Chatham-Kent officials are not backing down now that the Ontario government has passed Bill 5, fast-tracking plans to reopen a dormant landfill near Dresden.
The issue will be up for discussion at Monday night’s council meeting, going what options the municipality has to fight the legislation, including retaining environmental lawyers and engineers.
Mayor Darrin Canniff says Chatham-Kent council and municipal officials will continue fighting for Dresden and neighbouring communities as well as Indigenous nations across Ontario.
“We are incredibly disappointed with the passing of this bill, but we are not giving up,” Canniff said in a news release. “We urge the Government of Ontario to reconsider the implications of this legislation, to listen to the concerns of communities like ours, and to respect the rights of all Ontarians, especially Indigenous communities, whose voices must not be ignored as stewards of the land.”
“I am saddened that our elected MPPs didn’t stand against the portion of Bill 5 that threatened Dresden,” added Ward 4 Councillor Rhonda Jubenville. “I am hopeful that they will still work with us to provide the best possible outcome in this unfortunate situation.”
“This is a difficult moment, but also time to regroup,” said Ward 4 Councillor Jamie McGrail. “I will be taking my direction through municipal administration, but make no mistake, I will continue to engage and fight alongside Dresden and the Municipality as we move forward with the ECA process.”
