By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff says the municipality will do everything in its power to fight the expansion of the Dresden dump.
“We need to come together as a community to fight this,” a disgruntled Canniff told The Voice. “Myself, council and municipal staff are going to do everything we can.”
Canniff comments come on the heels of the Ford government’s announcement it has tabled legislation to remove the environmental assessment (EA) requirement put on the project by the Ministry of the Environment last year.
“We’re in shock and anger right now,” Canniff said. “What rights do we have as a municipality?”
As part of a proposal by York1 Environmental Solutions, Dresden’s dormant landfill will be expanded to accept construction waste from the GTA. The operation, located only a kilometre away from the community, is slated to run 24/7, with an estimated 700 trucks travelling to the site each day.
According to the province, the EA needs to be removed because of the tariff threats posed by U.S. President Donald Trump. About 40 per cent of Ontario’s garbage goes to the U.S., so the province said it has to protect Ontario by increasing landfill capacity.
News of the project, which surfaced by chance early in 2024, sparked vigorous opposition. Led by grassroots advocacy group Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal (C.A.R.E.D.) the community pushed back, helping bring about the EA requirement.
North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville also voiced her displeasure, calling the move “environmentally irresponsible” and “shady.”
“I think it is horrendous,” she said, adding the Ford government is using Trump’s tariff threats as a “guise” to push the project through.
“To me it’s picking on small-town, rural Ontario,” Jubenville said.
Leaders in nearby communities also expressed their dismay.
Alan Broad, mayor of neighbouring Dawn-Euphemia Township, said in an email he’s “very frustrated.
“They promise one thing, then change it up,” Broad stated. “Seems like the tariff excuse for the government decision is replacing the COVID excuses.”
Lambton County warden Kevin Marriott echoed Broad, calling the province’s decision “extremely disappointing.
“We will be discussing it and I’ll see if we can get it on the agenda for the May 7 (Lambton) council meeting,” he said.
Canniff said next steps for the municipality include holding a public meeting in Dresden so residents can find out what they can do to help.
The municipality has also engaged law firm Garrod Pickfield, specialists in environment, municipal and planning law.
Those who want to officially oppose the government’s action are invited to submit their concerns to the Environmental Registry of Ontario at ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0389.
Submissions will be accepted until May 17.
