I STRONGLY oppose Bill 5 as…

I STRONGLY oppose Bill 5 as it bypasses comprehensive environmental assessment, consultation with local citizens, and other important safeguards. The proposed landfill less than 1 km from the town of Dresden will put our farming community, water supply, fragile species, and health of its citizens at risk.

The town of Dresden is located on the Sydenham River, and the potential harm to this species-rich watershed would push some of Ontario’s rarest aquatic life closer to extinction. The nearby river’s eastern branch, which flows further down into Wallaceburg and the First Nations of Walpole Island, is its most biodiverse area. Further impact would be felt downstream as water flows to Lake St. Clair onward to Lake Erie.

The rich agricultural area surrounding this proposed project is also at risk. I know first-hand from growing up on a farm just outside of Dresden how intensive agriculture is in this area. Farmers produce vegetable and cash crops on the prime agricultural land and raise livestock. Beyond water and soil contamination, a giant landfill would add noise and air pollution. Furthermore, the combination of farm equipment travelling county roads and transport trucks carrying garbage on 24 hour/7 days a week basis is a recipe for disaster. It is estimated that 700 trucks carrying waste will be travelling to the proposed landfill site each day. Road safety is already a concern especially during planting and harvesting seasons. Two schools are located within 3 km of the landfill site, raising more safety concerns with trucks potentially using school bus routes.

The location for a large landfill less than 1 km from the small historic town of Dresden and 31 km away from the 401 is immoral. Located on a biodiverse watershed and surrounded by rich agricultural land, it should be protected and not destroyed. The bullies in our provincial government need to rethink their actions and scrap this Bill.