Bill 5 must be amended to…

Bill 5 must be amended to exclude the section involving the Dresden landfill and York 1. Allowing this bill to pass as written would set a dangerous precedent for rural communities across Ontario.

Dormant landfills must be subject to the same rigorous process as new proposals when amendments exceed 25% of the existing capacity or introduce different types of waste. Bypassing proper environmental assessment (EA) for a landfill located just 800 meters from the town of Dresden is unacceptable. This landfill has never undergone an EA and has not received the due process required for responsible environmental decision-making.

Eliminating the EA process also eliminates the voice of the 3,100 souls of Dresden and their municipality. These communities deserve to be heard, and their health and environment must be protected with the same diligence afforded to urban centers.

Let us take a moment to act responsibly—for the people of Dresden, for rural Ontario, and for the integrity of our environmental stewardship. Waste management is critical, but not at the cost of public health and environmental safety.