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Last chance to Take Action to Save Ancaster Creek Wetland!

6/3/2021

 
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Thank you to those who have added their voices to the now over 450 citizens calling on the Hamilton Conservation Authority to not allow the Ancaster Creek Wetland to be paved over.

Together we have hosted two rallies on this issue, have sent nearly 200 letters to the HCA board, and written to the Province's environmental commissioner asking for a province wide review of offsetting. You can still take action today! 

Submit your letter (template below) to the HCA board before 5pm today and ask to be added to the agenda for tonight's meeting.  

The Hamilton Conservation Authority meeting on the fate of the Ancaster wetland and headwaters can be viewed live at 7 pm on Thursday, June 3 on HCA’s YouTube Channel:
 https://www.youtube.com/user/HamiltonConservation 

​We'll be live tweeting on the Hamilton 350 twitter account (@Hamilton350). 

Thank you again for taking action to protect our local water! Sincerely, 

Action 13, Hamilton 350, and StopSprawl HamOnt


Draft Letter to HCA board:
To: jaime.tellier@conservationhamilton.ca CC: chad.collins@hamilton.ca; tom.jackson@hamilton.ca; esther.pauls@hamilton.ca; brad.clark@hamilton.ca; maria.pearson@hamilton.ca; lloyd.ferguson@hamilton.ca; dbowman@hamiltonpolice.on.ca; sfielding@puslinch.ca; robmoc@sympatico.ca; maria.topalovic@gmail.com; donmurraymclean@gmail.com

Dear Jamie Tellier and HCA Board, 

I am writing today in opposition to the proposal to offset the Ancaster Creek Wetland located at 140 Garner Rd E. Ontario has already lost 75% of it's wetland cover and we have a responsibility to protect our last remaining wetlands where they are. The province's environmental commissioner, HCA policy, the  HCA's draft offsetting policy all state that relocating or "offsetting" a wetland should only ever be used as a last resort. 

We are in a climate crisis and wetlands play a vital role in both adaptation and mitigation to a changing climate. They also support biodiversity in Ontario, including providing habitat for many species at risk. 

As a citizen I'm asking that you reflect on your duty to protect watershed health and not permit this wetland to be destroyed and recreated elsewhere.


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Conservation Matters Webinar 4 - Save the Ancaster Creek wetland and headwaters

6/2/2021

 

Video now available!


​The scheme to relocate the headwaters of Ancaster Creek and its associated wetland returns to the Hamilton Conservation Authority board at their next meeting on June 3. A decision was expected at the HCA's last meeting, but concerned citizens flooded the Conservation Authority with letters of opposition and successfully delayed it. For our May 26 Conservation Matters webinar, we talked about the importance of this ecosystem, the political context of the fight to save it, and the next moves we can take to win.

We had a very engaging discussion with some excellent questions from our audience.  The Calls to Action were:

​1. Petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/save-ancaster-creek/

2. Write to the Hamilton Conservation Authority Board and tell them to listen to their own staff and concerned citizens and reject the proposal to offset this locally significant wetland! Email Jaime.Tellier@conservationhamilton.ca and ask for your letter to be sent to the board and added to the June 3rd meeting agenda.

3.Write to your Hamilton City Councillor and ask them to take action to protect this wetland now and in the future by rezoning it to Conservation zoning under the city of Hamilton's Zoning Bylaw. Find your city Councillor here: www.hamilton.ca/council-committee/mayor-council/city-councillors

​4. Ask Tyler Schultz the acting Assistant Auditor General Commissioner of the Environment to step in and review all wetland offsetting policies and offsetting applications since 2018 to ensure this tool is truly being used as rarely as possible. - more information to come
SHOW LESS

Conservation principles threatened

5/29/2021

 

Check out this Spec opinion piece by Thomas A Beckett regarding the proposed development at 140 Garner Road E (location of Ancaster Creek wetland and headwaters.)  Beckett is a resident of Dundas, a retired superior court justice, and the first Chair of what is now know as the Hamilton Conservation Authority 

The board of the Hamilton Conservation Authority will soon be voting on a proposed new policy that would allow development on sensitive wetlands.

