NANTICOKE—A new posting made by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) is asking residents to share their thoughts on Empire Communities’ proposal to build a large-scale development in Nanticoke.
The posting appeared on June 3, 2026 and will remain open for comments until July 3. It notes the government is seeking feedback that “may assist in informing a decision.”
Specifically, they want to hear how residents feel about “potential land use compatibility issues, environmental considerations, health and safety considerations, servicing and infrastructure considerations, economic effects on the community, financial impacts on the municipality, and implications for existing or approved development, as well as potential mitigation measures.”
Empire Communities spokesperson Laryssa Waler is happy to see the government “respecting the established process” with the posting.
Typically, public comments are collected near the end of the review process for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO), but that is not guaranteed.
“I’ve seen these before. It could go quick, or it could take long. It depends on what’s submitted or depends on if they need more information. There’s so many variables,” said Waler.
The Press asked for information on any environmental or site tests completed by the Ministry on the proposed lands to date, but neither Waler nor the Ministry provided this information as of publication. Waler did note “a ton of environmental protections in the MZO process.”
Despite criticisms lobbied against Doug Ford’s Conservatives for greatly expanded use of MZOs compared to previous governments, Waler called it “a widely used process to build communities and different sorts of things across the province.”
She continued, “It’s just an option that’s available. It’s what (Haldimand) County requested. It’s important to remember Empire did not request the MZO, the town did.”
At the time of the initial MZO request in 2022, then-Haldimand CAO Craig Manley said, “The Province has to agree to converting some land that’s been designated for industrial and employment purposes for a long time to residential development.”
Manley noted the MZO would be the first step of a complicated process and many studies.
The MZO has been the focus of grassroots organization Citizens Advocating for Responsible Development (CARD), whose signs became prominent around the 2022 municipal election that saw now-mayor Shelley Ann Bentley run a campaign centred on MZO opposition.
MPP Bobbi Ann Brady has also publicly opposed the MZO, garnering strong support both online and during the most recent election cycles.
Haldimand Council, however, has maintained support of the MZO request through five key votes. The previous council first supported it with a 7-0 vote in March 2022. The current council saw split decisions still end in favour at one vote following public consultations in May 2023 and at one vote following revisions to the provincial process in June 2024. Councillor Brad Adams’ motion in August 2025 to withdraw support and Bentley’s motion in December 2025 to include an MZO referendum on the upcoming municipal ballot were both defeated in split votes as well.
Speaking to The Press, Brady reaffirmed her opposition, listing a lack of critical infrastructure, the “chaos on Highway 6,” and a lack of existing healthcare and policing to support large-scale expansion.
“All of this critical infrastructure needs to be thought about,” said Brady. “These developers, they don’t build the schools. They build the houses and then hightail it out and then they wonder why our education systems can’t keep pace either.”
While opponents often quote initial estimates for 15,000 homes and 40,000 people, Empire’s official plans have since evolved, decreasing the number of residential units to 10,000.
They also list 1,700 acres for employment lands, 1,000 acres for natural heritage and open space, 400 acres of land for community uses such as schools, parks, retail, and waterfront space, and a 125-acre waterfront park, which will include trails.
Brady insisted even 10,000 new residents would be too many, noting a trend of people moving to Haldimand for cheaper homes and commuting to their previous cities for work putting significant strain on transportation infrastructure.
Brady reiterated her concern for potential long-term health impacts of homes being near industrial areas, saying she has heard “rumblings around Queen’s Park” that staff members have quit for fear of the Nanticoke proposal turning into “another Erin Brockovich situation.”
Made famous in the 2000 film starring Julia Roberts, Brockovich worked on a legal case in the 1990s against Pacific Gas and Electric, whose improper disposal of wastewater in the 1950-60s contaminated the water supply of Hinkley, California and was linked to severe illness in residents.
The Press contacted the Ministry to inquire about any staff quitting over a potential Nanticoke MZO decision but did not receive a response prior to publication.
Brady also questioned the timing of the ERO posting, noting it was posted just two days after her final question before the House froze for summer.
“This is a very busy time of year for families. There is this notion in the political government world that if you want people not to pay attention to something … put it out on a Friday like today that is nice and sunny and warm, and people are not going to pay attention,” said Brady.
Brady urged the public to take part in the process.
“I say to the people of Haldimand Norfolk, the power is now in our hands…. Other than fighting it out on social media, this is our opportunity to put it all out in one place and let them know what we think here.”
To view the ERO posting and make a comment, visit ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0451.
