Council votes down petition to withdraw Nanticoke MZO support

NANTICOKE—After another close vote, Haldimand County continues to support Empire Communities’ Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) application for their planned large-scale Nanticoke development.

Councillor Brad Adams’ petition to have Haldimand Council withdraw its support of the controversial MZO request – which had over 2,400 signatures – was defeated with a 4-3 vote on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

CAYUGA—Members of CARD (Citizens Advocating for Responsible Development) pose outside of the County Administration Building on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 ahead of a discussion on whether or not to follow Councillor Brad Adams’ petition, which asked Council to rescind County support of Empire Communities’ Nanticoke MZO request.

Adams gave an impassioned, nearly 20-minute speech encapsulating his opposition to the MZO. He claimed overwhelming public opposition heard through his Ward 4 byelection campaign, the petition, and general discussions with constituents.

“Some people suggested a referendum,” said Adams. “Unfortunately, due to the expense of it that wasn’t possible. I would have loved that because it would have been a slam dunk.”

Adams claimed more than once that up to 90% of Haldimand’s residents opposed the MZO and the proposed development, which could eventually see about 15,000 homes and a variety of businesses and industry over 4,200 acres.

CAYUGA—Members of CARD (Citizens Advocating for Responsible Development) gathered at the County Administration Building to rally against the MZO.

“Nine out of 10 doors I knocked on, people would say, ‘Are you going to stop this stupid, asinine idea of this great big city in Nanticoke?’… Just like five other elections have been won on that same platform,” Adams said. “Could I accurately say 90% of all of Haldimand? No, I cannot. Ward 4? I can say I’m pretty confident.”

Councillor Patrick O’Neill challenged Adams on the assertion that nearly all residents are opposed, noting that the vote tallies of Adams, Councillor Debera McKeen, and Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley remain a minority overall: “We have 40,860 registered voters in Haldimand available to vote. Three of you garnished 7,000…. Saying we’re not representing the people or not listening to the people – well if I look at the numbers, there’s a lot more people out there that didn’t vote for you.”

In recent months, discussions have been underway for a potential nuclear facility at Nanticoke’s Lake Erie Works site. MZO opponents like MPP Bobbi Ann Brady have argued this would be incompatible with Empire’s plans; Brady stated during her 2025 campaign, “We cannot bring people and energy; it has to be one or the other.”

CAYUGA—Mayor Bentley hugs a supporter in the lobby following the vote. —Haldimand Press photos by Mike Renzella.

Councillor Dan Lawrence took issue with that repeated claim, recalling his conversation with Minister of Energy Stephen Lecce about it just last month at a social function during this year’s AMO conference. Lawrence said Lecce raised no concerns and provided the example of McMaster University’s nuclear reactor, built in 1959 on Main Street in Hamilton for research purposes: “There’s your proof right there.”

In addition to the possible Nanticoke nuclear facility, Lawrence hopes new high-value taxpayers around the Nanticoke industrial park will lower taxes for residents.

“If there wasn’t any industrial component to this, I wouldn’t want any part of it, because that will help every resident of Haldimand County,” he said, pointing to the current lack of infrastructure in the area as a barrier to new business.

Empire has promised to complete key infrastructure upgrades as part of the development, which could kickstart industrial growth, in addition to the construction of a new wastewater plant that would service communities like Nanticoke, Hagersville, and Jarvis.

Haldimand’s Interim CAO Mark Merritt said a County analysis – based on the 60/40 residential-industrial land split provided by Empire in 2022 – shows the industrial lands alone could eventually generate between $70-80 million a year in tax revenue. Should 15,000 homes be built, that revenue would increase to roughly $100 million – larger than the County’s current entire tax levy of $92 million.

“That’s the magnitude on the tax side,” said Merritt, noting that no feasibility study has been completed on how much of that extra tax income would remain after deducting ongoing capital and operational costs to service those new businesses and residents.

Bentley listed a new hospital, funded at least partially by taxpayers, and the need for full-time firefighters as examples of how that tax revenue would be “eaten up.”

Adams also read a letter from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Chief Claire Sault reiterating their previous opposition to the MZO and encouraging Haldimand Council to revoke its support.

Local businessman John Edelman appeared as a delegate. He noted that Empire does not require County support to proceed, but that such support may provide Haldimand with greater leverage in the planning process.

“I’m not a fan of MZO. I’m not a fan whenever the Province gets involved in our municipal affairs,” said Edelman. “My concern is if we close this door, we open another door…. I’d rather have input from this County than no input at all.”

“Do you expect us to just roll over?” asked Adams. “I am listening to what you’re saying, and it’s nothing new.”

Edelman responded, “I just want it on record that what you’re doing is opening the door for no say at all…. Right now, we have an opportunity for an amendment to what’s here to try and maximize the best potential for this community.”

Mayor Bentley and Councillors Adams and McKeen voted to rescind the MZO request support, while Councillors O’Neill, Lawrence, Rob Shirton, and John Metcalfe voted to maintain it.

While most votes remained the same from previous discussions, Metcalfe was a notable change, having supported Bentley’s request to rescind support in June 2024. Metcalfe did not speak during the recent meeting, and was not available for an interview September 2 prior to publication; further comments will be provided in a future edition as available.

Anti-MZO residents gathered in the chamber and lobby to voice their displeasure with the vote, peppering Council with loud calls of “Traitors! Traitors!”

Outside, MPP Brady shared her thoughts on the vote: “It’s disappointing. I think some councillors are going to pay the price at the ballot box next October, because the will of the people they represent I don’t think is being represented, and I don’t think it’s being respected.”