Re: Proposals to amend O.Reg…

Re: Proposals to amend O.Reg. 244/97 and the Aggregate Resources of Ontario Provincial Standards under the Aggregate Resources Act ERO# 19-1303

Gravel Watch Ontario is a province-wide coalition of citizens’ groups and individuals that acts in the interests of residents and communities to protect the health, safety, quality of life of Ontarians and the natural environment in matters that relate to aggregate resources. Formed in 2003 we have over 15 years of experience in advising both communities and government agencies working on aggregate matters.

We appreciate the opportunity to comment on these proposed changes to the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) Regulations and associated Provincial Standards. In addition to our written submission included in the attached document, we strongly recommended that additional consultation activities take place before this work is finalized. Aggregate policy can be controversial, and it is important that we get it right. In particular we call for a small group multi-stakeholder working session where policy makers can hear the perspectives and concerns from key stakeholders in a shared session. Such forums have been convened in the past and we believe that they provided a distinct opportunity for decision makers to evaluate any differing perspectives in order to chart the best way forward.

Should you have any questions or would like to discuss our comments in more detail, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
Graham Flint, B.A.Sc, P. Eng

President
Gravel Watch Ontario
c/o Lawson Park Ltd. Box 15
322 Concession 11 Road East, RR#1 Freelton
Ontario L8B 1J1

http://www.GravelWatch.org
mailto:grahamflint@gravelwatch.org