Take Action Now – Waterloo Region Climate Collaborative

Check our Events Page for more ways to Get Involved or Take Action

There are three provincial and federal bills that challenge and dismantle environmental protections, the Ontario government’s Bill 5, 56 and 17, also the Canadian government’s Bill C5.
See below for information, actions, and media coverage on these bills.

Protect Green Development Standards

Ford is trying to quash climate action, yet again. His government just introduced a new housing bill that attempts to kill local green building policies.
If Bill 98 passes, new homes will increase Ontario’s pollution and be more expensive to heat and cool. Ford thinks he can get away with this. But if we show we’re onto him, we can get him to back down.

Please take a moment to tell Ford, the Minister of Housing Rob Flack, and your MPP to stop dismantling climate policies!

As provincial climate action has been rolled back by Doug Ford, Ontario municipalities have stepped up with Green Development Standards to build healthier, more efficient communities. Bill 98 would strip away these local efforts, preventing cities from continuing to lead on climate solutions.

Please take one minute to send an email to provincial officials telling them to back off on community climate efforts!

Protect Nature

Keep The Orcas Safe – Support the 1,000 m Rule!
Southern Resident killer whales are struggling to survive. By backing these science-led vessel distance rules, we can ensure they have the quiet waters they need to hunt and recover.
Send your support to the Canadian government to help ensure the regulations are effective, practical, and aligned with recovery efforts.

Tell City Hall to restore parkland zoning to former Kortright Waterfowl Park lands:
Send a message to Guelph City Hall

Conservation Authority Re-Organization And Destruction:
Concerns continue as more is learned about the surprise provincial government announcement to reduce 36 Conservation Authorities to just 7. Mapping shows the Grand River Conservation Authority being combined with other Conservation Authorities stretching all the way to Windsor. Share your concerns with the Ontario government
Speak up on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) before December 22nd

Speak up for nature:
Budget 2025 did not make the necessary investments to build an east-west clean electricity grid. Moreover, the budget did not commit any new funding for nature protection and restoration or for Canada’s Chemicals Management Program. Current funding for these programs will run out in spring.
Send a message to your MP and Canada’s finance minister to highlight these gaps! It’s not too late for Canada to re-invest in clean electricity, nature and healthy environments!

Protect Old Growth in B.C:
The RCMP Critical Response Unit (CRU-BC) raided the forest protectors’ Cougar Camp in the Upper Walbran, which has been stopping logging in some of the last old growth forests left in B.C.
You can help by sending a letter to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Krieger, Premier of B.C. Eby, and Minister of Forests Parmar to hold them accountable and tell them to stop sending police to arrest the people that are protecting the old growth forests that they failed to.

Protect Western Hudson Bay:
Call for a National Marine Conservation Area to protect area from increased shipping.
Tell Minister Julie Aviva Dabrusin to work with the town of Churchill and local Indigenous Nations to explore making the Western Hudson Bay NMCA a reality.

Stop the Pipeline MOU Before It Goes Any Further:
Call PM Carney to let him know you won’t stand for a new pipeline.

Water protection

Keep Water public: Tell your MPP to repeal Bill 60 to keep water systems public.

Environmental Defence has launched a province-wide campaign to stop water-taking permits in Waterloo Region.
Send a letter with one-click to the provincial government.

The Water Watchers have launched a campaign to urge the province to suspend new or renewed water-taking permits until better provincial processes and safeguards can be implemented including mandatory public consultation, First Nations engagement, cumulative impact assessments, and meaningful municipal oversight in water allocation.
Join the campaign and sign a one click letter to the provincial government

Defend Our Conservation Authorities

Kudos to Ontario Nature (who was instrumental in the creation of Conservation Authorities in the 1940’s) for these tools to help keep the pressure on the provincial government to not proceed with the consolidation of 36 Conservation Authorities to just 7.

Actions:
Take this survey to provide feedback to our Conservation Authority.
Action Alert letter to contact elected officials and be sure to make it unique for maximum impact.
Call your local MPP using these resources and talking points, then use the attached form to report back how your call went.
Here’s expert talking points and information that you can use to draft a short e-mail or letter to elected officials.

Region of Waterloo – Municipal Official Plans

Municipalities in Waterloo Region have been drafting new official plans, that describe the long-term vision for how they will grow over the next 25 years. You can find documentation and provide your input and feedback on the EngageWR sites for each Municipality.

Share your thoughts via these online surveys:
Help write Kitchener’s new Official Plan. Share your voice. Shape our city.
Welcome to the Township of Wilmot’s public engagement platform. We want to hear from you! Township of Wellesley Official Plan

Pre-Budget Consultation

Have your say on the provincial budget
Complete the online budget survey or send a written submission to the Ministry of Finance by January 30, 2026.

