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CBC
5 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
5 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
03-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
York1 filed court challenge over landfill project months before Ford government proposed rollback
The company behind a controversial landfill proposal near Dresden launched a legal challenge last summer over Ontario's decision to require a full environmental assessment — months before the Ford government introduced legislation to scrap that requirement. York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Ltd. filed a judicial review application on July 29, 2024, seeking to overturn the province's designation regulation that placed its project under Ontario's comprehensive environmental assessment process. A copy of the court filing and confirmation of the legal action were provided to CTV News by York1. The application was filed in Divisional Court in London, Ont. CTV News has contacted the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for confirmation and comment and is awaiting a response. Timeline of events: Dresden landfill proposal March 11, 2024 – While speaking in Windsor, Premier Doug Ford is asked about the proposed landfill near Dresden. He says he's unfamiliar with the issue but adds: 'If people like something, we do it. If they don't, we don't do it. It's about as simple as that.' – While speaking in Windsor, Premier Doug Ford is asked about the proposed landfill near Dresden. He says he's unfamiliar with the issue but adds: March 15, 2024 – Former Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Andrea Khanjin announces the project will be subject to a comprehensive environmental assessment, under Ontario Regulation 284/24. – Former Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Andrea Khanjin announces the project will be subject to a comprehensive environmental assessment, under Ontario Regulation 284/24. July 29, 2024 – York1 files a judicial review application, arguing the designation contradicts prior guidance the company says it received in 2022 from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, indicating a screening-level EA would apply. – York1 files a judicial review application, arguing the designation contradicts prior guidance the company says it received in 2022 from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, indicating a screening-level EA would apply. April 17, 2025 – The Ford government introduces Bill 5, which proposes to eliminate the EA requirement for the Dresden site — effectively reversing the March 2024 decision that York1 is challenging in court. York1 argues in court filings that the province's shifting position — from limited EA, to full EA and now a possible exemption — created uncertainty and made the project 'unfeasible.' The company says it purchased the Irish School Road property in 2022 after receiving written guidance from the Ministry outlining regulatory expectations for a regenerative recycling facility accepting construction and demolition waste. A 2022 letter from the Ministry, provided by York1, states that a screening-level environmental assessment would be required for certain aspects of the project — not a comprehensive one. The project has faced widespread opposition from Dresden residents. Chatham-Kent Council has unanimously opposed the proposal, and municipal officials say the site's historic environmental approvals — dating back to the 1970s and 1990s — no longer meet modern standards. York1, meanwhile, says it met with Chatham-Kent officials numerous times, and claims the municipality initially expressed support for the project — including the concept of a host-community agreement — before later reversing course. The legal action preceded a wave of political scrutiny that has since intensified attention on the project. In May 2025, Ontario Liberal MPP Ted Hsu asked the province's Integrity Commissioner to investigate possible connections between the Ford government and the landfill proposal — pointing to roughly $200,000 in political donations made since 2018 by members of the Brunetti family, York1 executives, and individuals tied to companies involved in the property's ownership. Hsu has questioned the timing of those contributions, noting several were made around key regulatory decisions. Asked about the donations, York1 spokesperson Laryssa Waler declined to comment on individual contributions, saying all political donations in Ontario are publicly reported and 'speak for themselves.' The judicial review has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Dresden landfill fight: What options are left if Bill 5 becomes law?
