In defence of our community and our council
Response to Chris Pidgeon, GSP and Xinyi
January 15, 2021
A statement from Wise Communities founder Loreena McKennitt, in response to January 15 remarks to the media from GSP Group’s Chris Pidgeon.
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The Latest
Decision on controversial Stratford glass plant delayed by lockdown, city says
January 14, 2021 - Chris Montanini - The Beacon Herald
A controversial proposal to build a $400 million glass plant in southwest Stratford is still on hold, for now.
The City of Stratford
"UPDATE (Jan. 13, 2021):
The City of Stratford continues to receive feedback on the proposed development and cost sharing agreement with Xinyi Canada Glass Limited.
However, given the ongoing Provincial lockdown and subsequent Provincial emergency stay-at-home order, City Council will not be making a decision on the proposal at this time. The focus on the health and safety of our citizens is our top priority.
The City will provide appropriate notice to the public when the matter is being brought forward."
Posted January 14 at 11:10 AM
Rally #6
With the provincewide shutdown and the limitations to outdoor organized public events, Wise Communities Stratford presented Rally #6 virtually. It was live-streamed from Stratford's Market Square with host Loreena McKennitt (Wise Communities), Mike Sullivan (Get Concerned Stratford), Anne Carbert (Climate Momentum) and youth speaker Effie Honeywell.
Get Concerned Stratford
Community Meeting - January 7
January 9, 2020 - Get Concerned Stratford
"Hear updates from the Get Concerned team, an enlightening presentation by lawyer David Donnelly, comments from the Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson, and different actions you can take to ensure Town Council says No to Xinyi and the MZO!"⤵️
Former First Nations chief speak out against proposed glass factory
Dec. 21, 2020 - The Beacon Herald - Galen Simmons
Leslee White-Eye, a former chief of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, and Perth County Federation of Agriculture vice president Sara Wood spoke at a rally behind city hall Monday against the proposed $400-million float-glass manufacturing facility.
Get Concerned Stratford
Community Meeting - December 16
Dec 18, 2020 - Get Concerned Stratford
Hear the latest updates from Get Concerned Stratford's No Xinyi, No MZO campaign, including the Stratford poll results, air quality information, and a presentation contextualizing the use of MZOs province-wide. ⤵️
Stratford activist group alleges Chinese glass maker Xinyi is national security threat
Dec 15, 2020 - CBC News - Colin Butler
A Stratford, Ont., citizens' group is demanding the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology conduct a review of glassmaker Xinyi Canada, alleging the Chinese-owned company behind a proposal to build a float glass factory in the community is a threat to national security.
VIA Press Progress (pressprogress.ca)
‘I wish I could say it’s my idea, but it was their idea as well,’ Ford told Ontario PC gathering
David Crombie's address at Wise Communities Rally #4
December 14, 2020
via telephone from Toronto, Ontario
open letter
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
DEC 14, 2020 - Mr. Patrick O’Rourke and Ms. Loreena McKennitt
It outlines concerns over a proposed foreign company setting up operation in the City of Stratford, who are quickly working their way through the process, with little or no oversight. The company Xinyi, may be in conflict with the Investment Canada Act. Further, it appears that many aspects of the company could contravene the national security of Canada.
As angry protests continue over Chinese glass factory, Stratford's mayor voices his regrets
DEC 8, 2020 - Colin Butler · CBC News
Stratford has complete authority to deny Xinyi proposal
DEC 3, 2020 - David Donnelly (via Get Concerned Stratford)
It is the ’unequivocal opinion’ of environmental lawyer David Donnelly that ”Stratford Council has the complete authority without legal liability to deny Xinyi’s proposal for a $6 million cost sharing agreement.” Donnelly, one of Canada’s leading environmental lawyers, stated this in a letter to Mayor Dan Mathieson and Stratford Council on behalf of Wellington Water Watchers and a number of citizens of the City of Stratford.
Stratford musician pushes for answers about glass factory discussion
NOV 27, 2020 - Chris Montanini - The Beacon Herald
A controversial proposal to build a float glass manufacturing facility in southwest Stratford continued to raise concerns from residents this week, including prominent Canadian musician Loreena McKennitt and local lawyer Paul Parlee.
Restrictive zoning order ties Stratford's hands: Mathieson
NOV 23, 2020 - Chris Montanini - The Beacon Herald
Minister's Zoning Order limits permitted uses of Stratford site to glass manufacturing
see below Letters
Loreena McKennitt
Speeches & Remarks
Rally #6 Remarks (PDF)
Jan 11, 2021
Dec 21, 2020
Dec 14, 2020
Dec 7, 2020
Nov 30, 2020
Nov 23, 2020
Nov 22, 2020
Loreena McKennitt CM, OM, CD
is a member of The Order of Canada and Order of Manitoba, She is The Honorary Colonel of The Royal Canadian Air Force and the Director of The Falstaff Family Centre in Stratford.
