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Peaceful Warriors protest local MZOs in Beeton and Tottenham

August 27, 2021   ·   0 Comments

The Peaceful Warriors of New Tecumseth have a new cause, which is again bringing them out to the streets in protest.

The group recently held protests against the building of the new Town Administration Centre.

Now the group is hoping to put a stop to the Minister’s Zoning Order that is scheduled to be in front of Town Council on September 27.

Woodington Lake withdrew their request on May 26, but brought it forward again in August.

The proposed development includes a mix of manufacturing and residential units.

The Peaceful Warriors say a Minister’s Zoning Order takes away the power of local residents when it comes to a say in development in the town.

They are also against an MZO that was approved for a development in Beeton.

Minister’s Zoning Orders were originally intended to allow the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs to make decisions in unincorporated areas that lack a sufficient population or municipal government.

A change in legislation now allows developers to seek the Orders anywhere across the province and allows them to go directly to the Ministry for approval and around regular municipal channels when seeking permission to build.

The Peaceful Warriors gathered on all four corners in downtown Tottenham on Sunday, August 22, to encourage residents to say “no” to the MZO.

“This is our first protest about this,” said group spokesperson Joe Feiner. “Mind you, all our signs have all had ‘no to the MZO’ all along. We want to reverse the one that was approved and championed by our Council in Beeton – then stop all other MZOs from even coming in front of council. The MZOs take all our rights away as a community. It’s not that we’re saying we stop growth – we know this township is going to grow, but don’t grow on our flood plains and green space. We already don’t have clean water. So, where’s this water going to come from for the 1000 home MZO in Beeton plus 1500 acres here that they want to develop into houses?”

The group said more protests are planned.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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