As a resident of Chatham…

As a resident of Chatham Kent who frequents Dresden for my children’s activities and eventually where they will attend high school. I strongly oppose the provincial government’s proposal to remove environmental assessment (EA) requirements for the York1 waste project through the proposed Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. This move is deeply troubling and unacceptable for our community.

Revoking Ontario Regulation 284/24 and eliminating the EA process for the former Dresden Tile Yard landfill project not only undermines environmental oversight, but it also puts the health and safety of local residents at risk. The environmental assessment process exists for a reason: to ensure that projects of this scale are thoroughly reviewed for their potential impacts on air, water, soil, and community well-being. Skipping this critical step is reckless, especially in a region like Chatham-Kent that has already dealt with significant environmental concerns.

Our community has the right to be consulted and to have our voices heard. Resuming and expanding waste operations at this site without proper environmental review disregards our concerns and sets a dangerous precedent for how waste projects are handled in Ontario. This is not just a local issue—it’s a matter of environmental justice and responsible governance.

We deserve transparency, proper consultation, and a full environmental review before any decisions are made. Dresden should not become a dumping ground due to political expedience or pressure from the U.S. waste market.

I urge the province to reconsider this proposal and uphold the environmental protections that safeguard our community, our land, and our future.