Ontario’s environment minister has committed to improving communication with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent regarding the proposed Dresden landfill project.
During the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference earlier this week, a delegation of CK councillors and municipal staff met with Todd McCarthy, the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, to seek clear direction on how provincial decisions on the York1 waste facility will be made, how project details will be shared, and how community input will be gathered.
According to Ward 4 Councillor Jamie McGrail, who was in attendance, the delegation requested that the municipality be involved and included in communication with the province throughout the Accelerated Environmental Assessment (EA) process for the site on Irish School Road.
“I am pleased to say that our message was heard,” said McGrail in a social media post. “Minister McCarthy committed to ensuring we will be included going forward through appointed members of his team. He also acknowledged that the Accelerated EA process is not simply a “green light,” but a serious and structured process that York 1 must fully comply with.”
In her statement to Minister McCarthy, McGrail said communication regarding next steps, timelines, and expectations of the landfill project has been almost non-existent from York1 and the provincial government.
“This lack of clarity is creating growing anxiety, stress, and uncertainty for residents in Dresden and the surrounding communities — not to mention neighbouring municipalities who will also be affected,” McGrail told the minister. “I truly believe there are better answers to the landfill shortage — answers that come from municipalities and the province working together, collaboratively and transparently. A big part of that partnership must include open communication, which has been missing in this process.”
York1 is planning to construct and operate a waste disposal and regenerative recycling facility at the Irish School Road property that would hold up to 1.62 million cubic meters of non-hazardous solid construction and demolition waste. The Mississauga-based company also plans to expand the existing waste transfer station from 0.8 hectares to 25 hectares, to accept up to 3,000 tonnes of recyclable materials and 1,000 tonnes of non-hazardous solid waste per day.
The reopening of the long-dormant landfill site has sparked significant pushback from local residents, the municipality, environmental groups, and provincial opposition parties.