecological and hydrological features for the benefit of present and future generations. Mike Schreiner, MPP of Guelph will be presenting this bill. If you live in a riding outside of Guelph, will you take a moment now to call your MPP and let them know that you support this bill to Protect the Paris Galt Moraine? https://wellingtonwaterwatchers.nationbuilder.com/call-mpp- The Paris Galt Moraine is an essential recharge, discharge, and storage area in the Grand River Watershed. In the moraine, rainwater is naturally filtered in underground aquifers and serves to replenish the groundwater system for drinking water. This region, and especially the City of Guelph, is already experiencing water use restrictions. Increases in population and droughts caused by climate change will only exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, commercial and industrial demands are raising concerns in the area about the future quality and quantity of water available for the public, and the existing policies and laws are insufficient to adequately protect the ecological integrity of the moraine. The Paris Galt Moraine provides and purifies water at no cost to citizens. Establishing the conservation act is an opportunity to address water management concerns in a fiscally responsible manner now before the situation becomes dire. Failing to properly protect the moraine, and in turn preserve the regions source of fresh water, will lead to massive investments in infrastructure to provide water for the region. Furthermore, local business, farmers and industry depend upon this water source for local jobs and prosperity. The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan has been effective in protecting the natural heritage of the area, modifying building practices to direct urban growth, and raising awareness about the significance of the moraine without limiting innovation and development in the region. The passing of the Paris Galt Moraine Act would achieve similar results and enshrine another key environmental policy into law in Ontario. Please take this moment and let your MPP know how important this bill is. Call your MPP and use our talking points to let them know you support this bill to protect the Paris Galt Moraine.

Mike Schreiner will be tabling a private members bill to protect #ParisGaltMoraine soon. Get on the bus to support him!...

Protect Our Moraine (POM) Coalition is sending an urgent request to Mayor and Council to ensure that the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan has the strongest possible policies to discourage builders from harming the ecology of the Paris-Galt moraine that Guelph residents hold dear. Last week, it was brought to the attention of POM that allegedly illegal tree clearing and grading was happening at 2187 Gordon St., a property in the Clair-Maltby development area. (https://www.guelphme...rcury.com//9145183-city-issues-stop-w/). We now know that this property is registered to a numbered company owned by Mattamy Homes - the largest privately-owned builder in North America and Canada's largest new home construction and development firm. Drone imagery submitted anonymously to POM shows evidence of a significant amount of grading activity having taken place at the rear of the property, in addition to tree clearing at the front. If indeed these actions occurred without the appropriate permits being granted by the City of Guelph, the developers' actions are in direct contravention of the City's site alteration bylaw - and may have put at risk or worse, irreversibly damaged natural, cultural and archeological resources on the property. The coalition is appreciative that City of Guelph Planning, Engineering and Bylaw staff quickly investigated and issued a stop-work order for this destruction of protected natural features. We are however, very concerned that this is not the first landowner in the Clair-Maltby area alleged to have illegally tampered with the land over the past several years. In 2009, Carson Reid was charged and fined for an illegal clear-cut at 2007 Victoria Road in the Clair-Maltby area. As the City of Guelph moves forward with the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan, we expect that elected officials will ensure that the secondary plan will abide by Guelph's "Environment First" policy and include the strongest possible policies to discourage companies such as Mattamy Homes from putting at risk what Guelph residents hold dear - clean water and the integrity of the water recharge functions of the Paris-Galt Moraine. Please join us in holding our political leaders to account. POM will be hosting a speakers series throughout February- April on green infrastructure and responsible development approaches to help the City fulfill its Environment First commitment. Stay tuned for details.

GUELPH NEEDS MAXIMUM PARKLAND! On Monday, January 28th, a critical decision about the future of parkland in Guelph will be made at City Council. Every person who moves to Guelph brings with them a need for additional parkland. Our Parkland Dedication By-law dictates how much land or cash developers have to give the City for new parks when they build. The current By-law is 30-years out of date. Our failure to access the maximum land and cash allowed under the Planning Act h...Continue reading

The City is looking to the community for input on the policy directions for how the development at Clair-Maltby will progress. This is an important time to have your say about what the vital things are that they consider. Protect Our Moraine is asking for policies that protect the groundwater resources - like the Low Impact Development methods laid out in this Op Ed below. Have your say by visiting: https://guelph.ca//clair-maltby-public-workshop-policy-di/. There are publ...ic workshops on December 4th - 1:30-4pm and 6:30-9pm at Salvation Army, 1320 Gordon St. If you can't make those, there are other options available to you on the City website link above. There's going to be a few more public engagement opportunities as well, so stay tuned.

As we approach municipal election day on October 22, we thought you might be interested in this report card that Wellington Water Watchers (WWW) released recently. As part of their Grand Agenda for Groundwater Action, WWW surveyed all candidates about where they stand on local water, environment and development issues. The report card summarizes responses from the 25 of 35 candidates (71%) whom completed the survey. It is a valuable report because it allows voters to gauge wh...ere candidates stand on issues important to them, AND puts candidates who are elected on the record for what they stand for. You can find the full report card here: Report Card on Grand Agenda for Groundwater Action https://www.groundwateraction.ca/reportcard To stay in touch with whats happening with the Clair-Maltby development, sign up for the Protect Our Moraine newsletter. https://wellingtonwaterwatchers.nationbuilder.com/protect-o

Hi folks, Thanks for all your support over the past few weeks. A decision was made on Monday night to proceed to Phase 3 of the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan, and the Coalition is pleased with systems set in place to get it done right. Heres a quick update on what transpired at City Council on June 25, 2018...Continue reading

Hey folks, here's an update on where things are at with the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan (CMSP) process. On June 14th, City Council considered a recommendation from staff to approve the Preferred Community Structure to complete Phase 2 of the project and allow movement onto Phase 3 where more detailed environmental servicing plans could proceed. Council heard many great delegations that addressed the Citys commitment to parkland in the new development, incorporating renewable... energy, the lack of transparency and community engagement in the process, and most importantly not proceeding to Phase 3 until all the scientific studies from Phase 2 had been comprehensively reviewed and incorporated into the plan. After the delegations, Councillors asked some good questions of staff about what it would mean to slow down the process, how they were going to ensure community engagement happens, and how the City is engaging with the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation, upon whose land the City resides. Decision on the approving the plan, as well as some new motions to allow the Protect Our Moraine coalition greater involvement in the process was referred to the next meeting on June 25th. Some of our concerns have not been addressed by Council so we will be delegating again. We need to continue to show the communitys broad support to encourage City Council to get this development right, make sure developers dont have free reign to flatten and pave over this sensitive natural area, and ensure the City follows its own Environment First policy. Please join us on Monday June 25th in City Council chambers. The meeting starts at 6:30, but CMSP is at the end of the agenda, so if you want to join a bit later (after 7:30) your support would be most appreciated. If you want to make a delegation yourself, the deadline for registering is Friday June 22 at 10 am. Thanks for your support!

Another serious threat to our local water supply - this proposed plant would take 1.6 Million Litres of water daily from a sensitive aquifer designated "at RISK" by the GRCA. -66% of this water will be EVAPORATED during the manufacturing process. Please look further here: https://getconcerned.org/

Todays the day folks! Join us tonight at City Hall council chambers to help make sure the City gets this development plan right! Environment first is part of the Citys planning policy... and weve got some questions about that!

You can send a quick and easy letter to the Mayor and Councillors by using this handy link. https://wellingtonwaterwatchers.nationbuilder.com/clair-mal We would encourage you to personalize your own message and send it to your local councillors, as well as write letters to the editor at Guelph Tribune if you feel so inspired.