By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
A few weeks back the title of my column was “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” This week something is rotten in Haldimand County.
I’m a straight shooter, and from what I hear over 33,000 people voted for me on February 27th because they appreciate my honesty and integrity.
Let’s get to it: I was shocked by a March 27th Haldimand Press article regarding the status of the Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) for the proposed development at Nanticoke. The catalyst for the story was a question posed by Ward 6 Councillor at a Haldimand County Council in Committee (CIC) meeting March 18th. Uncanny timing.
Let’s consider two things. One, at the CIC meeting, senior staff revealed they were in receipt of proof that the application had been filed. Upon investigation, it appears that County staff were notified of the application to the MZO portal in September 2024. Secondly, once this information was revealed at the CIC meeting, the Ward 6 Councillor asked: “Is it no longer in our hands?”
I find that question suspicious given there are two county by-elections occurring with all candidates debates underway. Wouldn’t it be convenient for those candidates who have not given their position on the Nanticoke development to assert at a debate that the matter is out of the county’s hands? And that’s precisely what happened at the Ward 4 debate (March 27th). While this may be convenient, I say not so fast Mr. Councillor and friends as there is now another issue on the table that is relevant to the Nanticoke Industrial Park—an energy project.
I believe it would be wise for Haldimand County Councillors to support a motion to revisit their position on the MZO given they have the opportunity to support a project that could likely provide good paying jobs for locals—that’s how you grow your local economy to increase your vital infrastructure.
In correspondence with the people of Haldimand-Norfolk, and on the election trail, I told you that the application, as of December, had not been received by then Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Callandra – Minister Callandra looked me in the eye just before Christmas and said the application had not yet hit his desk. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that perhaps nobody had informed him the request had been submitted in September.
But I cannot give a pass to senior County staff who have been sitting on this information since September and have heard Mayor Bentley, and likely me, say the application had not yet been received—why didn’t they speak up? Wouldn’t this be valuable information for the mayor when she travelled to the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association meetings in Toronto in January where she was having conversations with Cabinet Ministers about the MZO?
How is the taxpayer to have any faith in their respective levels of government?
This entire project has created chaos, and my opposition to a city of 40,000 has had me painted as anti-development by members of both councils. I’m not anti-development but I will always be opposed to irresponsible development.
This hare-brained proposal has also slit the throats of local builders, tradespeople, and businesses. I knocked on doors in 2022, and throughout February, when local tradespeople told me they were travelling outside the area for work because the likes of Empire Homes bring in their own people. I warn anyone locally who has been promised work by the Nanticoke development not to be fooled.
Haldimand-Norfolk has the brightest people, most talented builders and tradespeople, spirited entrepreneurs, all of whom give back to our communities time and again. Why has the red carpet been rolled out for Empire Homes in Haldimand? Perhaps it is true they have the means to battle, but why wouldn’t council make it harder for an outsider in order to better support locals?
It is time our municipal folks start supporting local builders, tradespeople, and businesses, all of whom live in our community, who want to responsibly build quality homes that will stand the test of time.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk