During my work with Save Our Springs in 2017–2018, I voluntarily went through a period of intensive research and discovery related to the regulations around the Ancaster Wells. In the course of this work, I received an anonymous phone call and a copy of the third page of the deed—both of which raised serious questions for me about the historical and legal treatment of the springs.

Through my own investigation I came to the conclusion that the Small Drinking Water Standards could not be applied to a natural spring, I came to understand that naturally occurring springs are not governed by the Ontario Drinking Water Standards at all. Those standards apply specifically to municipally treated tap water, not to free-flowing groundwater emerging directly from the source. This distinction became critically important to me, as it shaped how the spring’s protection—or lack thereof—was being framed.

At the same time, I experienced growing internal conflict within the management of Save Our Springs. Our leadership was growing increasing fraught, and was verbally abusive (totally lost his cool) on 3 occasions towards me that were completely uncalled for.  I was explicitly instructed not to contact then-MPP Ted McMeekin, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson of the City of Hamilton, members of the Kennedy family, and select members of the community.  I remember receiving these instructions and being silently gobsmacked either at the sheer incompetency of our leadership or that there was something wrong going on here.  By this time of the initial 5 community members that came together only 2 of us remained apparently with one boss barking orders and apparently taking those orders directly from our then sitting council.

Despite these instructions, I chose to contact people independently. I felt that excluding key voices—especially those with historical, medical, or political knowledge—was contrary to the principles of transparency and truth-seeking that initially drew me to the work.

At the time, I remained responsible for the website and communications, and was therefore acutely aware of the public narrative - water dirty - fence or closure that was being promoted. Increasingly, I felt that this narrative was incomplete and that important legal and historical realities were being sidelined. My disagreement was largely silent, but deeply felt.

I contacted Ted McMeekin and explained to him in an email what was going on with the water standards.  Shortly after that our leader  instructed not to further discuss the Ontario Drinking Water Act and instead to focus exclusively on the City-regulated Small Drinking Water System, and to cease mentioning Ted altogether. This was profoundly upsetting, as it reinforced my sense that certain truths were being avoided rather than examined.  Ted never acknowledged our conversation publicly.

Feeling politically homeless and ethically unsettled, 2018 I volunteered for the Green Party—the only party at the time that was willing to openly consider protection of the spring as an environmental and moral issue.

At a public debate in Dundas, when asked about the Wells, Ted McMeekin referred to what had happened to the Ancaster Wells  was the result of “greedy men.” That statement confirmed for me that he was aware of the underlying realities. What remains unresolved for me is the absence of a full and truthful public accounting.

Shortly after that debate and 3 months prior to any regulations even coming to pass the Ancaster Well was locked up, we were told to go home and my sitting councillor threatened to sue me for slander.  I am still waiting for that face to face meeting to happen.

I am not seeking blame. I am seeking truth—spoken plainly and without omission—because the spring, and the community around it, deserved nothing less.

Ted did not get voted in after that election campaign, he lost to Sandy Shaw.  Ted is now a sitting councillor and has taken the lead to grow the Greenbelt.

So now I ask Ted McMeekin once again – will you protect the @ancaster wells