A warm and windy day in late July 2021 is a far cry from January of 2024, both in terms of weather conditions- AND changes in Provincial Government policy.
At issue is the current review of Ministerial Zoning Orders issued since 2018, and how that might affect the formally announced possibility of up to 600 industrial jobs slated for McNab-Braeside Township.
Present Housing Minister Paul Calandra has ordered a review of all of the MZOs his predecessor issued, and at risk are those potential jobs.
We take you back to July 30th, 2021. Steve Clark is then the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and our scene unfolds outside the Murray Yantha Community Centre on Russet Drive.
That’s Clark, commenting that his MZO for the Township had received unanimous support from all of the municipalities in the County of Renfrew, the Algonquins of Pikwaganan and MPP John Yakabuski.
The then-Minister says his override took pains to assure the environmental integrity of the affected acreage.
Steve Clark’s September 4th 2023 resignation as Housing Minister came as he took the fall for the Ford Government’s scheme to release Provincial Greenbelt lands for residential development- but in July of 2021, Clark was portraying himself as among the protected lands’ greatest champions.
Current Housing Minister Paul Calandra has ordered a review of all of the MZOs his predecessor issued, and at risk are those potential 600 jobs.
The public has until January 27th to comment. Go to Ontario’s Environmental Registry, and searching for McNab-Braeside O. Reg. 537/21 and McNab-Braeside O. Reg. 538/21 to register your opinion.
By Rick Stow