Stop supporting oil and gas

2024 was the hottest year on record for our planet. Science shows that climate change — fuelled by burning coal, oil, and gas — is making wildfires bigger, hotter, and more frequent, creating what experts call “supercharged” wildfire seasons. Here are four things your MP can do to build firebreaks for the climate emergency:
Implement a strong, loophole-free cap on oil and gas emissions
Stop approving new fossil fuel projects
Ban thermal coal exports immediately
Regulate our financial industry to stop billions pouring into oil, gas, and coal developments
• Tell your MP to stop fuelling wildfires
• Tell Mark Carney to uphold the tanker ban and protect the B.C. coast

Carney is using Trump’s threats as an excuse to grant Big Oil everything on their wish list.
Let’s stand together to reject this toxic pipe dream and demand a livable future.
• Letter to Mark Carney

Support Renewable Energy

Pledge to support community-led renewable energy and tell Carney to do the same!
A 100% renewable energy economy in Canada is possible and is a much better investment in terms of jobs and the economy than oil and gas. Communities often take the lead (here’s how) in building up renewable energy. But the Federal Government must support them in their efforts rather than wasting public money on oil and gas projects that have no economic future. Pledge to encourage community-led renewable energy where you live and pledge to talk to others (here’s how) in your community about renewables.
• Sign a pledge

Transition to clean energy
• Join the Fossil Fuel Treaty

Canada must lead the fight against methane pollution.
• Petition

Keep the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard
• For more information and to send a letter to your MP

Support a renewable electricity for Ontario
• Speak up and add your voice to their campaign and one-click letter HERE

Tell the Federal and Provincial Governments to Support Clean, Renewable Energy
• For more information and to send a letter to the government

Tell Premier Ford and our Opposition Leaders that we need to avoid skyrocketing electricity rates by moving away from high-risk nuclear
• For more information and to send a letter to the government

Stop skyrocketing nuclear energy rates:
• Tell Premier Ford and our Opposition Leaders that we need to avoid skyrocketing electricity rates by moving away from high-risk nuclear

Protect Huron Natural Area

The grassroots group Protect Huron Natural Area has formed in response to the recent approval by Kitchener City Council to allow development next to Huron Conservation Area and in the environmentally significant Hidden Valley.
The community has great concerns regarding the proposed developments surrounding Huron Natural Area. They are concerned that these developments will have significant negative impact on the ecosystems/wildlife in and around HNA.
The development plans of today conflict with the Region/City’s Official plan for the HNA park when it was established as a conservation area in 1994. In the official plan, under Planning for a Sustainable Community, part of the Vision Statement was/is: Environmental Integrity; Conservation of Wildlife and Plants as a #1 Priority!
Frank Glew (original member of the HNA steering committee and author of Samuel’s Most Important message) states “We need to remind City Council of the agreed, permanent, environmentally sustainable plan signed by all players. The city is accountable to the public.”

Please write to Kitchener City Council, ALL members, opposing the proposed Industrial development surrounding HNA! Access a prewritten letter here
Sign the petition here
Get more info here

SUGGEST CHANGING BY-LAWS TO SUPPORT BIODIVERSITY

Let nature-restricting by-laws be gone.
Throughout Canada, people are turning to habitat gardening as a tangible and hope-filled response to the greatest challenges of our time: biodiversity loss, climate change and humanity’s alienation from wild species.
But in some communities, outdated municipal bylaws and enforcement policies limit the potential of habitat gardens to positively transform our cities, towns and society.

Tell your local government to update its by-laws for biodiversity through the petition here.

KEY BILLS WE NEED TO ADDRESS:

Bill 5 (Provincial)

The Ford government has rammed through Bill 5 the “Protect Ontario By Unleashing Our Economy Act” proposed on the eve of the Good Friday holiday. It will not only create very concerning lawless Economic Zones at the government’s whim where no provincial rules will apply, it will also fully repeal Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the entire province that was once heralded as world-leading. The entire ESA will be replaced with far weaker regulations, gutting protections and allowing development to destroy habitat and restoration efforts.
Media are warning that Bill 5 will lead to an environmental “slaughterfest”, while First Nations are stating that their rights can’t simply be eliminated by the provincial government. Proposed changes to the Electricity Act would allow the government to direct Ontario’s energy agencies, like the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), to stop buying goods and services from certain countries, regions or territories (e.g. China). Energy advocates are warning that by arbitrarily banning Chinese components in energy projects this bill could effectively ban new solar and wind energy in Ontario.
Groups and organizations across the province are realizing the horrors and are coming together to fight this outrageous bill that overrides environmental laws, democratic processes, municipal planning, provincial laws, and personal rights to prioritize private company profits and give “Trusted Proponents” carte blanche to do and destroy whatever they want with no recourse. This is not in the best public interest to see so much power given to so few with no oversight or rules.
Whether a Bill has passed or not, we can still fight them. We have seen the Ford government make similar efforts to override existing environmental protections in this province with the Greenbelt scandal. Thankfully, the collective action of people in this province compelled them to reverse course on the Greenbelt legislation, and we intend to do the same with this bill. This fight is far from over.

