As the battle over reopening a dormant landfill in Dresden rages on, Chatham-Kent officials want to ensure other communities across Ontario have their guard up.
North Kent councillor Jamie McGrail tabled a motion at Monday night’s council meeting, asking municipal staff to draft a letter to other municipalities and municipal organizations, including the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, warning about proposed provincial legislation that would remove the need for an environmental assessment to reopen and expand the Irish School Road site.
McGrail says while this situation directly affects Chatham-Kent, it could just as easily be any other community in Ontario, and municipalities across the province need to be aware of the risk to historic landfill sites.
“To ensure that other municipal councils and communities know about what’s happening in Dresden, and the potential risk to their community if this approach is taken by the province,” McGrail said.
McGrail originally intended to issue a notice of motion, but with a 2/3 vote from council, was able to bring it forward for discussion and approval, given the time sensitive nature of the issue.
The deadline for public comment on Bill 5 is this Saturday.
