Don't interfere with Waterloo region's plans for growth, demonstrators tell province

Local environmental advocates and community members say they're worried Waterloo region could be forced to expand its urban boundaries because of Bill 23.

Kevin Thomason, vice-chair of the Grand River Environmental Network, points to November 2022, when the City of Hamilton was ordered by the Ontario government to expand its urban boundary.

Before the province ordered Hamilton to expand, the city had already considered and rejected a massive expansion of its urban boundary to make way for homes. In 2021, council voted against the staff proposal, instead choosing to build within its current boundary.

Thomason said the region has made strides to build in the core areas like uptown Waterloo and downtown Kitchener and has committed to protecting the countryside line.

"If the premier comes and forces all kinds of suburban sprawl on our community, that's going to take away from the incredible momentum we've seen already," he said.

"We've been incredibly lucky to see a ton of economic success as we're seeing high tech companies, manufacturing companies, leading companies around the world liking what they're seeing in Waterloo region and coming here to be part of our community. I don't think they're coming for our urban sprawl."

Thomason was speaking at a rally Sunday near the Inn of Waterloo against urban sprawl and the province's More Homes Built Faster Act, commonly called Bill 23.

Lyndsay Dajka is a youth advocate with the Nith Valley Ecoboosters and said the Region of Waterloo's most recent Official Plan — a document regional staff and council use to make decisions for planning purposes — focused on "monumental change" that focuses on intensifying cities and protecting farmland.

"That's going to ensure a really good future for the future of Waterloo region," Dajka said.

"When I grow up as an adult, that's going to be what I'll be living with, whereas Bill 23, it destroys a lot of the great progress that the region has made and the future I see with Bill 23 really isn't good."

Region's growth plan needs provincial approval

The region's official plan is meant to guide its growth through to 2041. The regional official plan was approved on Aug. 18 and is currently with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval.

A spokesperson for the region said the plan will require 150 hectares for community area growth and 456 hectares for employment area growth by 2051. This would take place primarily in the City of Cambridge and the four townships.

In an email statement to CBC Kitchener-Waterloo, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said officials are "carefully reviewing the region's Official Plan to ensure it best serves the long-term interests of Ontarians."

The region will be notified once the review is complete.