As a resident of Chatham…

As a resident of Chatham-Kent with close family in Dresden, I strongly oppose the proposed landfill and waste facility at 29831 Irish School Road.

We are hearing that this proposal is being rushed forward based on fears of potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian waste under the Donald Trump presidency. But this is a deeply flawed and dangerous justification for placing a massive landfill so close to a vibrant community. At this point, there are no actual tariffs on garbage — only speculation. It is reckless and irresponsible to gamble with the health of an entire town based on hypothetical scenarios.

You don’t throw away the safety of children, families, farmers, and an entire town “just in case” tariffs happen. This proposed site is just over 800 metres from the town of Dresden, dangerously close to two schools, homes, farmland, and Indigenous communities. There is a well-established reason landfills should be located at least 3.5 km away from residential areas — to protect people from long-term health risks, environmental damage, and the effects of constant industrial traffic.

This community is not expendable, and Dresden is not a dumping ground, regardless of whether or not tariffs come into play.

Furthermore, Chatham-Kent already hosts a major landfill — the Ridge Landfill — and has contributed significantly to the province’s infrastructure and development goals. Asking our municipality to bear another waste facility — especially one led by a company with a history of environmental and workplace violations — is simply unfair.

Please do not allow fear-based politics or corporate pressure to override science, planning, and public safety. Do not repeal Ontario Regulation 284/24. A full Environmental Assessment is absolutely necessary and must remain in place. If this project can’t pass it — then it doesn’t belong here.