While the passage of controversial legislation may pave the way for a dormant landfill to reopen near Dresden, those in opposition say the fight isn’t over.
Local advocacy group Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal (C.A.R.E.D.) held a rally Thursday afternoon at Rotary Park in Dresden to protest Bill 5 and the proposed landfill development, which is located just outside of town.
The event featured several speakers, including Chatham-Kent Ward 4 councillors Rhonda Jubenville and Jamie McGrail, Walpole Island Chief Leela Thomas, and Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles. Each representative provided an update on the ongoing fight against the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025,” known as Bill 5. The legislation passed third reading on June 4 and has since received royal assent, despite significant pushback from environmental groups, First Nations communities, and opposition parties.
As part of the legislation, comprehensive environmental assessment (EA) requirements for a long-dormant landfill at 29831 Irish School Rd. are no longer required, allowing the property owners, York1 Waste Solutions, to fast-track plans to reopen and expand the site for waste processing.
Stiles told the roughly 150 people who attended the rally that extreme opposition will be needed to force the Ford government to repeal the bill.
“[Premier] Doug Ford might have decided to take a vacation until October 20, but I’m going to work real hard all summer and fall to get the word out and build the opposition to Bill 5,” she said. “A big part of that is sharing the story of what is happening in Dresden… Dresden is the canary in the coal mine; it’s the first example of how this bill can be used in communities all across the province.”
Stiles also accused Ford of exploiting the economic impact of U.S.-imposed tariffs to justify his government’s actions.
“Doug Ford thinks he can use the threats of [U.S. President] Donald Trump and the fear people are feeling right now as an excuse to bring [forward] this legislation,” said Stiles “This landfill is all about making some of Doug Ford’s donors happy, that’s all this has ever been about.”
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and council have been unanimously against the proposed Irish School Road for more than a year.
During Thursday’s rally, Councillor Jubenville said Chatham-Kent has recently informed York1 of the municipality’s position under The Planning Act, indicating that the Mississauga-based company will need council approval to move forward with certain aspects of its landfill development.
“They require applications, which means they need to come to the municipality, they need to come to Chatham-Kent Council,” said Jubenville. “We have received no applications from York1… they haven’t applied for any zoning applications or anything.”
In an emailed statement sent to CKXS News, York1 spokesperson Laryssa Waler said the Irish School Road property is already zoned for waste management uses under existing Environmental Compliance Approvals. However, if future phases of the project require municipal approvals, Waler said York1 will engage with the municipality well in advance and “follow the normal public‑notice and consultation processes.”
York1 has also been notified by the municipality that bylaw enforcement officers will be attending the Irish School Road site to monitor for any potential bylaw or zoning infractions.
In June, York1 moved several pieces of heavy equipment into the Dresden-area site to carry out prep and safety work.
“All current activity is limited to site clean‑up and preparation allowed under the standing ECA,” said Waler. “Subsequently, for 2025, we will operate the site under the existing non-amended ECA for waste transfer & processing. Operations will be similar to the previous operator, Waste Wood Disposal Ltd.”
An Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) is a permission that allows businesses to operate their facility or site with environmental controls.
Waler said York1 intends to apply to amend the existing ECA to transition the site into a regenerative recycling facility that will handle non‑hazardous construction and demolition material.
“We would expect to receive an amended ECA for waste transfer [in] late 2026,” said Waler. “Construction of a new modernized Regenerative Recycling Facility could potentially start in 2027.”
