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Coun. Brad Adams says Haldimand County residents “overwhelmingly” oppose a plan to build 15,000 houses near the Stelco steelworks in Nanticoke.
Published Oct 03, 2025 • Last updated 2 days ago • 4 minute read
Signs like this one spotted along the highway outside Jarvis popped up throughout Haldimand County during Shelley Ann Bentley’s successful mayoral campaign in 2022. Some of the signs have stayed put ever since, conveying some residents’ continued opposition to building 15,000 homes on industrial land in Nanticoke. Photo by J.P. Antonacci /Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Coun. Brad Adams says Haldimand County residents “overwhelmingly” oppose a plan to build 15,000 houses near the Stelco steelworks in Nanticoke.
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Putting the question on next year’s municipal election ballot would prove it.
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At the Sept. 16 council meeting, Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley called for a ballot question asking residents if they approve the use of provincial minister’s zoning orders (MZOs) to “expedite development projects.”
MZOs have a been a hot topic in Haldimand ever since Empire Communities first sought to rezone 4,200 acres around the Nanticoke steelworks, to allow for the consideration of a large-scale development proposal.
Empire’s plan would see light industry and 15,000 homes built inside what is currently a provincially-designated industrial park. The developer has promised the county $100 million for much-needed water treatment infrastructure upgrades.
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Adams and Coun. Debera McKeen ran on their opposition to Empire’s plan in April’s byelections.
Bentley and Independent Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady were also elected on the “say no to the MZO” platform.
Adams has claimed “80 to 90 per cent” of Haldimand residents oppose residential development near the…

