I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed removal of Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements for the York1 Waste Disposal Site Project. Environmental assessments are a critical tool for ensuring that large-scale waste projects are planned and implemented responsibly, with due consideration for public health, ecological impacts, and community well-being.

By exempting the York1 project from the EA process, the government is eliminating a key layer of transparency, accountability, and public participation. Waste disposal sites can have serious and long-lasting effects on surrounding land, air, and water systems, not to mention on nearby communities and wildlife. The EA process helps identify these risks in advance, ensures proper mitigation strategies are in place, and allows local residents, Indigenous communities, and environmental experts to weigh in.

Removing EA requirements sends a clear message: that speed and private sector convenience are being prioritized over public interest and environmental protection. This is not how responsible development is done, especially in an era when Ontario must be doing more—not less—to safeguard ecosystems and public trust.

I urge the government to reverse this decision and require a full environmental assessment for the York1 Waste Disposal Site Project. Ontario’s waste management strategy must be grounded in science, sustainability, and public accountability—not rushed through without proper review.