An online group is encouraging the Dresden community to come together and join hands in solidarity against legislation that will permit the reopening of a dormant landfill.
Organized by the group Dresden Ontario Reaching Out, area residents have been invited to join a peaceful human chain protest at 1 p.m. on August 10. The group hopes the chain will stretch from St. George Street to Irish School Road, where the landfill is located.
Tractor owners are also expected to line the street across from the human chain.
The one-hour protest is being held in the hope of bringing further attention to the community’s opposition to the province’s Bill 5, which was passed into law in June.
The legislation gives the provincial government the ability to create “special economic zones” that override provincial and municipal regulations.
The legislation also includes a provision that removes the need for a comprehensive environmental assessment at a long-dormant landfill at 29831 Irish School Rd. near Dresden. The move will allow the property owners, York1 Waste Solutions, to fast-track its plans to reopen and expand the site for waste processing.
York1’s plans have been met with significant public opposition since they were made public in early 2024. Chatham-Kent Council and municipal administration have also unanimously opposed the project in any form.
For more information about the human chain event, visit the group’s Facebook page by clicking here.