Doug Ford dumps on Dresden

By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Ford government wants to protect Ontario against Donald Trump’s tariff threats – but not the community of Dresden.

That’s the conclusion reached by the head of a citizen’s group opposed to the revitalization and expansion of a landfill near the southwestern Ontario community.

Dresden Citizen’s Against Reckless Environmental Disposal chair Stefan Premdas, following the news that the province wants to fast-track the reactivation of a long-idled dump without an environmental assessment, was furious.

In the surprising about face, the province announced April 17 it has tabled legislation to remove the EA requirements for York1 Environmental Waste Solutions’ proposal to “resume landfill operations and expand waste handling, processing and transfer operations” at the former Dresden Tile Yard on Irish School Road. It sits less than a kilometre north of the community.

The provincial statement said the project will instead be subject to environmental permits.

According to the province, “roughly 40 per cent” of waste generated by Ontario businesses is exported to the United States.

“With the continued threats of border interruptions and tariffs, we can no longer afford to depend on the U.S. for this critical function, which is why we are building the capacity we need here at home, quickly, on a site that has been historically used for waste disposal.”

“Doug Ford is using the threats of Donald Trump to destroy our town,” Premdas said, but admitted he’s not surprised.

According to Premdas, federal trade deals exclude waste from trade and tariffs, as it is seen as a necessity.

“This has never been brought up by Trump, so why is the premier taking such an extreme measure that will harm agri-business and their international trade partners,” he questioned, adding it will also as damage the community and quality of life.

“I’ve been fearing this all along,” Premdas added. “How dare the premier say that we don’t have to have this if we don’t want it, and use this weak excuse to backtrack on his own words and legislation.”

Last March, Ford, speaking to a reporter in Windsor on the issue, said, “If the people like something, we do it. If they don’t, we don’t do it. It’s about as simple as that.”

Prior to Thursday’s announcement, Premdas said workers were on sight on Irish School Road putting up orange marker flags around Molly’s Creek earlier in the day.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines announcement came down at 2 p.m.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has affirmed it will fight. Following the announcement posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario, Chatham-Kent issued a press release stating the mayor, council and administration are “prepared to fight” the waste facility proposal, noting expert lawyers and engineers have already been retained.

“We are extremely concerned about the recently announced direction the province is considering regarding environmental assessments,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff, adding he wants to make it clear Chatham-Kent will “continue to fight with every tool available.”

The province’s announcement, under the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, is the latest development in a 14-month long controversy pitting the community against Mississauga-based York1. A grassroots uprising has vaulted the project into the environmental spotlight with groups such as Environmental Defense Canada coming to Dresden’s aid.

The original proposal laid out by York1 would see the construction of a recycling facility, a leachate ponding system and an expansion of the existing landfill. If approved, the York1 project would run 24/7 with as many as 700 trucks coming to the site daily.

Along with Chatham-Kent, the Township of Dawn-Euphemia and Lambton County are all strongly opposed, as is Nature CK.

As a result of public pressure last year, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Andrea Khanjin said a full-scale environmental assessment will be conducted on the York1 proposal.

Ironically, the provincial report states the landfill proposal is being made by York1 Environmental Solutions Ltd. However, in February 2025, the property was sold to Whitestone Fields Ltd. However, Whitestone is linked to York1, as one of the owners is listed as Brian Brunetti, York1’s current COO.

A 30-day comment period on the proposed legislation is open until May 17.