In light of the current…

In light of the current climate crisis, there are many fundamental changes that need to be addressed regarding the current Aggregate Act. First and foremost, there needs to be greater public engagement. When notice is given of a proposed quarry on land within/adjacent to a municipality the entire community should be notified. Where quarries are proposed below the water table and in close proximity to provincially significant wetlands, water protection needs to be strengthened. Ongoing monitoring and reporting of water quality needs to be more frequent, 5-year reports to the public are too long a wait. These reports should be produced every year. Regular monitoring of connected water systems should be done by the proponent daily and reported to an environment minister immediately following any adverse changes to water quality. Water tests should also be conducted by the appropriate ministry on a random monthly basis. Setbacks to adjacent provincially significant wetlands needs to be increased to 120 metre minimum. Wetlands are the kidneys of mother earth that filter the water supply to all living things, and not exclusively humans. Species at risk need to be addressed as well. "Pay to Kill" fees are unacceptable! Wildlife extinction due to pollution, poor air quality and habitat destruction cannot continue. These species are "at risk" and need us to protect them and their habitats. Once they are gone they are gone. No fee can bring them back! So where there are species at risk no development should take place until thorough scientific-based field studies are conducted by an unbiased, reputable third party such as a university. Safe guards such as the ones proposed above can only help in a small way to help sustain our environment and combat climate change. After all, it is the defining issue of our times. Responsible governance of aggregate extraction must promote sustainability over the "need" for money and greed. Our future depends on it.