Editor: Thank you to all of the concerned local citizens who have spoken out against the proposed Dresden landfill.
I would suggest that everyone also take a good look at why this landfill proposal has come back to haunt us.
On April 17, the provincial government tabled Bill 5 – the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,” which proports to improve Ontario’s capacity in response to U.S. tariffs. This bill allows the minister to create special “economic zones” where existing provincial and municipal laws do not apply, and exempts developments in these areas from the regulations which were put in place to protect us.
If passed, Bill 5 will repeal the Endangered Species Act and create regulation free zones in order to “speed up” development and avoid environmental assessments. And these exemptions are not just for environmental issues – they could apply to heritage and health and safety regulations as well.
This bill also affects the rights of Indigenous Ontarians by ending archeological assessment requirements that would identify areas of cultural and historical significance.
So, remember, Bill 5 is not just about the landfill – which will, without any doubt, endanger the environment surrounding Molly’s Creek and the Sydenham River. It is also about our government disguising overreach and control as “protection.” And Bill 5 will not just mean the destruction of the environmental gem we have in our backyard, it will affect lakes and forests and rivers all over the province.
I encourage everyone to contact the provincial government to let them know that you oppose Bill 5. Write your MPP or reach out to organizations such as Environmental Defense for links to petitions. This is not just about our backyard anymore – it will affect all of Ontario, and we need to speak up.
Susan Jeffrey
Chatham-Kent
