Ancaster Factor

Dear MPP Sandy Shaw

spraying is not a federal decision. It is a choice.

Each province decides how its public forests are managed. Most provinces, including Ontario, continue to permit the use of glyphosate in forestry under provincial regulations and forestry programs. Quebec chose a different path more than two decades ago by ending the routine use of glyphosate for forest vegetation management on its public forests.

If one Canadian province can manage its forests without relying on routine glyphosate spraying, why can't Ontario?

This isn't about blaming foresters. It's about asking whether our policies reflect today's values and today's understanding of biodiversity, mixed forests, watershed protection, and long-term forest resilience.

Homeowners in Ontario cannot use glyphosate for cosmetic w**d control, yet the Province still permits its use on Crown forests as part of forestry operations. Many Ontarians see that as a contradiction that deserves an honest public discussion.

MPP Sandy Shaw, I hope you'll call for a of Ontario's program, hear from scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, forest workers, and local communities, and ask whether there are better ways to regenerate our forests.

Healthy forests should be our legacy—not just for timber production, but for wildlife, clean water, carbon storage, recreation, and future generations.

Ontario can choose a different path. The question is: will we?

How Glyphosate Herbicide is Used to Poison Forests – And What You Can Do - Greenpeace Canada First comes the clearcut. Then, as the forest begins to regrow, helicopters fly over. They spray glyphosate herbicide - key ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup - across the landscape.

Lost Mile Barn | Alpacas | Ancaster, Ontario

As some one who remembers Jackson Square and the Market in it's day before the Eatons Centre and the closure of the office buildings like Stelco Tower, our downtown has become beyond sad :(

Another concerning stat for the health of Hamilton's downtown -- the number of people visiting the Hamilton Farmers' Market is decreasing.

For the first time since measurements began (COVID excluded) the Market is reporting fewer visitors year-over-year.

Most concerningly, traffic in June was down 14.1 per cent comparatively, with Saturdays down 10 per cent.

High profile crime events, public drug use, and homelessness on York Boulevard are among the reasons cited. The Market shares its building with the Hamilton Central Library which continues to report significant decreases in families attending the library.

Story now on TPR.

267 Application, UBE-3 and the Future of Ancaster's Sulphur Springs Rd.

The Greenbelt controversy may have faded from the headlines, but the planning pressures on Sulphur Springs Road continue.

In 2022, 267 Sulphur Springs was submitted to the Province for removal from the Greenbelt and Niagara Escarpment Plan. The proposal sought to bring the property into Hamilton's urban boundary and redesignate it for residential neighbourhood development at up to 60 units per hectare on the developable portion of the site. The proposal was ultimately not approved through the Greenbelt process.

Today, attention has shifted to the adjacent UBE-3 application (159 & 163 Sulphur Springs Road), which proposes expanding Hamilton's urban boundary to permit 75 new homes. Although City Council refused the application, it remains part of an ongoing planning and appeal process.

These may be separate applications, but they affect the same corridor, the same infrastructure, and ultimately the same community.

One question deserves far more public discussion:

Has anyone assessed the cumulative impact of multiple developments along Sulphur Springs Road?

Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about:

* traffic and road safety,
* loss of Greenbelt and Escarpment lands,
* impacts on natural heritage and groundwater,
* pressure on municipal infrastructure, and
* wastewater capacity.

Hamilton itself publishes a public dashboard documenting wastewater bypasses and combined sewer overflow events throughout the city. While not every overflow is caused by new development, these events demonstrate that parts of Hamilton's wastewater system are already under stress during significant rainfall. That is why infrastructure capacity should be carefully evaluated whenever substantial new growth is proposed.

Many of the older neighbourhoods surrounding Ancaster—including portions of the historic village—still rely on combined sewer systems, where stormwater and sanitary sewage share the same pipes. During intense storms, these systems can exceed capacity, resulting in combined sewer overflows to protect homes and treatment facilities. The City's own monitoring program makes this information publicly available.

The issue is larger than one property or one application. It is about ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with growth and that planning decisions consider the **cumulative** effects on residents, the environment, and future generations.

Growth is inevitable. Smart growth requires transparency, infrastructure that is ready for it, and a willingness to look beyond individual applications to understand the long-term future of the entire Sulphur Springs corridor.

