Latest news with #environmentalPolicy
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.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
New Flamingo Land theme park planned for top UK tourist beauty spot – and people aren't happy
A NEW theme park wanting to open in the UK has been delivered another blow. An emergency meeting has been set up to discuss the development of Flamingo Land in Scotland which is set to gain planning permission after 49 conditions were added to the new application. 3 Back in 2018, plans for a new attraction were submitted by Flamingo Land for the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland. However, the following year they were withdrawn due to a lack of support - which seems to have also continued ever since. In 2020, updated plans were resubmitted, insisting that the new attraction would be a "major step away" from its other resort - which includes a theme park and zoo in Yorkshire, reports the BBC. The theme park operator wants to build a £40million resort on Lomond Banks that would include a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants. Despite this, the Loch Lomond park authority board ruled that even the updated plans still conflicted with both regional and national environmental polices. The lake in southern Scotland, which is part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, is known for boasting red deer and oak woodlands. Among the risks listed, Stuart Pearce from the park authority noted how the plans would create an "unacceptable risk" of flooding of the River Leven. Following the release of the updated plans, more than 174,000 people signed a petition against the project. The current Flamingo Land resort on north Yorkshire opened back in 1959 - originally as a zoo. The attraction got its name from the popular pink bird, which were among the first animals on the site in Yorkshire. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park Now a public meeting has been set for May 30 to discuss the proposals for the banks of Loch Lomond. The meeting follows news that the Scottish government approved permission for the development - overturning the decision of the national park authority. Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, who does not support the plan, said that the development would cause "irreversible damage" and the decision was an "anti-democratic outrage". He added: "Their destructive plans were unanimously rejected by the National Park's board, opposed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Park's expert planning officers and 155,000 people who joined our Save Loch Lomond campaign." He labelled the developer as "greedy" and that it would not take "no for an answer". "We are urgently considering our options for continuing this fight. I will leave no stone unturned in the campaign to save Loch Lomond," he concluded. 3 The Balloch and Haldane Community Council also noted how they were "deeply disappointed" in the Scottish government's decision which it said "contradicts the expressed will of the community". In an 80-page document on the site, an evaluation noted how there has been a lot of opposition to the plans. However, it also said that the site could operate safely despite the risk of flooding and added that there could be benefits to the local community in terms of jobs and a boost to the economy. If the project did go ahead it would likely have two hotels, more than 100 lodges, a waterpark and a monorail built. bird-inspired £5million adventure play park is also planned for a UK attraction, and is 'to be a place of wonder for families'. Plus, a major UK theme park is to get a huge new land by 2027 with rollercoasters, kids rides and indoor attractions. 3
E&E News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
Democratic AGs enter the fray over Trump admin ESA change
Sixteen Democratic state attorneys general Monday denounced a Trump administration proposal to narrow the definition of what it means to 'harm' an imperiled plant or animal under the Endangered Species Act. In a detailed, 33-page letter organized by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the state officials said the proposal would be poisonous to ESA-protected species and they all but promised litigation will follow if the Fish and Wildlife Service proceeds. 'California is home to more than 300 species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal ESA, whose survival depends on the continued protection provided by the ESA,' Bonta said in a statement. 'Not only would the proposed rule put our ecosystems in critical danger, but the Trump Administration would be making this change illegally.' Advertisement The FWS proposal would narrow the ESA's definition of 'harm' so that it excludes actions that affect habitat and extends only to the species in question.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘We need more opportunities': Alberta urges Ottawa to follow through on pipelines
Mixed messages are coming out of Ottawa after the former environment minister questions the need for new pipelines. CTV News Edmonton's Chelan Skulski reports.