One such proposal on Garner Road East in Ancaster would pave over a huge area to allow for the construction of five warehouses and parking for 3000 employees. The waters from that wetland are part of the headwaters of Ancaster Creek, which flows over Tiffany Falls. This proposal will allow the developer to substitute land elsewhere for the existing wetland, contrary to existing HCA policy.

he obligation of a board member of any organization, whether private or public, is to always vote in the interest of the organization. If a member of the HCA board finds they are unable to support the authority and intends to support the developer’s interest instead, then their obligation is to resign their seat.

This includes the authority’s chair, Lloyd Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson cannot serve two masters at the same time. If he is unwilling to support the authority’s principles and policies he should resign and be replaced by someone who does.

​It is ironic that members of the public should find themselves fighting the HCA in order to maintain the policies and principles of good conservation. Thomas A Beckett, Dundas

Source: 

Hamilton Spectator Letters to the Editor
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Register now!  Join us for our fourth webinar on May 26th, 2021 from 7-8:30 p.m.

5/26/2021

 
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​REGISTER HERE​

In our fourth webinar we'll provide updates about the movement to protect Ancaster Creek Wetland and headwaters


The webinar will include the following topics:

The importance of water and wetlands is being defended within our city. 
In the face of the threat to the wetland and headwaters of Ancaster Creek, people within the city and beyond are rising up to protect our water and wetlands. Over 60 outraged letters sent to the Hamilton Conservation Authority have succeeded in delaying the decision on permitting relocation of the wetland and portion of the headwaters of Ancaster Creek.

Learn more about how this development will effect Hamilton if allowed.
The developers want to build five warehouses and massive parking lots on the agricultural and aquatic lands at 140 Garner Road East. This will damage the wetland and headwaters, the species within them, and eliminate an active farm well-known for its pumpkin patch and other produce.
Receive personal impact statements, and find out how you can help!
We’ll interview Indigenous land defenders, the farm family, the local provincial legislator and Ancaster residents. And we’ll tell you what can be done to convince the HCA board to do the right thing at its June 3 meeting.

Our opportunity to engage this local movement in climate action is growing.
​Reaction to the application to have a wetland moved, and it’s headwaters paved over, is creating a successful campaign to protect Hamilton’s environment and urban boundary. Though the application is still to be heard by the Hamilton Conservation Authority, people power has successfully delayed the application, brought the scheme to our attention, and made the HCA very aware that we both understand and will not allow the negative impacts of such a development to occur. Let's continue to work to save the Ancaster Creek Wetland and headwaters, and hold Conservation Authorities to matters of conservation. #conservationmatters

Join us May 26!
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Emergency Rally - Protect Our Watershed

5/16/2021

 

Video now available!

Developers want to replace the headwaters of Ancaster Creek with five warehouses and thousands of parking spaces, plus a replacement wetlands. Last night, the Hamilton Conservation Authority deferred this proposal at the request of the applicant! For months, Hamilton 350 and Action 13 have been sharing stories from across the province which show that when we fight we win! Last night our community added our own win to the map! In the face of over 60 letters sent to the HCA Board about the relocation of a wetland and and stream of Ancaster Creek, the applicant requested the decision about their proposal to do so be deferred to the next HCA meeting on June 3rd! There will now be more opportunities to intervene to protect the wetland and stream in the headwaters of Ancaster Creek. If you were one of the letter writers, thanks for helping to make a difference. If you missed last night's emergency rally or want to pass it on to others, check out this video. It will provide information about the (now deferred) proposal, the difficulties Conservation Authorities are facing under the Ford Government, and information specific to the workings of the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Conservation Matters Webinar 3 - Water is Life

5/16/2021

 

Video now available!

For the third session in our Conservation Matters webinar series we partnered with Action 13 and welcomed panelists from the Hamilton Conservation Authority and Wellington Water Watchers. We also watched an excerpt from a talk by Dr. Kelsey Leonard — a water scientist, legal scholar, policy expert, writer, and enrolled citizen of the Shinnecock Nation — on 'Why lakes and rivers should have the same rights as humans.'