Hamilton Combined Sewer Overflow & Wastewater Monitoring:
https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/water-wastewater-stormwater/wastewater-collection-treatment/monitoring](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/water-wastewater-stormwater/wastewater-collection-treatment/monitoring)

UBE-3 Application Information:
https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/planning-development/planning-applications/urban-boundary-expansion/ube-3](https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/planning-development/planning-applications/urban-boundary-expansion/ube-3)

Should planning decisions along Sulphur Springs Road continue to be evaluated one property at a time, or should the City undertake a comprehensive cumulative impact assessment before any further approvals are considered?

Voting is one of the simplest ways to make a difference in your community. If you're eligible to vote in Hamilton's 2026 Municipal Election, make a plan now for Election Day on October 26 or vote at an advance poll throughout October. Visit Hamilton.ca/Elections to learn more.

Today I want to share the memorial page for a truly remarkable woman, Norma Jean Bush.

The world feels a little quieter without her in it, but I know her legacy lives on in the countless lives she influenced with her warmth, generosity, and gentle spirit.

She will be dearly missed and never forgotten.

If you knew Norma Jean, I encourage you to take a moment to visit her memorial page, share a memory, or leave a message for her family. I know it would mean a great deal.

Rest peacefully, Norma Jean. Thank you for everything. ❤️

Condolences to Leslie Bush Johnston and family

Memorial page: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/dbancaster/obituaries/norma-jean-bush/163221.html

In Loving Memory of Norma Jean Bush
May 11, 1937 – June 06, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Norma Jean Bush on July 06, 2026.

Norma Jean is now reunited with her beloved husband, Ron, with whom she shared 67 wonderful years of marriage. She is also reunited with her parents, Archie and Anne, her cherished son Joel, her dear sister-in-law Margaret and brother-in-law Geoff, and the many other treasured family members and friends who went before her.

Norma Jean leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory: her brother Jimmie (Margaret), her sister Sandy (Geoff), her beloved daughter Leslie (Mike), and her daughter-in-law Kathleen. She will also be deeply missed by her many nieces, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The greatest joy in Norma Jean’s life was her family, especially her treasured grandchildren Katrina, Sydney, Sarah, Parker, and Carter, who were truly the lights of her life. Her love and pride in them knew no bounds. She also leaves behind her faithful Bernedoodle companions, Charley and Berkley, who brought her comfort, companionship, and countless happy moments over the past six years.

While Norma Jean was not an avid athlete herself, she loved watching sports, particularly curling and tennis. Family and friends could always count on hearing her enthusiastic cheers from the television whenever her favourite players or teams were competing. More than anything, however, Norma Jean treasured time spent with family and friends. She was deeply grateful for the lifelong friendships she nurtured over the years and found her greatest happiness in the company of those she loved.

Services are entrusted to Dodsworth and Brown Funeral Home - Ancaster Chapel. Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will be held at Dodsworth & Brown Funeral Home – Ancaster Chapel (90 Garner Road in Ancaster) on Thursday, July 23, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Family and friends are warmly invited to join us as we celebrate Norma Jean’s life, share cherished memories, and reflect on the joy, kindness, and love she brought to all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hamilton SPCA or to a charity of your choice.

Forever loved, always remembered, and deeply missed.

Funeral Details
Celebration of Life
Dodsworth & Brown Funeral Home
Event Times:
23-Jul-2026 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Condolences from family and friends

How can Hamilton keep approving more development when our wastewater system already struggles during heavy rain?

The City of Hamilton's own Wastewater Overflow Monitoring page shows that combined sewer overflows and bypasses continue to occur when the system is overwhelmed.

https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/water-wastewater-stormwater/wastewater-collection-treatment/monitoring

During major rain events, excess wastewater is released through overflow points and storage facilities to prevent basement flooding and damage to treatment infrastructure.

If our existing infrastructure reaches capacity during today's storms, how do we responsibly add thousands of new homes and major developments without first ensuring our wastewater system can handle the additional demand?

Climate scientists are telling us to expect more frequent and more intense rainfall. That means yesterday's infrastructure may not be enough for tomorrow's city.

Growth is important. Housing is important.

But infrastructure has to come first.

Should Hamilton be required to demonstrate that wastewater, stormwater, roads, schools, and emergency services can support new development *before* approving it?

Take a look at the City's own monitoring page and decide for yourself:

https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/water-wastewater-stormwater/wastewater-collection-treatment/monitoring

What do you think? Should infrastructure lead growth, or are we putting the cart before the horse?