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Photo Credit: Stefania Galluccio @mystoo
924 - 11/25/2020 7:57:34 AM  

Opposition Growing to Xinyi Glass Factory Proposal

Get Concerned Stratford to hold community meeting online Dec. 8th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - NOV 25, 2020
 
On December 8, Get Concerned Stratford will hold an open Zoom public meeting at 7pm regarding the Xinyi Glass Factory proposed for Stratford.  

“Community opposition forced Council to defer its vote on the proposed cost-sharing agreement and, we feel it is time to invite council to an open citizens forum to hear everyone’s concerns” stated Melissa Verspeeten spokesperson for Get Concerned Stratford.

The public meeting will be an opportunity for the group to raise awareness of the issues surrounding the proposed development and consider a plan of action. Mayor Dan Mathieson and all members of Council are invited to attend to listen to concerns of community residents.

More than 900 people have signed Get Concerned Stratford’s petition in the last 5 days demanding that “The City of Stratford refuse to participate in the process of converting prime agricultural land into industrial land; refuse to commit to any agreements with the proponents including development agreements and site plan agreements, and  demand that the province revoke the Ministerial Zoning Order.

“This kind of heavy industry should be located in a community where there is a ‘brownfield’ site and surface water can be used” added Sharon Collingwood of Stratford “it makes no sense to convert prime agricultural land into industrial land, and extract millions of litres of water each year from the aquifer.”

Guest speakers will include Susan McSherry, and environmental lawyer David Donnelly who together, with the support of the Wellington Water Watchers led the successful fight in 2018 to stop the Xinyi plant proposed for Guelph/Eramosa Township. Winnie Ng, chairperson of the Toronto Association for Democracy in China will also be a speaker.

“The Xinyi MZO raises just as many legal questions as it answers” in the opinion of environmental lawyer David Donnelly  "but one thing that cannot be cured by a secret deal with Xinyi is the immorality of proceeding with this company without public consultation.” 

The proposed Xinyi Glass Plant would be built on 170 acres in the southern end of the City. 

This land was quickly rezoned from prime agricultural status to industrial land by a Ministerial Zoning Order specifying it could only be used for a glass factory. 

Municipal water consumption by the proposed operation will increase Stratford’s total consumption by more than 25%. The draft environmental reports, currently being studied by Stratford council to approve this project, currently do not include a CO2 Emissions study.

Go to Get Concerned Stratford to RSVP for the community zoom meeting and to sign the petition.

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About Get Concerned Stratford - We are a citizens group who oppose the Minister’s Zoning Order which has been issued by the Ontario provincial government to convert prime agricultural land into industrial land.

About Wellington Water Watchers - Founded in 2007, Wellington Water Watchers (WWW) is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization based in Guelph, Ontario, with a focus on the Grand River watershed. 


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