Scott Peck, the deputy director of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, detailed plans for reconstructed wetlands in upper Stoney Creek. The in-ground work starts next year and the project is expected to help prevent downstream flooding and erosion, as well as increase public recreational areas. Arlene Slocombe of the Wellington Water Watchers updated the audience on the fight against Nestlé and how Indigenous knowledge has guided their struggle. Learn more about their successful actions, and find out how you can help protect water and wetlands at
https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/

We host webinars like this on a regular basis. Follow Hamilton 350 on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on Conservation Matters sessions to come.

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Conservation Matters Webinar 2 - Money doesn't talk, it screams, but we scream louder!

4/21/2021

 

Video now available!

Conservation matters have been on the minds of many when it comes to this provincial government and its attempts to allow MZOs to go against provincial planning. Many people have stood up to protect local areas from development and, in the cases of Stratford and Ajax-Pickering, have been successful in doing so. These local successes show that people power can make changes at a provincial level. When we fight, we win!


In this second edition of our monthly webinar, panelists from Ajax-Pickering join us to make connections between local efforts and their impact on provincial matters. Together we:
  • cover our conservation watch initiative to share what conservation authorities are doing in the face of Ford's actions against them
  • touch on provincial plans for the movement toward irreversible city sprawl, and Hamilton's success to combat that.
  • highlight the success of inter-regional solidarity between climate groups and individuals in the face of MZOs and proposed highways
  • focus on the success of Duffins Creek to show the power of citizens and municipal governments to affect change at the provincial level.


Keep your eyes peeled for more Conservation Matters webinars to come!

Conservation Matter Webinar 2 - Money doesn't talk, it screams, but we scream louder

3/30/2021

 
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Join us tomorrow for the second edition of our monthly webinar:
WHAT: Conservation Matters Webinar 2 – Money doesn't talk, it screams, but we scream louder.   We'll follow and give updates for actions locally and across our province.

​WHEN: Wed, March 31st at 7-8:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Register here to save your seat! https://mcmaster.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsfuirqjIrHNTax2ktwt_w-URDEitOQGiL

Webinar breakdown:
​When we fight we win against the Ford government attacks
Over the last month communities have continued to show that when we work together to stand up for environmental protections and community consultations, we win. With Stratford's success against Xinyi's MZO to guide us, individuals, grassroots organizations, indigenous nations and communities continue to rise up to oppose, and successfully stop, environmentally destructive developments.
Hear how residents of Ajax and Pickering, the William's Treaties First Nations, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) stopped the proposed development of an Amazon warehouse on Duffins Creek Wetland Complex.  This success was achieved despite both a provincial Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) and Ford government's attempted retroactive changes to Provincial law.


We’ll talk with folks involved in the campaign and share insights into their success.
Guests will include representatives from TRCA, Environmental Action Now Ajax-Pickering (EANAP), Ajax Regional Council, Pickering Youth, and Hamilton 350. 
​The news about this MZO is going in the right direction!


Provide updates about environmental news
We’ll also update you about recent environmental news in Hamilton and beyond, including sprawl, Nestlé's water bottling, a highway, and other relevant energy and climate reports.

Our opportunity to engage this movement in climate action both locally and at the provincial level continues to grow!
The responses to Ford's attack on Conservation Authorities is creating successful campaigns to protect the environment. Though Ford is trying to pass another bill to increase the power of MZOs, people power has successfully started the process to rescind issued MZOs. Let's continue to work to rescind section 6 of bill 229, and block bill 257. Help to return matters of conservation to Conservation Authorities. #conservationmatters

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Join Us!

Conservation Matters Webinar 1 - How to Win: Knocking Down a Pipeline and a Developer

3/30/2021

 

Video now available!