Dresden residents hope to halt the reactivation and expansion of a long dormant landfill just north of town. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor) With a controversial provincial bill expected to pass at Queen's Park this week, residents of Dresden and municipal officials in Chatham-Kent are doubling down on their opposition to a landfill proposal tied to the legislation. Bill 5, the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,' would allow Ontario to exempt select infrastructure projects from full environmental assessments. Among them is a dormant landfill site on Irish School Road in Dresden that York1 Environmental Solutions hopes to revive as a construction and demolition materials recycling facility. The community has long pushed back against the plan, and as the bill inches toward becoming law, many are now asking: what options are left? 'There's not a whole lot that the municipality can do from a legal perspective,' said Windsor-based municipal consultant Melinda Munro. 'But they seem to be doing a lot of useful things from a political perspective.' Munro said the key now is sustained pressure — not just from Chatham-Kent council, but from residents and aligned groups across the region. 'Keep up the political pressure,' she said. 'Join up with communities of interest. There are others besides the municipality — the community itself, local businesses and First Nations — who may be like-minded and have different legal tools available to them.' York1 maintains the project has been mischaracterized. The company says the site would not be a traditional landfill and would only accept non-hazardous construction materials, adding it has been transparent and previously received municipal support — a claim Chatham-Kent officials firmly deny. A statement from Mayor Darrin Canniff last week said the municipality 'does not support this project' and accused York1 of attempting to 'dress it up' under a new brand, Sustainable Dresden, without addressing prior concerns. 'We will continue to fight to ensure Dresden is not used as a dumping ground,' Canniff said. Wendy Vercauteren, a leading voice among residents opposed to the project, said there's still hope Queen's Park will revise the bill to remove the landfill clause entirely. 'I guess you could say the way I'm feeling right now is hopeful — that we've sent a strong enough message to Queen's Park,' she said. 'I'm hoping they'll use their conscience and vote no to Bill 5 — or at least yes to amendments that remove our schedule from it.' Vercauteren said she's reached out to provincial and federal officials, including the Prime Minister's Office and the Minister of Environment. 'We will not give up,' she said. If the bill passes, Munro said the next phase is about close scrutiny and constant pushback. 'One of my favourite law professors said, 'Make it sporting for them,'' she explained. 'Every time the province takes an action, make sure they're dotting their Is and crossing their Ts — and challenge them on every single minor flaw.' She said even if the bill becomes law, it's not a done deal. 'That landfill still has to get built. The minister has promised a thorough environmental review based on the previous assessment. The MPPs in the region are saying, 'We're going to hold you to that,'' Munro said. Munro also noted that political overreach in Ontario has sometimes been walked back when public resistance becomes too strong. 'We've seen this before,' she said. 'They make very aggressive moves and then pull back because they overshot or overestimated the community support.' For now, the community of Dresden is leaning on unity — and resolve. 'This one situation has pulled everybody together,' said Vercauteren. 'Different political views, different walks of life, all on the same page saying this cannot happen. That's amazing, especially for a small community like this.'
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Chatham-Kent pushes back against website promoting Dresden landfill project
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is calling out what it says is a misleading new website launched by the company behind a controversial landfill proposal. In a release issued Thursday, the municipality said it is 'aware of a newly launched website named 'Sustainable Dresden'' — a site operated by a public relations firm on behalf of York1 Environmental Solutions. 'Despite the claims on the website,' the municipality said, 'such as their desire to 'meet with decision makers to support local infrastructure priorities' […] the Municipality has not been contacted by York1 Environmental Solutions or anyone representing them.' The statement says the proposal outlined on the site 'bears striking resemblance' to a landfill plan rejected by council, residents and neighbouring Indigenous Nations last year. 'Our message is clear: we do not support this project,' Mayor Darrin Canniff said in the release. 'No matter how they attempt to spin it or dress it up, we will continue to fight to ensure Dresden is not used as a dumping ground.' A municipality-run website, outlines its long-standing opposition to the project. Ward 4 Councillors Jamie McGrail and Rhonda Jubenville also reiterated their stance within the news release, with Jubenville warning of 'devastating environmental impacts' and 'detrimental effects of the potential increased truck traffic through our communities.' What York1 says it's proposing Earlier this week, York1 told CTV News its plans for the Dresden site involve updating an existing landfill to become a recycling facility for non-hazardous construction and demolition debris. 'The YORK1 site in Dresden will NOT be a traditional landfill – it will be a Regenerative Recycling Facility for non-hazardous construction and demolition materials ONLY,' the company's new website reads. York1 spokesperson Laryssa Waler said in a statement, 'The proposed changes to the site will actually help improve the environmental footprint of the site and bring it up to current standards, while creating many local good jobs and spin off economic activity.' She also stated York1 is open to discussions: 'York1 is willing to engage in discussions with decision makers about how the company can best support the community.' When asked about the potential for household waste to be accepted at the site, Waler responded: 'I'm not sure why you think that this site will take household waste. It won't. It's for construction and demolition debris.' The proposal is currently tied to Bill 5, a piece of provincial legislation that, if passed, would exempt the project from undergoing a full environmental assessment.