Stratford Mayor
to The Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Correspondence between Stratford Mayor and The Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing from 2018 to 2020, as uncovered by The Beacon Herald in their November 23, 2020 article above.
November 20, 2018
Stratford Mayor to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing requesting an MZO. The letter states that the City of Stratford, County of Perth and Township of Perth South, has secured an agreement in principle with Xinyi Glass Canada to build that company’s first manufacturing facility in North America.
March 11, 2020
The letter informs the Minister that the City of Stratford and two municipalities have approved the proposed annexation of lands from Perth South into the City of Stratford. The letter from the Mayor informs the Minister that the requested MZO is “critical in order to meet key construction deadlines, as Xinyi expects to break ground in Spring 2020”.
April 16, 2020
It is clear that the MZO requested by the Mayor in his November 20, 2018 and March 11, 2020 letters were denied. This letter is an appeal from the Mayor, requesting the Minister to reconsider the position taken to refuse the issuance of a MZO. This letter requests a MZO specifically and solely for the lands proposed to be used by Xinyi to construct and operate its glass manufacturing plant [111.17 hectares of 130 hectares annexed].
Letters
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
An open letter from Mr. Patrick O’Rourke and Ms. Loreena McKennitt
December 14, 2020
The Minority is Often Vocal, But it is Often Right
Tori Sutton - An Open Letter to Stratford City Council Re: Xinyi Glass Holdings
December 12, 2020
It is our unequivocal opinion that Stratford Council has the complete authority without legal liability to deny Xinyi’s proposal for a $6 million Cost Sharing Agreement
Get Concerned Stratford: Environmental lawyer David Donnelly has written a letter to City Council
December 3, 2020
Stratford musician pushes for answers about glass factory discussion
Loreena McKennitt and former City Solicitor Paul Parlee write to Stratford Mayor and Council
November 26, 2020
Former City Solicitor Paul Parlee writes to Stratford Mayor and Council
November 23, 2020
Perth-Wellington MP John Nater writes Stratford Mayor, Council and Constituents
November 16, 2020
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture writes to Minister Clark regarding Stratford and Perth MZO
August 10, 2020
What is an MZO?
A Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) is part of Ontario's Planning Act and allows the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to make a ruling on how a piece of land is to be used in the province, with no public consultation required and only amended or revoked at the minister's discretion.
TVO.org speaks with Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark
July 10, 2020
Excerpt: "For now, we’re quite happy with the dozen or so I’ve done, that have been driven by a local council decision in a public council meeting before it comes to my desk. That makes sure the public is aware there is a request, it communicates there is a priority of a council, and then it’s up to us to decide whether we want to move forward."
MZOs In The News
THE TORONTO STAR - THE STAR EDITORIAL BOARD
November 29, 2020
Once again, the Ford government is putting developers ahead of Ontario’s environment
THE TORONTO STAR - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
November 25, 2020
Why is Ontario letting developers do what they want to the environment?
THE BEACON HERALD - CHRIS MONTANINI
November 23, 2020
Restrictive zoning order ties Stratford's hands: Mathieson
ORILLIA MATTERS – ANDREW PHILIPS
November 21, 2020
MZO 'a weapon of mass destruction in the planning world,' critics say
THE TORONTO STAR - NOOR JAVED
November 4, 2020
Greenbelt adviser quits over fast-tracking of Durham wetlands development by Doug Ford’s government
AJAX65
October 20, 2020
Save the Duffins Creek Wetland
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE
August 28, 2020
You may have never heard of a Minister’s Zoning Order and that used to be ok – but not anymore
ONTARIO FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
August 10, 2020
Letter to Minister Clark
Take Action
SIGN THE PETITION
The local community group Get Concerned Stratford has created an online petition which we invite you to sign and share with friends and family. READ MORE / SIGN
CONTACT THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, MPP and MP
Stratford Mayor and Council
Mayor Dan Mathieson
519-271-0250 x5234
Councillor Brad Beatty
519-271-0250 x5245
Councillor Graham Bunting
519-271-0250 x5363
Councillor Jo-Dee Burbach
519-271-0250 x5428
Councillor Tom Clifford
519-271-0250 x5421
Councillor David Gaffney
519-271-0250 x5427
Councillor Bonnie Henderson
519-271-0250 x5420
Councillor Danielle Ingram
519-271-0250 x5424
Councillor Martin Ritsma
519-271-0250 x5422
Councillor Cody Sebben
519-271-0250 x5426
Councillor Kathy Vassilakos
519-271-0250 x5423
MP & MPP
Hon. John Nater
Peth-Wellington MP
519-273-1400
Hon. Randy Pettapiece
Perth-Wellington MPP
519-272-0660
Media Coverage
Jan 15, 2021 - CBC News - Xinyi calls opposition 'prejudiced' as Stratford city hall suspends factory decision
Jan 14, 2021 - The Beacon Herald - Decision on controversial Stratford glass plant delayed by lockdown, city says
Jan 13, 2021 - CTV News Kitchener - Proposed Xinyi glass plant in Stratford put on pause
Jan 12, 2021 - The Beacon Herald - Letter to the Editor: Xinyi opposition strikes a nerve
Jan 6, 2021 - The Beacon Herald - Letter to the Editor: Does Stratford need a glass factory?
