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]
February 22, 2021
Media Coverage
The Beacon Herald - Glass plant opponents say key details omitted from planning report
CTV News - Cancelled glass plant in Stratford would have brought hundreds of jobs, mayor says
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.
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.
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!"⤵️
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. ⤵️
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.
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.
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.
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.