A citizen’s guide to resources in making environmental views known

April 30, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons

Concerned Citizens of King Township and the King Weekly Sentinel have received many inquiries following the successful April 9 environmental forum. Residents are eager to follow up and let their views be known, but lacked a comprehensive list of contacts.
The CCKT and King Weekly Sentinel put the following together to help residents and groups.
May environmental groups are coalitions representing many smaller regional and local organizations. They are advocating for the 2015 plan reviews right now.
Locally, there is of course CCKT. Visit CCKT.ca or email contact2014@cckt.ca and register for regular email updates.
Contact the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance (GBA) by visiting GreenbeltAlliance.ca.
You can reach the Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment (CONE): at NiagaraEscarpment.org.
Save The Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM): StormCoalition.org.
There’s also the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation – MoraineForLife.org, email support@ormf.com, or call 289-279-5733. The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust deals in assembling protected lands – OakRidgesMoraine.org ; email them at landtrust@oakridgesmoraine.org or call 905-833-3171.
Environmental Defence is another solid resource at EnvironmentalDefence.ca or by calling 877-399-2333.
The Greenbelt Foundation is at Greenbelt.ca. Call them at 416-960-0001.
Your municipal councillors and Mayor in King are a valuable local resource. Call the Township or email your politicians by visiting the website king.ca.
This is an election year. Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller suggested we all pin our candidates down for their support, so when you see them out campaigning, stop them and ask. You can find the list of candidates at King.ca/Government/2014 Election.
King’s COA Susan Plamondon may also be helpful and has many connections. Contact her at splamondon@king.ca, 905-833-5321 ext. 4015.
Similarly, York Region’s CAO coordinates regional input into the environmental plans. Visit york.ca.
The MPPs serving King Township and its residents are the next stop and should be aware of the upcoming plan reviews.
They are:
Oak Ridges-Markham MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek (Oak Ridges-Markham): hjaczek.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org, 866-531-9551.
York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro, julia.munro@pc.ola.org , 905-895-1555.
For those outside of the ridings serving King, visit hfttp://www.ontla.on.ca/lao/en/getting-involved/contact-an-mpp/
For provincial ministry informatin visit http://www.infogo.gov.on.ca/infogo.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt Plan: www.mah.gov.on.ca tel: 416-585-7041 fax: 416-585-6470. Minister Bill Mauro, bmauro.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org, 807-623-9237.
Ministry of the Environment, York-Durham district office in Ajax, 800-376-4547.
To find other offices, visit www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/ministry-environment-regional-and-district-offices.
Contact Environment Minister Jim Bradley, jbradley.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org, 416-314-6790.
The Ministry of Infrastructure handles Places to Grow. You can call them at 888-668-4636. Try Minister Glen Murray, gmurray.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org , 416-972-7683.
Niagara Escarpment Commission can be accessed at escarpment.org, 905-877-5191.
The conservation authorities are also a good resource.
For the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, call 800-465-0437.
For the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority visit TRCA.on.ca, email info@trca.on.ca or call 416-661-6600.