I am writing as a concerned…

I am writing as a concerned resident of Dresden, Ontario, to formally object to the proposal to remove Environmental Screening Process (ESP) requirements for changes to landfill service areas and fill rates. This proposal creates a dangerous "regulatory gap" that directly threatens the safety and democratic rights of our community.

Key Point 1: Loss of Necessary Environmental Oversight
Removing the requirement for an Environmental Screening Process (ESP) means that massive increases in fill rates—such as those proposed for the York1 site in Dresden—will no longer face the rigorous "look before you leap" assessment that protects our groundwater and local ecosystem. Relying solely on an ECA amendment is insufficient for sites like ours that have been dormant for decades and sit on sensitive hydrogeological lands.

Key Point 2: Violation of Public Consultation Rights
By exempting these changes from the requirement to post on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), the Ministry is effectively silencing the people who will be most affected by increased truck traffic, noise, and potential contamination. This proposal removes our right to appeal decisions that fundamentally change the nature of our town, which I believe is a violation of the spirit of the Environmental Bill of Rights.

Key Point 3: Ignoring Local Safety Risks (UXO & Section 7)
Our community has documented risks of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and historical toxic waste at the local landfill site. "Streamlining" the process to allow for higher fill rates without a full environmental assessment ignores these physical safety risks. I am aligned with the 14 First Nations who argue that removing these protections is a violation of Charter rights to life and security of the person.

Key Point 4: Alignment with Bill C-226 (Environmental Racism)
The federal government has now passed Bill C-226, recognizing that the placement and expansion of landfills near marginalized and rural communities can constitute environmental racism. This provincial proposal to reduce oversight works in direct opposition to the federal mandate to ensure environmental justice and transparency.

Closing Request:
I urge the Ministry to withdraw this proposal as it relates to sites located within 10 km of a residential community or those with significant historical safety concerns. At a minimum, the Ministry must maintain the right of residents to appeal ECA amendments and ensure that full Environmental Assessments remain mandatory for any landfill seeking a significant increase in waste volume.

Sincerely,
Concerned Dresden Resident