Latest news with #DresdenCARED
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Opponents of reopening Chatham-Kent dump angry over passage of Bill 5
Opponents of reopening a long-dormant dump in southwestern Ontario say they're disappointed with the passage of an Ontario bill that could clear the way for the project. But they say they are "fighting to the bitter end." The chair of the board of Dresden C.A.R.E.D. said the organization will be partnering with First Nations to push back against the proposal despite the passage of Bill 5. The bill, which passed on Wednesday and received royal ascent on Thursday, allows for the creation of so-called special economic zones in which "trusted proponents" could conduct business while being exempt from provincial or municipal laws and regulations — including requirements for permits and environmental assessments. The bill specifically exempts "specified activities relating to the Chatham-Kent waste disposal site" from Part II.3 of the Environmental Assessment Act, which requires applications for projects under the section to be accompanied by environmental assessments. "Yesterday I witnessed the premier become more powerful than the King of England, the guy who's on our money," said Stefan Premdas of Dresden C.A.R.E.D. "And not only did he become more powerful than the King of England, he took Russia's playbook to hand off Ontario's assets to his oligarch friends. This is just not something that is Canadian. It's not something that's democratic." Proposal to expand to 25 hectares The proponent of the proposed development, York1, has submitted two applications to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks related to the project, which is located just over a kilometre from the edge of Dresden. It proposes expanding the site to cover 25 hectares and receive 6,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste each day. York1 told CBC in a statement it plans to use the site to turn clean wood into mulch, compost, and raw materials for particleboard and paper manufacturing; to turn mixed wood waste into alternative low-carbon fuels; and to prepare rock and rubble for use in cement and concrete production, aggregate replacement in construction, base for sports fields or running tracks and decorative use in landscaping. Premier Doug Ford says his government is committed to the project because of an over-reliance on U.S. landfills at a time of deteriorating Canada-U.S. relations. York1 told CBC in a statement the company welcomes the passage of Bill 5 and looks forward to "moving forward with our plan to build a state-of-the-art regenerative recycling facility for construction and demolition waste in southwestern Ontario." But the proposal has faced significant community opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about the impact on nearby bodies of water and species at risk, and on the ability of local infrastructure to handle the increased traffic. The environment minister announced in March of 2024 that it would undergo a comprehensive environmental assessment. But the passage of Bill 5 has called into question just how much scrutiny the project will receive. The law firm Olthuis Kleer Townshend has also published an analysis on its website warning it could lead to minimal consultation with First Nations. And the chief of Walpole Island First Nation, located downstream from the landfill along the Sydenham River, called the bill "devastating" prior to its passage. Chatham-Kent Ward 4 Coun. Rhonda Jubenville said she shares residents' concerns and described her reaction to the bill's passage as "a lot of emotions." "I'm saddened. I'm angry. I'm hurt. I'm disappointed," she said. "Prior to Bill 5, there was going to be an environmental assessment taking place, so that would give everyone some peace to know that all of the protocols would be followed. … But now that's not going to happen. … So now we don't know what will be the long-term effects or the repercussions of this landfill happening." CBC asked York1 what mechanisms will be in place to protect the environment from contamination by harmful materials such as asbestos. Spokesperson Laryssa Waler replied, "We look forward to engagement with many stakeholders, municipal leaders and First Nations as we go forward. All activities on the site will be under strict environmental oversight, meeting the MECP requirements." Jubenville said it's too early to comment on the municipality's next steps, but she said councillors will meet soon to discuss them. In a statement Thursday afternoon, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent said it would discuss the issue and ways to continue opposing the landfill at its upcoming council meeting on Monday.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Bill to help fast-track Dresden landfill passes
Provincial legislation to help fast-track a highly contentious landfill in Dresden, Ont. was passed on Wednesday. Provincial legislation to help fast-track a highly contentious landfill in Dresden, Ont. was passed on Wednesday. As part of Bill 5, 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,' Ontario can exempt certain projects from the need for a full environmental assessment. 'Dresden is that special place where all the evils in Bill five will sort of happen first,' said Stefan Premdas, the board chair of Dresden C.A.R.E.D, an advocacy group formed in opposition to the landfill. Despite exhaustive efforts by Liberal and NDP MPPs to stall the vote, the Ford government pushed through the legislation. The bill will exempt the York1 Environmental Waste Solutions project on Irish School Road from a comprehensive environmental assessment. In recent months, Dresden residents, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Walpole Island First Nation have vehemently opposed the proposal. The long-defunct dump was previously used as a tile yard and ash landfill. By reopening it, residents fear there will be adverse changes to the environment, impacting their health, wildlife, and nearby ecosystems. York1 has insisted the site will recycle construction materials and non-hazardous soils, but municipal officials have disputed the claim. 