I must say, as a local…

I must say, as a local resident of Caledon, I am continually astounded at the province's flagrant disregard for the conservation, preservation and protection of our ecologically sensitive landscape. Caledon is in the Greenbelt, as well as the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, and yet, development appears to be a policy priority rather than protecting the environmental services that this area provides for Ontario. Housing developments that will destroy wildlife habitat, sewage treatment plants that will decimate one of the last self sustaining brook trout populations, and now changes to the Land Use Compatibility Guideline that, if implemented will further damage this most valuable environment.

I am appalled. I am also embarrassed to live in a province that shows such indifference for the environment and the people's voices who try to share knowledge and information to our government decision makers.

For the record, I support the recent letter and supporting documentation sent to you by the West Caledon Communities Aggregate Group (July 28th, 2021).

I respectfully request,

that the MECP remove the unwarranted exemption from application of the Area of Influence (AOI) and Minimum Separation Distance (MSD) in the Guideline to land use decisions for new or expanding aggregate operations proposed near sensitive land uses.
that MECP acknowledge “flyrock” (the ultimate adverse effect of blasting quarry operations) as a contaminant, pursuant to the 2013 Supreme Court of Canada ruling in Castonguay Blasting Ltd. v. Ontario (Environment);[1] and
that MECP’s AOI (Area of Influence) and MSD (Minimum Separation Distance) apply to all major facilities, including new and expanding quarry operations, and sensitive land uses.

Please consider the 7th Generation Philosophy of the Haudenosaunee in all your decision making. This philosophy intensifies the bond of community, promotes stability, and provides concrete values with which each person can test his or her everyday actions. Although the Haudenosaunee practice ancient traditions, their culture is not frozen in the past. Their ability to adapt to dramatic change and survive on their own terms is historically proven, but they are equally focused on the security of future generations.

If you can focus on the security of future generations who can live here - human and otherwise - you will have a better foundation with which to make decisions about land use.

Thank you for your time reading this comment.