Landmark Day in the Battle Against the Dump

Thursday, 16 July 2020 11:38

Environment Minister Jeff Yurek and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Ernie Hardeman joined local politicians and volunteers who have been fighting against a proposed landfill in downtown Ingersoll to celebrate Bill 197.

INGERSOLL - Today was a landmark day for the volunteers who have fighting against a proposed landfill in Zorra Township near Ingersoll.

Environment Minister Jeff Yurek and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Ernie Hardeman joined local politicians in downtown Ingersoll to celebrate Bill 197, which when passed will mean anyone wanting to build a landfill will have to get agreement from any municipality located within 3 and a half kilometres of the facility.

The decision to allow municipalities a say when it comes to the location of a landfill does not conflict with the provincial government's message of jobs, jobs, jobs. Yurek says although the jobs will not be coming to Oxford County, the government is committed to find a way to combine the economy and the environment.

"It's a tough balance to make, but we are balancing a strong healthy economy with a strong healthy environment. We still feel there will be more opportunity for landfills to be built, but they are going to work more closely with municipalities involved and ensure that the sighting of the landfills meets the needs of the people that are going to be affected by it."

Yurek says the Bill will be back on the floor of the provincial legislature on Monday and hopefully will be passed before the end of the week which is when the House is supposed to adjourn for the summer.

Minister Hardeman says the provision in Bill 197 that allows any municipality within 3 and a half kilometres of a dump a say in whether or not it is built forces more cooperation on companies and communities.

"The debate some will say is that we will never find another landfill site if we have to follow those rules and I totally disagree with that. If you make sure the people that are proposing landfill sites, the first thing they do is find a willing host, they don't waste all their time and effort preparing a site that can't be approved."

Hardeman says this Bill was years in the making.

“I welcome the proposed changes which would allow municipalities like those here in Oxford more of a say in the location of future landfill sites. We have long been advocating to give local councils the right to approve the location of new landfills in their communities and I am very pleased that our government plans to fulfill a direct commitment to provide greater autonomy to Ontario’s municipalities on this important issue.”

Oxford County Warden Larry Martin says today was a very important day.

“This initiative marks a significant milestone for the many people and groups who have been advocating for our communities to have a say in their future. On behalf of County Council, thank you to the Province, to our mayors, and to our citizens for seeing this commitment through. Now, our residents can know that their feedback and the public dialogue can have greater impact.”

(Article Submitted by Brian Donlevy)