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News Archive

City of Stratford’s request to revoke Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO)

LETTERS: PERTH WELLINGTON MPP RANDY PETTAPIECE to HON. STEVE CLARK, MINISTER OF MUNICPAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING

March 9, 2021 - The Beacon Herald - Galen Simmons

Stratford council voted 9-2 Monday to request the repeal of a ministerial zoning order that paved the way for Xinyi Canada Glass' controversial proposal for a $400-million float-glass plant at Stratford's south end.

Guelph paper publishes lawyer’s letter to city council

February 4, 2021

Media attention on the Xinyi glass factory controversy continues. The Guelph Bugle published a piece on Feb. 1st about Get Concerned Stratford’s latest undertaking, which was to have their lawyer David Donnelly write a letter to Stratford’s mayor and city council outlining the minimum standards expected to be adopted by the city before any vote is taken on the Xinyi proposal. The group is also demanding a full and proper public consultation on the project. [Guelph Bugle Story]

Contributing to a healthy democracy

March 2, 2021 - The Beacon Herald - Letters to The Editor - Loreena McKennitt

In an era when our democracies are under attack by fake news and disinformation which emanate from these large tech companies, we are encouraged to defend our democracies at home by supporting our local and broader media outlets which are held accountable by national regulators

Letter writer sends harsh criticism to minister on MZO process

February 4, 2021

An environmental professional with ties to Stratford has shared the letter he wrote to Minister Clark strongly opposing the undemocratic changes to the way MZOs are issued. “A float glass manufacturing facility of this magnitude is a regionally significant project which merits the widest, most comprehensive land use assessment, with full public outreach and involvement, especially when the facility is highly complex, energy intensive, and is intended to maintain continuous peak operation for years,” he writes. The letter, by John Hendrix, was sent to the minister in response to his invitation for public comments on MZOs by a Jan. 31st deadline.

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Minister Clark MZO Letter

January 21, 2021

Wise Communities has sent the following open letter to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark.

In defence of our community

January 21, 2021

Response and statement from Wise Communities' founder Loreena McKennitt, to remarks made by GSP Group’s Chris Pidgeon to the media.

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Have your say on MZOs

January 21, 2021

Ministry deadline for comments January 31st, 2021
Speak up for the environment and democracy!

NOW CLOSED

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.

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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!"⤵️

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Loreena McKennitt Rally #5 Remarks

Dec. 21, 2020 - Loreena McKennitt

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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. ⤵️

Loreena McKennitt
Rally #4 Remarks

Dec 14, 2020 - Loreena McKennitt

News Archive: Text

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

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.

News Archive: Text
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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

News Archive: Text

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.

News Archive: Text

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.

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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

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