For immediate release
May 2, 2025
QUEEN’S PARK—Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady this week stood to question Premier Ford about the reckless proposal by Empire Homes to establish a city of 40,000 at the Nanticoke Industrial Park. The industrial park in Haldimand county is one of the largest of its kind in Ontario with Stelco and Imperial Oil as the biggest tenants. The park was also home to North America’s largest coal plant prior to being shuttered in 2013.
“Prior to the Christmas break I asked then Minister of Municipal Affairs whether the application for a MZO (Minister’s Zoning Order) had come across his desk – the answer was no,” said Brady. “Recently, I learned Empire Homes applied for the MZO in September 2024. As I knocked on doors this winter, the people of Haldimand and Norfolk asked the same question: Where does the MZO sit? It has not hit the Environmental Registry…Can the people of Haldimand-Norfolk please receive an update on the status of the MZO?”
Brady reminded the Chamber during the election she heard the riding favours an energy project at the industrial park over people for many reasons including good paying jobs, which relates to provincially significant employment zones, a good concept the Ford government sidestepped with Bill 97.
She also pointed out that six elections locally have now been fought and won on saying no to the MZO. Haldimand County’s mayor and the community have been clear they don’t want it. Four councillors said yes. Ironically, these same councillors also support an energy project at Nanticoke – locals know that power and people cannot coexist, especially in an industrial park and they are aware Ontario’s electricity demand will grow by 75 per cent by 2050.
“Speaker, through you to the premier once again, will this government say no to Empire Homes and the MZO in favour of meeting the province’s electricity demand and creating good paying jobs in an industrial park?” Brady asked.
The Minister of Municipal of Affairs and Housing Rob Flack responded by deking around the questions with the standard PC Party response regarding the housing crisis, but he also mentioned transparency and local consultation with the people of Haldimand County. Brady takes hope the Minister does consult with a true cross section of the community and learns how much this proposal is unwanted.
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For more information, contact MPP Bobbi Ann Brady at [email protected] or 519-428-0446