Chatham-Kent’s mayor has taken the fight directly to Queen’s Park as the municipality continues to push back against the proposed reopening of a dormant landfill near Dresden.
Mayor Darrin Canniff addressed a provincial Standing Committee in Toronto on Thursday and gave testimony as part of the review of proposed legislation that would remove comprehensive environmental assessment requirements for a property at 29831 Irish School Rd., north of Dresden. Canniff was also joined by Ward 4 Councillor Jamie McGrail.
If passed, Bill 5 would allow the property owners, Mississauga-based company York1 Waste Solutions, to move forward with the expansion and development of the landfill.
During his speech to provincial lawmakers, Canniff brought forth the concerns of local residents, emphasizing the importance of protecting the health, environment, and quality of life of the people of Dresden.
“We will not stand by while our community is put at risk. This proposal threatens Chatham-Kent’s environment, water, and the well-being of our residents. This injustice goes beyond Chatham-Kent now; this could affect all rural municipalities and Indigenous communities throughout Ontario with dormant landfill sites on their doorsteps,” Canniff said. “We are all united in opposition to this proposal.”
York1’s plans to reopen the landfill site were made public in early 2024 and were met with significant public backlash. Chatham-Kent Council and municipal administration have also unanimously opposed the project.
“They are trying to force through a massive landfill on the border of our town. It is a location that cannot be supported. They are doing this without proper environmental, cultural, agricultural, economic, traffic or engineering studies,” Canniff said in his speech. “I stand before the committee today saying, ‘location, location, location.’ How can we destroy a community of 3,000 people by locating a major landfill so close to our community?”
Bill 5 was referred to the Standing Committee after passing Second Reading on May 6.
For more information on Chatham-Kent’s efforts to oppose the landfill development near Dresden, click here.
