As a resident of Uxbridge, I…

As a resident of Uxbridge, I have long had grave concerns around the extensive aggregate mining pits surrounding us. Of primary importance to me is the environmental impact these operations have on our land, our water, and our roads. But with this particular proposal come new, and urgent, concerns for me regarding oversight and precedence. As UMALA succinctly details, Miller Paving is attempting to remove itself from MNRF oversight; in my view, the Township of Uxbridge absolutely cannot and should not be expected to effectively monitor, assess, and impose penalties in the case of non-compliance. The MNRF has been given the authority to oversee these complicated operations and apply consistent standards and enforcement; it is simply not feasible to expect our township to understand the nuances involved. And as Miller Paving has been non-compliant with the Ministry since 2010, why on earth would we expect them to comply with a township order, were one to be issued? As we saw in neighbouring Brock Township in the case of the Greenbank Airport, private industry willfully ignores environmental regulations when it suits. We at least need the weight of the MNRF behind non-compliance penalties.

Even more concerning to me, however, is the precedent that a decision to move jurisdiction to the Township of Uxbridge would have for future applications. With a strong law background, I know how powerful precedent is, and if on this Application we open the door to transferring oversight and enforcement away from the very Ministry whose job it is to perform these duties, we start going down a very slippery and in my view, dangerous, slope.

On so many levels, I am strongly opposed to this Application.