We are concerned about what…

We are concerned about what is being proposed via Bill 71, Building More Mines Act it represents concerning changes that affect us all directly and indirectly.

It very much looks to be the provincial government fast-tracking and bypassing permits and approvals for new mining operations. Doing so will further weaken the already questionable environmental protection and rehabilitation requirements that would cause health concerns to residents, companion animals, livestock, and wildlife, irreversible environmental impacts, the presence of critical species at risk habitat, biodiversity loss, sacrificing nature-based solutions to climate change when they are so needed, pollution, noise, visual intrusion and insufficient consultation with Indigenous communities. The rehabilitation of mining operations can take well over 100 years.

Health Concerns

Mining and quarries create invisible dust particles that mine/quarry workers, residents (including the vulnerable sector infants, youth, and seniors) and visitors would be exposed to that are proven to cause many health concerns both short-term and long-term as well as silicosis. This is a progressive, incurable lung disease. Long-term exposure to particulate matter is strongly associated with heart disease, stroke, infertility, and pregnancy complications. Mining and quarrying pose a danger to workers due to injuries caused by rocks falling on the workers, accidents during the use of machinery, and dust exposure, which is the main cause of respiratory and pulmonary problems, in addition to eye problems. Respirable dust is an invisible threat to a community exposed to quarrying and mining.

Further Concerns

Large-scale mining ventures present major concerns to the environment, and wildlife in the form of contamination of the watershed and the destruction of the forest and wetlands that support both terrestrial and aquatic species. Mining activities such as seismic blasting, road building, toxic dust, and more could damage turtle/wildlife habitat and neighboring communities would feel the effects of biodiversity losses that impact all that depend on and benefit from the goods and services provided.

Mining /quarrying can be very destructive to the environment and result in sinkhole formation, erosion, contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water by chemicals from extraction processes, and also possible fuel spills, etc. from trucks moving across the site. In addition to environmental damage contamination resulting from chemical leakage (if used) can affect the health of the local population. Acidic oxidation occurs during the mining process when certain minerals come in contact with air and water. The acid increases water acidity, having an acute and chronic effect on humans and wildlife. The overall noise, dust, and all manner of quarry-related activities would affect the quality of life and cause adverse health concerns for residents nearby and beyond.

The destructive and harmful properties a mining/quarrying would invite into a community stand to compromise people's health, cause biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse that would affect the immediate and surrounding area. This is a time the provincial government should be looking to strengthen environmental protections not looking for a way around them to implement mining practices faster. The short-term gain comes at too high a price.

We would ask that the provincial government reconsider the strategies they are proposing via Bill 71. Please consider the well-being of the people of Ontario and help preserve the biodiversity and ecosystems we all rely on for even the most basic requirement, clean air to breathe and water to drink.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Notice #019-6715 and for your consideration in this matter.