'We are feeling emotional as to Bill Five passing, but make no mistake, us being emotional and sad does not mean we've stopped fighting,' Premdas told CTV News. The bill has been heavily scrutinized by First Nations Communities, who say their rights have been trampled. Leela Thomas, chief of Walpole Island First Nation, told CTV News the government delivered a 'slap in the face' to treaty rights. When asked about Dresden, Thomas noted they don't believe the fight is over. 'We're going to fight this to the Supreme Court if we need to,' Thomas said. Dresden area MPP Steve Pinsonneault was absent Wednesday from his seat at Queen's Park when Bill 5 was approved. Pinsonneault had previously broken with party rank by publicly voicing his opposition to the legislation. In a previous post on social media, Pinsonneault said even if he voted against the bill, it wouldn't change the outcome. CTV News reached out to MPPs across Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent but only received one response. Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh, downplayed the concerns over the landfill proposal. 'This is not a new landfill in Dresden. It is already approved for waste, and the same very strict environmental scrutiny through the ECA, the Environmental Compliance Approval process, will remain,' Dowie said. 'This is not zero regulation. This is pretty tough regulation.' On several occasions, the Ford government has defended the legislation because of dwindling landfill space. 'The United States, particularly Michigan, has said they're tired of taking in our waste generated in Ontario, and we do not have an overabundance of landfill capacity,' Dowie added. — With files from CTV Windsor's Michelle Maluske and Travis Fortnum.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Rights watchdog slams Ontario bill tied to Dresden landfill
Dresden residents hope to halt the reactivation and expansion of a long dormant landfill just north of town. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor) The fight over a proposed landfill expansion near Dresden is drawing new attention — this time from Amnesty International Canada. In a release Wednesday, the human rights organization took aim at Ontario's Bill 5, warning that it threatens Indigenous rights and weakens environmental protections. The legislation, introduced in April, proposes to exempt the site just north of Dresden from Ontario's Environmental Assessment Act to allow for a faster approval process. The decades-old dump, previously used as a tile yard and ash landfill, sits just outside the town limits. A private group is looking to revive and significantly expand operations there — something Walpole Island First Nation and local environmental advocates have vowed to fight. A contingent from the First Nation and advocacy group Dresden CARED voiced their concerns at Queen's Park Tuesday. Amnesty's concerns centre on the bill's plan to create 'special economic zones,' where key provincial safeguards — including those around species at risk, water quality and Indigenous consultation — could be suspended. 'We echo the alarms raised by Indigenous leaders and environmental advocates who have called Bill 5 a brazen power grab,' said Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada's English-speaking section. 'We cannot build up Ontario by bulldozing down the rights of Indigenous Nations and the natural environment we all depend on and share.' Amnesty calls for full withdrawal of Bill 5 Amnesty International is urging the province to pull the legislation altogether, calling for: An immediate halt to Bill 5 A renewed commitment to Indigenous rights as affirmed in Canadian law through the federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Meaningful consultation with Indigenous Nations and civil society before introducing any new development legislation 'Free, prior and informed consent must be upheld by all levels of government and cannot be legislated away,' said Nivyabandi. She encouraged Ontario politicians to view Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship as key to long-term growth — not roadblocks. 'A human rights-based approach to development will empower Ontario to avoid the tragic mistakes of the past and build an economy for everyone – Indigenous and non-Indigenous, urban and rural, young and old,' she said. 'By working together and respecting people's rights, we will be better equipped to respond in times of economic instability and secure a sustainable future for the next generation.' Ford defends landfill push, citing U.S. reliance Premier Doug Ford was asked directly about the Dresden landfill Tuesday during a media availability in Pickering. 'You've said Ontario needs more landfill capacity,' journalist Jesmeen Gill with The Trillium asked. 'So why did you choose the Dresden landfill over every other potential site when the environmental assessment your government promised was not yet done?' Ford pointed to Ontario's dependence on the United States for waste disposal — and concerns that President Donald Trump could cut that off. 'Things have changed since we did that. It was over a year ago,' he said. '40 per cent of all the garbage goes down to the U.S. It takes one phone call from President Trump to say, 'cut us off.' And then what do we do? We have to be prepared. 'I'm not going to rely on President Trump any longer,' Ford added. 'We have to be responsible for our own garbage.' Asked about a Liberal request for Ontario's Integrity Commissioner to investigate political donations from the owners of the Dresden site, Ford said he didn't know them. 'I don't even know who these guys are, to be honest with you,' he said. 'Someone said their names, but again, I don't look at who owns it or who doesn't. What I look at is the capacity issue that we're facing.'