Jan 3, 2021 - The Beacon Herald - Year in review Stratford Mayor
Dec 24, 2020 - The Beacon Herald - A few good lawns
Dec 21, 2020 - The Beacon Herald - Former First Nations chief speak out against proposed glass factory
Dec 16, 2020 - RCI - ‘National security’ claim added to opposition to Chinese glass plant in Ontario
Dec 15, 2020 - CBC News - Stratford activist group alleges Chinese glass maker Xinyi is national security threat
Dec 14, 2020 – The Beacon Herald - Cost-Sharing Agreement for Controversial Glass Factory Delayed Again
Dec 13, 2020 - My Stratford Now - Fourth public rally to be held over proposed glass plant
Dec 11, 2020 - The Beacon Herald - Former Toronto mayor to speak at public rally opposing glass factory in Stratford
Dec 10, 2020 - The Beacon Herald - Citizens' group launches complaint based on City of Stratford's handling of proposed Xinyi glass plant
Dec 8, 2020 - CTV News Kitchener – Group against proposed Stratford glass plant hold virtual meeting
Dec 8, 2020- The Beacon Herald - Protests Continue
Dec 8, 2020 – CBC News London - As angry protests continue over Chinese glass factory, Stratford's mayor voices his regrets
Dec 7, 2020 – CTV News Kitchener - Glass factory protest coming to Stratford City Hall once again
Dec 4, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Ontario New Democrats raising concerns about proposed Stratford glass plant
Dec 3, 2020 – My Stratford Now - Stratford City Council holding special meetings over proposed glass plant
Dec 2, 2020 – My Stratford Now - Xinyi Canada Glass hosting second public information session
Nov 30, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Xinyi Canada Glass announces second public information session.
Nov 27, 2020 - The Beacon Herald - Stratford musician pushes for answers about glass factory discussions
Nov 26, 2020 – Kitchener Record - Glass factory aims to land in Stratford
Nov 26, 2020– CBC News - Stratford mayor, province accused of 'undemocratic' tactics in glass factory proposal
Nov 26, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Special: Declan Kelly - More factors must be considered before Xinyi vote
Nov 26, 2020 – Yahoo! News - Glass factory aims to land in Stratford
Nov 25, 2020 - The Beacon Herald - Restrictive zoning order ties Stratford's hands: Mathieson
Nov 25, 2020 – Kitchener Today – Stratford residents raise concern over proposed float glass factory, environmental impact
Nov 24, 2020 – CBC International – Opposition mounts against Chinese glass plant in Ontario town
Nov 23, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Restrictive zoning order ties Stratford's hands: Mathieson (see also MZO above)
Nov 23, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Stratford residents protest proposed glass plant
Nov 23, 2020 – CTV News Kitchener - Stratford residents speak out against proposed million-square-foot glass plant
Nov 20, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – A fiasco
Nov 17, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Stratford councillors defer infrastructure agreement with Xinyi Canada Glass
Nov 16, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Stratford residents push back against proposed glass-making plant
Nov 15, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Representatives of Xinyi Canada Glass answer questions ahead of council discussion Tuesday
Nov 13, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Does Stratford need a glass factory?
Nov 13, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Details emerge about proposed glass-manufacturing plant
Nov 11, 2020 – Green Stratford BLOG - What we know about the Xinyi glass plant
Nov 3, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Glass maker sets date for public meeting about potential $400M Stratford plant
Oct 29, 2020 – The Beacon Herald – Chinese glass manufacturer selects Stratford for its first Canadian manufacturing facility
Jan 17, 2020 - The Beacon Herald - Proposed boundary adjustments could add roughly 130 hectares to Stratford's depleted stock of industrial land
Jan 4, 2020 - The London Free Press - Glass maker struggles to find home in region for 400-job factory
Jan 3, 2019 – The Beacon Herald – Xinyi Glass looking at Stratford as one of several possible locations for North-American Plant
Nov 27, 2017 – Canadian Press - Ontario premier's trade mission to China has secured more than $1B in agreements so far