On March 3, Hamilton 350 held an online webinar to talk about the importance of working together to stop projects that are damaging to our climate and environment. We spoke with residents of Stratford for insight into their campaign against the proposed development of Xinyi's Glass Factory on prime agricultural land despite a provincial Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO). We also discussed the importance of restoring the ability of Conservation Authorities to protect our natural spaces. We have started a Conservation Watch program to keep people informed of Conservation Authorities efforts to protect our climate and environment. Watch this event and then keep your eyes peeled for more Conservation Matters webinars to come!


Provincial Obstacles to Climate Action

2/17/2021

 
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Hamilton 350 is a climate action group guided by the necessity to stop global climate change. We look for the best ways for us to contribute to that goal. A strong argument can be made that the level of government that is the main obstacle to climate action in Hamilton is the same as in the rest of Ontario – the current provincial government.

The federal government is usually identified as the make or break climate decision-maker, but Canada is a federation where provincial governments wield a great deal of power. For example, Alberta pressure is a major reason the feds purchased and are expanding the Trans Mountain pipeline project. Pipelines inside Ontario like the recently withdrawn fracked gas one across the Beverly Swamp fall under provincial jurisdiction (specifically the Ontario Energy Board) whose policies are decided by the provincial government (hence climate change is not part of the OEB mandate). The rules governing endangered species, wetlands, forest protection, and wildlife habitat are provincial (or in some cases federal). The recent gutting of the Conservation Authorities is a clear case in point.

Legally and in many practical ways, cities are “children of the province”. The building code needs to be modernized to require net zero construction, but that code is set by the province, not the city. Facilitation of sprawl development (Ontario’s tar sands) is now clearly being driven by provincial growth policies and under Ford it is actually being dictated by the province. Most transportation emissions in our area are from travel between cities because nearly 40 percent of the Hamilton workforce is employed outside the city. That makes effective emission-limiting policies difficult for Hamilton to put in place.

So fighting climate change in Hamilton necessarily requires overcoming provincial obstacles.
The provincial attack on the Conservation Authorities touched a public nerve and resulted in a very large wave of opposition. Over 45,000 emails were sent in opposing the changes, and in late January over 1200 people attended a webinar on next steps in this fight (which is far from over – see: https://hamiltoncatch.org/articles/2021/01/18/conservation-authorities-battle-far-from-over.) Hamilton 350 and other climate groups have an opportunity to further engage this movement in climate action both locally and at the provincial level.

The fight for a safe climate cannot be separated from the fight for a healthy natural environment. The Conservation Authorities reflect an early recognition of our dependence on the health of the environment and our interconnectedness with the watersheds in which we live. The Hamilton Conservation Authority owns over 11,000 acres of mostly forested natural areas – far more than the city government – and the activities on those lands are much more sustainable (far more beneficial to non-human species) compared to city parklands which are overwhelmingly sports facilities and make very little contribution to climate or environmental stability.

The attack on the Conservation Authorities is part of a very damaging campaign by the current provincial government that started with eliminating the office of the environmental commissioner, ripping up the existing Ontario climate plans, and blocking green energy projects (even tearing down windmills in one location). In our area and other parts of the province, the Ford government is eagerly continuing colonial policies and seeking to criminalize Indigenous people and their allies (the attacks on the defenders of 1492 Land Back Lane are one example). In addition, the Ford government has essentially destroyed the environmental assessment process (put in place in 1969); is pushing ahead with major new highways (413 and Bradford Bypass) without assessments; and advancing enormous mining projects (Ring of Fire). It has ripped up provincial growth plans aimed at reducing urban sprawl and replaced them with pro-sprawl directives. In Hamilton this translates into plans to consume all the remaining farmland not protected by the Greenbelt and cover it with residential subdivisions. The Ford government has been issuing Ministerial Zoning Orders about once a week to override rules that restrict or limit environmental damage by developers. It has crippled the provincial Endangered Species legislation with ‘pay to slay’ rules that replace protection of wildlife habitat with the option of paying a fee to destroy them. And it has openly declared that Ontario ‘has already made sufficient contribution’ to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The resignation of most of the Greenbelt Council shows they understand that this government is also an enemy of the Greenbelt.
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