Submit a One-Click Letter to the Government:
• David Suzuki Foundation
• NDP Repeal Bill 5 Campaign
• Green Party Campaign To Repeal Bill 5
• WaterWatchers – Tell The Senate – No Bill C-5
• Greenpeace – Carney’s Fast-Track Bill C-5 Needs To Go Back To The Drawing Board
• Council Of Canadians – Call Your Senator: Stop Bill C-5
• Order a Repeal Bill 5 lawn sign
• Tell Ontario Premier Doug Ford to Withdraw Bill 5
• Carney’s fast-track Bill C-5 needs to go back to the drawing board

David Suzuki Foundation — Reckless and chilling: Bill 5 is Doug Ford’s most dangerous legislation yet
David Suzuki Foundation — Environmental laws at risk as government moves to rush Bill C-5 through Parliament
CBC — Doug Ford’s Bill 5 Is Now Law In Ontario. Here’s What Happens Next
The Narwhal — First Nations Consultations Aren’t The Roadblock To Unleashing The Ring Of Fire
The Trillium — Indigenous Protestors Set Up Tent Occupation At Queens Park Over Bill 5
The Narwhal — The Premier Is Telling Untruths To First Nations — A Turbulent Week In Ontario Politics
Environmental Defence — Passage Of Bill 5 Deals A Grave Blow To The Rule Of Law And Endangered Species
Wildlands League, Toronto Zoo, CUPE, Ecojustice, Neskantaga First Nation, and Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Statement: Bill 5 Must Be Withdrawn
Charlie Angus — The Resistance: Diplomacy Ends Today
There is also a well moderated Facebook Group on Bill 5 that will keep you apprised on the latest pushback and developments related to Bill 5

Bill 17 (Provincial)

The Building Faster and Smarter Act was so rushed by the government it skipped all consultation and committee hearings. Most municipalities haven’t even had time to submit comments and Staff Reports are coming forward in Council Chambers across Ontario expressing serious concerns with this Bill that will gut Green Development Standards, expand undemocratic MZO powers, and negatively impacts almost every stage of development, planning, and once again cuts essential development charges municipalities depend on to provision growth.
The province released a very troubling directive to all municipalities claiming they have sole authority over municipal building laws and regulations in Ontario – contravening decades of actions and previous decisions/statements.

Local Waterloo NDP MPP Catherine Fife is planning on presenting a petition in the Legislature against Bill 17. You can download the petition here, and get people to sign it so that it can be presented to the Premier.
Call and email your MPP, or even visit them in person:
Current MPPs | Legislative Assembly of Ontario
(Put your postal code into this link and press search. Click on their name, and you will see their email address, phone number and constituency office address.)
Call the Premier’s Office: 416-325-194

Petition

Bill 17 Resource Hub – The Ontario Climate Caucus has created an outstanding website of Bill 17 resources learn everything that you need to know here
Bill 17 Gives More Profit To Developers While Risking Higher Bills And Environmental Damage For Homeowners And Communities
TAF — Bill 17 Can’t Stop The Momentum For Green Buildings
GuelphToday.com — Guelph Council Condemns Ford’s Bill 5 and Bill 17

Bill 56 (Provincial)

Clean Water Act Changes was introduced last week and will give the government more power to dictate rules around drinking water by taking power away from local committees and centralizing it in the provincial government. Experts are warning that it weakens many of the protections put in place after the Walkerton Water Tragedy: The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) states: The provincial government’s omnibus bill (Bill 56, Building A More Competitive Economy Act, 2025) passed Thursday after being rushed through the legislature. Fast-tracking the Bill with no referral to committee means there was no opportunity for the public to provide comments, appear as witnesses or suggest improvements. It also means that the government is not able to consider public comments on open consultations related to the Bill including two active postings currently on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. The postings with closing dates of November 19th and December 4th deal with proposed changes to the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Call and email your MP, or even visit them in person:

Find Members of Parliament – Members of Parliament – House of Commons of Canada
(Put your postal code into the search bar in this link and press search. Click on their name, click ‘contact,’ and you will see their email address, phone number and constituency office address.)

Send one-click letters via the following campaigns:

• Ecojustice
• Canadian Parks And Wilderness Society
• Environmental Defence

Leadnow — Senate: Don’t rubber-stamp Carney’s “Polluters First” Bill
Ecojustice — Your voice has power: Tell Senators to fix the Undemocratic Building Canada Act
WWF — We don’t need to destroy nature to Build Canada

Bill C-5 (Federal)

Very similar to Ontario’s very concerning Bill 5, this federal Bill C-5, Building Canada Act (BCA) gives sweeping power to the Prime Minister and Cabinet to exempt major projects from Canada’s most important federal health, safety, and environmental laws as well as Indigenous rights. Organizations across Canada are raising serious concerns.
According to the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), Bill C-5 would fast track projects and give the federal cabinet unfettered discretion to:
• Designate any major facility, resource-based activity, or infrastructure (i.e. nuclear facilities, pipelines, mines, etc.) as “national interest” projects,
• Automatically pre-approve these projects under federal environmental laws (i.e. Impact Assessment Act, Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, Canadian Navigable Waters Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, etc.) and could sidestep long-standing review and assessment requirements under these laws, and
• Make regulations which could exempt these projects from any applicable federal laws.
This Bill was just introduced for First Reading last week but could quickly be passed in the coming days, overriding democratic process, transparency, equity, and meaningful public and indigenous participation in decision-making.