I strongly oppose this…

I strongly oppose this amendment to the Permit to Take Water at Walker Pit.

The proposed 24/7, year-round extraction of up to 7.9 million litres of water per day — from a Category 3 source with the highest potential for environmental impact — is deeply concerning. The long-term consequences of this level of industrial water-taking could be devastating to the surrounding ecosystem and community.

This area is home to the Saugeen and Styx Rivers, which support rich biodiversity, sensitive wetlands, and the natural balance of the watershed. These water systems are not just environmental assets — they are community lifelines. Families swim in these rivers, campgrounds and outdoor education programs rely on them to teach children about nature and conservation, and nearby farms depend on them to maintain healthy soil and crops.

Removing this volume of clean freshwater around the clock for the next 10 years — potentially multiplied by other similar applications — risks irreversible ecological damage, disruption of groundwater levels, and harm to aquatic life, including endangered species. It also sets a dangerous precedent for future water-taking amendments that could go equally unnoticed without community notification.

The public was not adequately informed, and the timing of this application at the 11th hour limits the ability for affected residents to respond. This lack of transparency and accountability is unacceptable, especially when the stakes are this high.

We must prioritize environmental protection, community well-being, and sustainable water use. I urge the Ministry to reject this application and require a full environmental assessment and proper community consultation.